Basin leads Asmussen's Hopeful Stakes 1-2-3 at Saratoga

Basin proved the best of three Steve Asmussen-trained juveniles in Monday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful Stakes, coming from just off the pace to win Saratoga’s closing day feature for aspiring 2-year-olds.

Under jockey Jose Ortiz, Basin jumped out to the center of the track once into the stretch, drifting a bit under urging. But the son of first-crop sire Liam’s Map proved much the best while completing seven furlongs in 1:23.48.

"Jose rode him extremely well, and it worked out very nicely," Asmussen said.

Shoplifted and Gozilla, who set fractions of 22.66 and 45.84, gave the Asmussen barn a sweep of the top three spots in the Hopeful -- also his first victory in this race. All three of the Hall of Famer's contenders entered off maiden special weight victories earlier in the Saratoga meet.

Green Light Go, who’s 2-for-2 and landed 8-5 morning line favoritism for the Hopeful, scratched after morning rain turned the track sloppy. He’ll point next to the Oct. 5 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

"I think the conditions of the day had a lot to do with the outcome," Asmussen added, saying Gozilla "didn't get a lot out of his maiden race" and Shoplifted "spun his wheels" in the slop.

"...Hopefully for me, that's the last time they run against each other."

Jackpot Farm campaigns Basin, a $150,000 yearling purchase who should open up options on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail. Off at 3-1 in the field of six, Basin returned $8.20 to win.