Restoring Hope

Restoring Hope (foaled May 5, 2015) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in the 2018 Belmont Stakes. He first garnered attention when he won a race at Santa Anita.^[1]

Restoring Hope
Sire	Giant's Causeway
Grandsire	Storm Bird
Dam	Symbol Of Freedom
Sex	Colt
Foaled	May 5, 2015
Country	United States
Color	Dark Bay
Breeder	Gary & Mary West Stables, Inc.
Owner	Haran Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer	John Haran
Record	28: 4-4-5
Earnings	$288,394
Major wins
Santa Anita
Last updated on June 8, 2023

Restoring Hope became a subject of debate after competitors in the 2018 Belmont Stakes accused him of blocking other horses in order to help his stablemate, Justify, who went on to win the Triple Crown. Restoring Hope was trained by Bob Baffert, who also trained Justify.

Mike Repole, who owned two other horses in the race, said "We watched Restoring Hope rush up like he was a quarter horse, make a quick right-hand turn, then turn left, pinned Bravazo on the rail. He looked like a bodyguard making sure nobody got close to Justify."^[2]

After the Belmont Stakes, Restoring Hope did not race for half a year, until resurfacing for new trainer Jason Servis. After Servis' indictment, he was moved to W. Bret Calhoun's barn, for whom he made two starts after ten months away from the track. After another ten months without any races, he then raced once for Wayne M. Catalano, was moved to Kelly J. Breen's barn and finally to Ron Moquett. A few starts later, he was claimed for $10,000 by trainer John Haran. As of June 2023, he has been racing for a $5,000 tag at Hawthorne.

References

1. "Restoring Hope". Americasbestracing.net. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
2. "Bob Baffert horse Restoring Hope accused of blocking for Justify". Retrieved 11 June 2018.