How to bet the 2026 Hopeful Stakes

Eight juvenile colts will travel seven-eighths over the Saratoga main strip in Sunday’s $300,000 Hopeful (G1). This is not the strongest edition of the race in its history, but the cast boasts numerous talented runners in what is a very competitive group. 

Hopeful Wagers

• $10 win and place #5 Midnight Still ($20)
• $3 trifecta 1,5 with 1,5 with 2,3 ($12)
• $2 trifecta key 5 with 1,2,3 ($12)

#5 Midnight Still was a good third on debut at Churchill Downs behind the highly regarded Balloteer on June 12, and followed that up with a dominant maiden win on this oval on July 11, when winning by a widening 6 1/4 lengths. I don’t feel that the colt defeated the strongest field in his tally, but the way he did it is what impressed me most. 

The Kinnon LaRose pupil has been assigned the rail in both runs to date and gets a much better slot today, which will aid his running style. Purchased for $350,000 as a yearling, the juvenile will appreciate the added ground in the tilt and also comes in with a bullet half-mile morning move in advance of his stakes debut. I expect the top pick to track the pace from the second flight early before being asked for his winning run at the top of the lane under Junior Alvarado. 

#1 The Good Life was never under duress in his facile debut romp on the course on July 18 and could be almost any kind going forward. Trained by Brad Cox, the bay son of exciting freshman sire Life is Good comes in fresh with five morning drills in preparation for Sunday, and I expect the red-hot Manny Franco to send the fine prospect from the break. 

#3 Booked is the most accomplished runner in the field after his Sanford (G3) score and runner-up performance in the Saratoga Special (G2) at this meeting. The speedy Steve Asmussen pupil has been first or second in all four lifetime appearances to date and has to be included beneath Ricardo Santana. 

If the Todd Pletcher-trained #2 High Official can duplicate the turn of foot he displayed on the turf to the main oval, then the son of Not This Time will be a major contender inside the final furlong. The April foal seemingly trains well on the main oval, and I like the aggressive move from a top outfit to land in this event. He should be a nice price with Javier Castellano taking the reins.