Salt Lake Wins Hopeful by Nine

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Salt Lake took the lead at the start and maintained a clear advantage throughout en route to a nine-length victory in the 86th running of the $200,000 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds at Saratoga.

Slew’s Ghost was second in the nine-horse field, a head ahead of favored Caller I.D.

In the co-featured $155,350 Saratoga Budweiser Breeder’s Cup for horses 3-years-old and up, Solar Splendor held on in the final yards for a nose victory over Who’s To Pay.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Salt Lake redeemed himself for a disappointing sixth place finish behind Caller I.D. in his last start, the Sanford Stakes.

It was the third victory in four career starts for Salt Lake, who earned $120,000 for owner William T. Young and, coupled with Big Sur, returned $5.00, $3.40 and $2.20.