Erratic juvenile almost throws it away for Lukas

Report: USA, Monday

Saratoga: Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1) 7f | dirt | 2yo

Two days after his 82nd birthday, legendary trainer D Wayne Lukas landed his first Grade 1 victory for nearly three years as Sporting Chance (Luis Saez) took the Hopeful Stakes, the $350,000 highlight of the US Labor Day bank holiday programme.

It was a dramatic victory, too, as the son of dual-Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow ducked violently away from his jockey's whip inside the last 50 yards, almost throwing the race away. He had to survive an objection – admittedly, more than a little optimistic, even allowing for American rules – from Robby Albarado, who partnered runner-up Free Drop Billy.

Although that horse was beaten only a neck after diving at the wire alongside third-placed Givemeaminit, there was no interference as 11-2 chance Sporting Chance stepped up on his maiden victory to take control turning for home, looking sure to win comfortably before his erratic behaviour in the final-furlong drive.

"I thought he was comfortable in front and he was moving well," said Lukas after his eighth victory in an historic race, won by Triple Crown winners Whirlaway, Secretariat and Affirmed in the past.

"Unfortunately, he saw something – I guess Luis explained that he ducked from the whip, I'm not sure," added Lukas, whose last Grade 1 success had come with Take Charge Brandi in the Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos in December 2014.

. "I have a tendency to think it might have been something else you never know. You want everything to go smooth. I don't think it diminished his quality any, I think we'll move forward from this. Stuff like this is very correctable."

Dale Romans, who trained Free Drop Billy, let his feelings be known about what he described as "horrible decision" from the stewards.

"You can't tell with a two-year-old who's run three times in his life and a horse bolts in front of him how much it stops his momentum," he said. "If they all stay straight, he may run right past him. He gets beat a head with a horse that bolts right in front him. That’s a ridiculous call."

Sporting Chance stopped the clock in 1m43.71s. Normally, one might expect the Hopeful winner to become a natural contender for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, a race Lukas has won a record five times (though not since 1996).

Lukas isn't sure. "I might try to go straight to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile but I'm not real fond of Del Mar," he said.

"I know that sounds crazy but I'm going to weigh all our chances. Another logical spot would be the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and go two turns, another Grade 1."

>>The Saratoga trainers' title went down to the wire, with Todd Pletcher regaining top spot with 40 winners, tying the record set last term by Chad Brown, who was just one behind on this occasion. Pletcher was winning the prestigious Saratoga title for the 13th time; leading jockey was Jose Ortiz won his second straight riding title with 58 victories.

Also on Monday

Del Mar: Del Mar Futurity (Grade 1) 7f | dirt | 2yo

Ruis Racing's Bolt D'Oro and Corey Nakatani, right, outpoint Zatter to land the Del Mar FuturityCredit: Benoit Photo

Overcoming an awkward start, Bolt D'Oro (Mick Ruis/Corey Nakatani), charged from the rear to win the first Grade 1 of the season for juvenile males in California on the closing day of the summer meet at Breeders' Cup venue Del Mar.

After being asked to improve five wide on the turn, the near 4-1 shot wore down Zetter to score by three-quarters of a length. The FrontRunner at Santa Anita beckons as a Breeders' Cup prep.

"I had this horse maybe 70 per cent cranked," said winning trainer Mick Ruis. "This wasn't the most important. It's a stepping stone to longer races. We're only going to improve."

Nearly five lengths behind the runner-up was 13-5 favourite Run Away, who suffered his first loss after three victories, denying trainer Simon Callaghan a memorable double after he won the Del Mar Debutante for two-year-old fillies with Moonshine Memories on Saturday's card.

>>Flavien Prat won the jockeys' title at the Del Mar this summer with 35 victories; training honours were shared between Phil D'Amato and Richard Baltas, who each had 18 winners.