Every couple of years, Mr. Hot Stuff pops up and runs a big one or two. Following a pattern first established back in 2013, the 11-year-old son of Tiznow defied his age and lackluster recent form to win a thrilling, three-way photo in the $400,000 Grand National (G1) at Far Hills, New Jersey, on Saturday, the season’s final and most lucrative Grade 1 for the jumping set.
Trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Irishman Danny Mullins, Mr. Hot Stuff got up in the final strides to deny Modem, second four times in Grade 1 company this year, and long-time leader All the Way Jose, who was seeking his second consecutive top-level tally following a win in last month’s Lonesome Glory (G1) at Belmont Park.
Owned by Gil Johnston, Mr. Hot Stuff had previously captured the 2013 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (G1) at Saratoga and, after missing the 2014 season, won the 2015 Temple Gwathmey (G3) in his first race back and then finished second by a neck to Demonstrative in the Iroquois (G1).
Sidelined throughout 2016, Mr. Hot Stuff has managed to put in a full campaign this year. A distant third in the Temple Gwathmey and pulled up in the Iroquois, two races won by Scorpiancer, Mr. Hot Stuff entered the Grand National off a seventh-place effort in the New York Turf Writers Cup (G1) and a fifth in the Lonesome Glory.
Following the premature ending of Scorpiancer’s season following the Iroquois, the four remaining Grade 1 steeplechases have all been won by different horses: Swansea Mile in the Smithwick, Diplomat in the Turf Writers Cup, All the Way Jose in the Lonesome Glory, and now Mr. Hot Stuff in the Grand National. Scorpiancer’s early-season form, which included a 16-length romp in the Iroquois, might sway much of the Eclipse Award support in his direction.
The Colonial Cup (G1), for decades the final major hurdle of the season held in November, has been canceled this year and will have a new home on the calendar when it kicks off the 2018 Grade 1 action on March 31.
Mr. Hot Stuff was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm. He’s a gelded son of Tiznow and out of the Turkoman mare Sweet Damsel, making him a full brother to dual Grade 1-winning sire Colonel John. On the flat, Mr. Hot Stuff placed in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and finished 15th behind Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1).
