SARATOGA SPRINGS — When it came to winning stakes at Sar­atoga Race Course this summer, Bobby Frankel saved his best for the big races.

The Hall of Fame trainer captured four Grade I races during the six-week meet, capped by Vineyard Haven’s surprise victory in Monday’s $250,000 Hopeful.

Sent off at 9-1 by a closing-day crowd of 28,578, Vineyard Haven ($20.40) led for all of seven furlongs to take the Hopeful by 21⁄4 lengths in 1:23.40.

Cribnote was able to gather himself after blowing the final turn and rally for second, two lengths in front of 2-1 favorite Munnings, who overcame a poor start to run third.

Break Water Edison ran fourth, snapping trainer John Kimmel’s personal winning streak at seven consecutive starters.

Frankel won the Go for Wand and Personal Ensign with a favorite in Ginger Punch, and the Forego with First Defence and Hopeful in upsets.

“Obviously, everything counts,” Frankel said. “That’s pretty good.”

Frankel bought Vineyard Haven, a 2-year-old son of Lido Palace, following his maiden victory at Calder Race Course in June. He later sold interest in the horse to Los Ang­eles Dodgers manager Joe Torre and Louis Lazzinnaro, owner of Sergio’s Restaurant in Wilton.

“I put them in because they’re my friends,” Frankel said. “It’s a big thrill, you know? I know we’re going to be getting some good offers on him now because he won like he’s a really nice horse. I think we’ll keep him, but it depends.”

In the first start for his new connections, Vineyard Haven ran third of four in a muddy Grade II Sanford here on July 24, despite some traffic and equipment issues.

“He lost a shoe, and I missed some training going into that race,” Frankel said. “I don’t know how much training he had. Over the last few weeks, he really started to bulk up on me, and looked good, very muscular.”

Jockey Alan Garcia was able to stay clear of the field after leading through fractions of :22.68, :45.17 and 1:10.11.

“This horse has been working very good,” Garcia said. “When I got to the paddock, Mr. Frankel said, ‘Go with it, and do what you have to do.’ ”

Cribnote, an impressive 131⁄2-length

maiden winner here on July 27, was in good position and moving up on the outside of horses nearing the stretch when he bore out badly and dropped back before regaining his momentum down the center of the main track.

“All the way down the backside, it looked like he was afraid of horses inside of him,” trainer Rick Violette said. “I think he was tons the best today. I thought maybe when he turned for home he might finally cooperate and straighten out. He was still looking at them like they were ghosts inside of him, and he wanted to get away from them. For him to be second is pretty mirac­ulous.”

Another smart maiden winner at the meet, Munnings stumbled out of the gate and spotted the entire field several lengths before mounting a mild late bid.

LICENSED TO WIN

Trainer Jim Bond capped a two-win day when Hostess came from off the pace to take the co-feature,

the Grade III $108,900 Glens Falls.

Ridden by Rajiv Maragh, Hostess ($8.50) ran 13⁄8 miles on the inner turf course in 2:11.66, breaking the track record set by Babinda on

July 26, 1997.

“She likes to rattle her feet, as you can see,” Bond said. “When she gets hold of it, she’s got a kick and a half. She’s a good filly. These kind make you look good, that’s all. You just put a saddle on them, and they shine.”

Breaking from the rail, Tejida led through fractions of :23.96, :47.48 and 1:11.63 as Hostess gradually moved up on the outside. Maragh cut the corner turning for home, and Hostess quickly sprinted clear, then held off closer Palmilla by a neck.

Dynaforce, the 1-2 favorite, ran fifth of sixth, beaten 71⁄4 lengths.

The wins were the first of the meet for Bond, a year-round Sar­atoga County resident who was

0-for-14 with six seconds and a third. He also won the $81,750 Loudonville with home-bred Tommasi ($15.40).