Shanghai Bobby’s sprinted away powerfully in the stretch en route 3 3/4-length victory in the $400,000 Hopeful S., Saratoga’s closing day feature on the Labor Day card.
The outstanding performance by the 2-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday vaulted his sire to the top of the 2012 Juvenile sire list. His $915,511 in progeny earnings is more than $200,000 clear of his closest purser. With four 2-year-old stakes winners, the WinStar Farm stallion also leads all 2-year-old sires in that category.
Away cleanly for the long backstretch run, Shanghai Bobby settled in fourth in the eight horse field, while Majestic Hussar and Overanalyze battled for the lead through a half-mile in :45.28 seconds. Rosie Napravnik took Shanghai Bobby three wide on the turn for a run at the leaders, drawing on even terms in upper stretch. The dark bay colt quickly drew clear from that point and was all alone in the final furlong. He completed the seven panels in 1:22.72 on the fast track.
Shanghai Bobby has the distinction of already winning races at all three New York tracks. He broke his maiden at Aqueduct in April, then came to Belmont Park to take the Track Barron S. in late June. With a perfect 3-for-3 record, Shanghai Bobby has now earned $267,000 for Jack Wolf’s Starlight Racing, who also campaigned Harlan’s Holiday.
Wolf bought Shanghai Bobby at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale, going to $105,000 for the colt, who was consigned and sold by his breeder Stonehaven Steadings.
