• HOME
• BLOG
• NEWS
• RACE TRACKS
• JOCKEYS
• HORSES
• HANDICAPPING
• CONTACT US
• SITE INFO
  • About Us
  • Site Credits

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Ever since his dazzling 12-length maiden win at Belmont Park nine weeks ago, a lot of people have been waiting for Boys At Tosconova to run back.

The wait ends Monday, when Boys At Tosconova faces six rivals in the Grade 1, $250,000 Hopeful Stakes, the closing-day feature on an 11-race Saratoga card. The Hopeful, run at seven furlongs, tops a card that also includes the Grade 3, $100,000 Glens Falls Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf, featuring the champion Forever Together.

On July 2, in his first start since being purchased by Mace and Samantha Siegel's Jay Em Ess Stable and turned over to trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., Boys At Tosconova roared to a 12-length victory, running five furlongs in 56.26 seconds. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

"He just surprised everybody watching him run," Dutrow said. "I don't think anybody in the world was thinking he was going to do something like that. We knew he was going to run a big race because he had been training exceptionally well."

Since coming to Saratoga, Boys At Tosconova has continued to impress Dutrow with his morning training.

"The last race he showed us he's a horse that's got one hell of a future," Dutrow said. "He's been training like that since."

Boys At Tosconova, a son of Officer, will break from post 2 under Ramon Dominguez.

Heading the list of challengers is Wine Police, a son of Speightstown who won his debut here July 24 by 7 3/4 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90. His trainer, Steve Asmussen, said he was thinking about the Hopeful with this colt since before he ran.

"We're optimistic like that," said Asmussen, who also entered Chipshot in the race. "My dad started him in Laredo, and he came into the barn at Churchill with high expectations."

Wine Police drew the advantageous outside post in the seven-horse field. He will be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan.

Nacho Saint has finished second in all three of his starts, including a 1 1/2-length loss in the Grade 2 Sanford here July 24. Javier Castellano, fighting for leading honors in the jockey standings, will ride for the first time. Nacho Saint breaks from the rail.

Settle for Medal, who finished third to Boys At Tosconova at Belmont but came back to win a maiden race here at 21-1, Stay Thirsty, and Printing Press complete the field.

Comments (0)