Ferocious ready to fight in G1 Hopeful

Impressive maiden winner Ferocious headlines a talented field of nine in Closing Day Monday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful, a seven-furlong sprint for juveniles, at Saratoga Race Course.

Campaigned by JR Ranch, Ramiro Restrepo, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments, the Flatter colt romped to a 7 3/4-length score in his August 3 debut here under returning Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano.

The $1.3 million OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase was off a step slow from post 1-of-9 but found a good stalking position from third as El Prestigio marked the opening quarter-mile in 22.06 seconds over the muddy and sealed main track. Ferocious saved ground through the turn and tipped out to the three path at the quarter-pole through a half-mile in 45.61 and was in command with a furlong to run, scoring in a final time of 1:09.65 for six furlongs. The winning effort earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure – the highest number recorded by any 2-year-old this year.

Gustavo Delgado, Jr., son and assistant to trainer Gustavo Delgado, said Ferocious exited his debut in fine fettle having breezed back twice, including a five-eighths effort in 1:02.63 on August 24 over the Spa main track.

“Since his first race everything has been pretty straightforward with him. He’s had a couple of breezes – both of them very easy and all the signs you want to see with a horse after his first race are there,” Delgado, Jr. said. “It’s hard to say after a 96 Beyer Speed Figure first time out that he’s going to improve, but it’s more about getting the foundation that young horses at this time of the year need. Everybody is excited to see him run again.”