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1/14/2012- Aiken-trained Sangaree returns in the Hal's Hope
By Ben Baugh

Godolphin Stable's Grade 1 placed Sangaree returns today in the 1-mile Grade 3 Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The half-brother to the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse-of-the-Year Congaree will break from post position three, and jockey Rajiv Maragh will get the return call on the son of 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again. The seven-year-old chestnut horse finished sixth in his last start, the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 26 at Aqueduct, but had placed second in his two previous starts (both stakes races).

The Kiaran McLaughlin charge will be making the 25th start of his career in the Hal's Hope, and last worked Jan. 7 at Palm Meadows breezing a half-mile in 49 1/5 seconds.

Sangaree won the 2010 Joe Hernandez Stakes while in the barn of Bob Baffert. The horse also placed while racing in the United Arab Emirates during his six-year-old campaign.

Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable bred the son of Awesome Again. Sangaree was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Sangaree has 4 wins from 24 lifetime starts, has placed second eight times and finished third once, bankrolling $345,710.