Mia's Hope, Dam of Hal's Hope, Dead

Mia's Hope, dam of grade I winner Hal's Hope, died in February following surgery after breaking a leg. The 14-year-old daughter of Rexson's Hope was owned by the Rose Family Stable and boarded at Arthur I. Appleton's Bridlewood Farm near Ocala, Fla.

Hal's Hope, who was bred and trained by patriarch Harold J. Rose and raced for the Rose Family Stable, developed into a major Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender with a score in the 2000 Florida Derby (gr. I). The account of Hal's Hope and the 88-year-old Rose and his wife, Elsie, developed into a true feel-good story all the way to the Run for the Roses. Unfortunately, Hal's Hope suffered a cut on his leg during the race, and after leading for part of it, weakened and finished unplaced. Two years later, Hal's Hope achieved another grade I win, capturing the Gulfstream Park Handicap. The millionaire son of Jolie's Halo died that summer because of complications from intestinal surgery. Harold Rose died the following year.

Mia's Hope, who was produced from the Pia Star mare Pia Mia, raced as a homebred for Rose. Trained by him, she won four stakes as a 3-year-old, including the Bonnie Miss (gr. II) and Davona Dale (gr. III) Stakes, and retired with seven wins from 20 starts and earnings of $327,740.

Mia's Hope's other two stakes winners, Hal's Image and Mia's Reflection (both by Halo's Image), were bred by Rose, raced for the family, and were trained by son Barry. Mia's Hope produced five named foals, including stakes-placed Hopefortheroses. Her last offspring is an unnamed Halo's Image yearling colt.