Grade 1 Winner Hard Not to Love Retired
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Hard Not to Love wins the 2020 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park
One-eyed fan favorite Hard Not to Love , winner of the 2019 La Brea Stakes (G1) and 2020 Santa Monica Stakes (G2), has been retired from racing after two lackluster efforts this year. The 5-year-old daughter of Hard Spun will likely be bred to Curlin , said Terry Finley, president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, one of the groups that own her in partnership.
Although Hard Not to Love was handicapped by losing her left eye as a yearling, contributing to nervousness from her at times, she excelled on the racetrack. The John Shirreffs trainee won five times in 12 starts, earning $593,480 for owners Mercedes Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, David and Dorothy Ingordo, and Steve Mooney.
Her best period came from the fall of 2019 through mid-winter of 2020, when she rattled off three straight wins, beginning with an allowance optional claimer and followed by the La Brea and Santa Monica.
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"She was a filly that was full of anxiety but also full of talent. To John and his team, we are so appreciative," Finley said.
Mike Smith guides Hard Not to Love to the winner's circle after the 2020 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park
After winning the 2020 Santa Monica, she lost the final six starts of her career, all in graded stakes, though she picked up four stakes placings, including in a grade 1. Her last race came Feb. 13 when seventh in this year's Santa Monica. Her final workout was March 9, in which she breezed five furlongs in 1:02 2/5.
Her retirement was first reported by Daily Racing Form.
"We all know it's very tough to get a good horse. She was a good race mare, and we think she should be a superb broodmare," Finley said.
A $400,000 selection by David Ingordo at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the consignment of her breeder, Anderson Farms, Canadian-born Hard Not to Love is out the winning Vindication mare Loving Vindication. She is a half sister to stakes winners Solemn Tribute and Wonder Gadot , the 2018 Queen's Plate winner and that year's Horse of the Year in Canada.
Finley said Hard Not to Love would likely be sold in foal at The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton. Wonder Gadot sold there for $2 million as a broodmare prospect in 2019.
"She is the total package," Finley said of Hard Not to Love. "She has got the physicality, the pedigree, and the race record."