Hope Road gets well-deserved Grade 1 win in Ballerina S.

Hope Road proved she was worthy of competing against the best of her division with a clear-cut win in Saturday’s $500,000 Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga, replicating her dam Marley Road’s victory some seven years ago.

Hope Road was very reluctant to load in the starting gate, but once the race commenced, she put herself in a good position just two lengths off the lead down the backstretch. Scylla, the early leader, came under pressure from Hope Road around the bend, and ultimately could not hold off the eventual winner, who strode clear in the final furlong to win by two lengths in 1:21.93 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

“I’m so proud of [her],” said trainer Bob Baffert. “She deserved a Grade I. Jose [Ortiz] rode her perfectly. He had here in a nice spot turning for home–I was hoping she was fit enough to go because training at Del Mar and training [here] is a little bit different, it’s more taxing at Saratoga–but she ran her race.”

Hope Road is owned by her breeder Cicero Farms LLC, who Baffert also trained.

“I’m so happy for the owners–I won that race with her mother [Marley’s Freedom] and they really appreciate those big wins like that. It’s pretty rare to do that. They’re passionate owners and horse crazy.”

A two-time Grade 3 winner prior to Saturday, Hope Road is now 5-4-1 in 12 starts and has earned $866,620.