by John Mucciolo
Woodford Racing LLC’s HOT SPRINGS was last for the opening six furlongs in the $100,000 Commonwealth Turf (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, but the Steve Asmussen trainee began to edge closer approaching the stretch while saving ground. When he got clear, the bay colt dominated in the lane under Ricardo Santana Jr. to secure the victory.
Marzo established the lead for six furlongs, posting splits of :24.81, :49.64 and 1:14.72 over the yielding turf course. The 11-1 shot was still in front while reaching a mile in 1:40.38, but was no match for Hot Springs late.
Hot Springs finished off 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.97 en route to his 1 1/2-length tally. He rewarded his backers with mutuels of $5.80, $3.80 and $3.20 as the 9-5 second choice.
Zero Gravity came from well back to be a healthy second at 15-1 odds, completing the $55.6.- exacta ($2). Marzo held third, another 1 ½ lengths in arrears.
Hot Springs moved his career mark to 7-4-1-0, $248,480, in this spot. Previously, the three-year-old son of Uncle Mo earned his first stakes triumph in the Jefferson Cup on September 29 under the Twin Spires. The bay also earned a graded placing when runner-up in the Kent Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park in the summer.
The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Bo Hirsch and purchased at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $750,000 by Lane’s End. He is the first registered stakes winner produced from the stakes-placed Victory Gallop mare Magical Victory.
Hot Springs’ second dam is 2002 Del Mar Debutante (G1) starlet Miss Houdini, who is responsible for, among others, 2009 Arkansas Derby (G2) victor Papa Clem.
Hot Springs has an unraced two-year-old half-sister by Stay Thirsty named Bye Bye Bully’s as well as an unnamed yearling half-brother by Declaration of War.
COMMONWEALTH TURF QUOTES
Ricardo Santana Jr., jockey of Hot Springs, winner
“He handled the surface well today. We got a lot of rain the other day so I knew the track would be pretty heavy. I watched some replays and wanted to make sure I got him to settle early in the race. Once the hole opened up and I got him outside he responded very well. He’s a very nice horse and very talented. I think he’s going to keep getting better into next year.”
Steve Asmussen, trainer of Hot Springs, winner
“He’s four-for-four over the surface here but today was the most impressive one. The way he was finishing up was very impressive. Hopefully we’ll be able to come back to Churchill next year. There are some very nice races down the road for this colt.”
Ben Colebrook, trainer of Marzo, third
“I really thought we were going to steal that race. He ran great on the front end. That was a great effort.”
