Saratoga Maidens Presented by Keeneland: Oscar’s Hope Puts a Capper on Best Saratoga Meet Ever for Amoss

[Wandering Eyes]

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After the pictures were taken in the winner's circle and after he did his interview with Acacia Clement for the Saratoga Live broadcast, trainer Tom Amoss did a little dance before heading out.

Happy? Oh, yeah, Amoss was all of that.

He had just watched his 2-year-old colt Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) romp home to a 5 3/4-length win in the first race, a $100,000 maiden special weight, on closing day at Saratoga Race Course.

This was a meet to remember for the 63-year-old Amoss, who said he has never had a Saratoga summer like this one.

Oscar's Hope, owned by longtime client Michael McLoughlin, gave Amoss his ninth win of the season. In 32 starts this year, he also had seven second- and two third-place finishes.

“In terms of results, ever since I have been coming to Saratoga, this is the best one ever,” said Amoss, who began his training career in 1987. “This is one meet I won't forget because I know this does not come around often, especially for a trainer like myself. I am a bit of a fringe player when I come up here and this year, I have been able to make an impact, which is exciting.”

Three of Amoss's wins have come in $100,000 maiden special weights. He also won with Big Dom (McKinzie) on Aug. 16 and It's Our Time (Not This Time) on Aug. 23, Travers Day.

It's Our Time broke his maiden by a whopping 17 3/4 lengths.

Last year, Amoss won six races during the Saratoga meet; the year before he won five.

Amoss picked out Oscar's Hope at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and he went for $150,000. As he always does, Amoss relied on observations and input of his team of Bret Sumja, Chris Richard and Ron Faucheux. All of them have had training experience and Amoss puts his full trust in them.

“We look at the horses we recognize and know we've got to live with this horse a year from now,” Amoss said. “I think we make a great team.”

Oscar's Hope, Amoss said, is named for one of McLoughlin's grandchildren.

“Mike has been a loyal client of mine for over 20 years,” Amoss said of McLoughlin, who spends much of the year living in New Orleans. “I can't wait to call him right now. I know winning at Saratoga is a special moment for him.”

Oscar's Hope began his career at Saratoga on Aug. 9 and broke from the rail in a $100,000 maiden special weight. The 7-5 favorite, Oscar's Hope and jockey Jose Ortiz went to the lead, but got caught in the stretch by Golden Tornado (McKinzie) and was beaten by 3 1/4 lengths.

Amoss went into Monday's race with confidence because of that first start. The public agreed as he was sent off as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite in the six-furlong race.

“I told Jose [Ortiz] that he had a race under his belt, and I knew he would rate because he has done it well in practice,” Amoss said. “We were much more relaxed with this position [four post] and I told him to just let him run and that is what he did.”

Oscar's Hope ran the six furlongs in 1:10.76 and returned $3.36, $2.38 and $2.10.

The post Saratoga Maidens Presented by Keeneland: Oscar’s Hope Puts a Capper on Best Saratoga Meet Ever for Amoss appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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