Deposit Ticket established command early, turned back a challenge by Fighting Affair near the stretch and then drew away for a 4 1/2-length victory in the $232,800 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds at Saratoga Saturday.
The victory was the fourth in six starts for the son of Northern Baby and Propositioning, who was ridden by Gary Stevens and covered 6 1/2 furlongs on the muddy track in 1:16:10 to earn $139,680 for Owner William T. Young.
It was also the third consecutive stakes win for Deposit Ticket, who won Monmouth's Sapling and Hollywood Park's Juvenile Championship in his two previous starts.
Hansel, ridden by Pat Day, was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Link, ridden by Angel Cordero.
