Dublin takes Hopeful Stakes; Mushka wins Glens Falls Stakes as NYRA’s Saratoga meet ends

Dublin takes Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Dublin took the lead with less than three-sixteenths of a mile to go and won the $300,000 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds by two lengths Monday at Saratoga Race Course.

With Jamie Theriot in the saddle, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt ran a tepid favorite in a field of 11. Dublin ran seven furlongs in 1:23.52 and earned $180,000 for owners Robert Baker and Earl Mack while moving to the top of the Eastern 2-year-old division.

Dublin paid $8.20, $5.80 and $3.80. Runner-up Aspire paid $8.40 and $3.20, and Aikenite paid $10.40 to show.

Also Monday, Mushka, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, took the lead leaving the stretch turn and drew away to a 1¼-length victory on the turf in the $110,500 Glens Falls Stakes fillies and mares. Trained by Bill Mott, the 4-year-old filly ran 1 1/3 miles over a firm course in 2:13.50 and earned $66,300 for owner Brushwood Stable.

Mushka paid $7.40, $4.60 and $3.20. Runner-up Lemonette paid $12.40 and $7.80. Queen of Hearts, third of 11, paid $10.40 to show.

Monday’s program was the last of the New York Racing Association’s 36-day meet at Saratoga. Ramon Dominguez was the leading rider, with 45 winning mounts. Linda Rice, who saddled 20 winners, was the leading trainer, the first woman to win that title at any New York track.