Mucho hopes to take the next step in Hopeful

By Jeff Scott SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » One used to hear that the horse that wins the Hopeful Stakes automatically becomes the favorite for the next year’s Kentucky Derby. The Hopeful has been won by some nice 2-year-olds in recent decades, but the last horse to complete the Hopeful/Kentucky Derby double was Affirmed, and he accomplished the feat 40 years ago.

Today’s $350,000 Hopeful Stakes (G1) has drawn a field of eight, a group that includes six maiden winners, one maiden and the winner of the Sanford Stakes (G3) on the opening Saturday of the meet.

The morning-line favorite is Mucho (8-5). The son of Blame didn’t show all that much in his debut at Belmont three months ago, but his 9 3/4-length wire job here on August 4 opened some eyes, and is generally considered the most impressive performance by a 2-year-old at this summer’s meet. Like all but one horse in the field, the Claiborne Farm-Adele B. Dilschneider homebred will be trying seven furlongs for the first time.

Nitrous, a Winchell Thoroughbred homebred, has looked sharp in both career starts, coming up a neck short in his debut at five furlongs but then escaping the maiden ranks with a 3¼-length score here at 5½ furlongs. Nitrous is by Tapit out of a City Zip mare.

Sombeyay (5-1) won the Sanford from off the pace, necking Strike Silver. The son of Into Mischief is making his fourth start, with a narrow beat in the ungraded Tremont Stakes sandwiched between his maiden and Sanford triumphs.

Mind Control (5-1) runs back today off a threelength maiden win at Monmouth three weeks ago. Gregory Sacco trains the Stay Thirsty colt, a Red Oak Stable homebred.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his eighth Hopeful last summer with Sporting Chance, a 5-1 shot. Today he goes for his ninth with Derby Date (15-1 on morning line), a son of Will Take Charge who was unsuccessful in two maiden tries here at the Spa. Most recently, racing at the Hopeful’s seven furlongs, Derby date faded late, losing by three lengths.

Backtohisroots (20-1) and Thatwouldbegrand (20-1) complete the Hopeful field.