Lea Eyes Comeback in $150,000 Hal's Hope Stakes

Headlining the field at morning line odds of 9-5 is Lea, the defending champion from the 2014 edition of the Hal’s Hope. Trained by Bill Mott, the six-year-old son of First Samurai has been on the shelf since winning the Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park last February. He has won six of his twelve career starts and has been training sharply for his first start of the year. Joel Rosario will be aboard and they will break from the inside post.

Consistent Valid looks tough in seasonal debut

Second choice at 2-1 on the morning line is Valid for trainer Marcus Vitali. A five-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro, he has won seven times throughout his career with three of those victories coming at Gulfstream Park. He was last seen finishing second in the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes to close out his 2014 season. Regular rider Orlando Bocachica will be in the irons and they are scheduled to break from post position three.

Golden Lad making first start off the bench

Also in the field at morning line odds of 5-2 is Golden Lad for trainer Todd Pletcher. A five-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, he is returning to the races off of an eight-month freshening after finishing eighth in the Pimlico Special (G2).The Grade 3 winner has won half of his ten career starts and has been training steadily for his comeback race. John Velazquez will be aboard for the first time and they will break from post position two.