Hozier Wires Field in Off-the-Turf River City Handicap
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Photo: Coady Photography
Hozier wins the River City Handicap at Churchill Downs
The road toward unlocking Hozier 's potential has been a long one. A $625,000 yearling purchase, the son of Pioneerofthe Nile was touted as a 2021 Kentucky Derby Sponsored by Woodford Reserve (G1) contender after breaking his maiden out west that winter for trainer Bob Baffert. Now, 16 starts later, after an owner change and a barn switch, the gelding (as of last October) soared to victory under those revered Twin Spires, landing the Nov. 13 $300,000 River City Handicap.
Gloomy and persistent rainfall over the weekend could do little to dampen the spirits of Hozier's connections heading into Sunday's River City. Although he made his last four starts on the turf, including a last-out win facing allowance optional claiming company at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Hozier was a two-time winner and graded stakes-placed on the dirt. Originally 30-1 on the morning line, the 4-year-old's odds dropped dramatically Sunday afternoon when Churchill Downs stewards announced the River City was taken off the turf. Hozier went to post at 9-2 in a field dwindled down to just seven come race time.
"Well, to be honest, that was the whole plan," trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. "We know there have been some issues with the turf course. We went in thinking we might have a shot on the turf, but the fact the race came off, with his back class (on the dirt) we thought we were in the right spot."
Given a sharp warm-up under jockey Julien Leparoux before loading into the gates, it came as no surprise to see Hozier rocket to the lead following the break. With only Starting Over tracking closely in second, Hozier clicked off an opening quarter-mile in :24.05 and a half-mile in :48.51. Rounding the turn for home, Starting Over engaged the pacesetter but was swiftly turned away by Hozier, who had kicked clear and drew off by 3 1/2 lengths under the wire.
Hozier ($11.90) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.67 on a track that had been quickly drying out as the day wore on. Starting Over was second, with In Love , a grade 1 winner on the turf for trainer Paulo Lobo, closing mildly from the back of the pack to complete the trifecta.
The River City Handicap has been a grade 3 turf race since 1987. The Equibase chart categorized it as "listed" due to the surface switch.
Hozier earned $181,900 to increase his career total to $585,910. He won for the second time since being purchased last summer for Mary and Ted Dixon of Storyteller Racing at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale.
"We'll see how he comes out of it, maybe have a little break, and we'll map something for next year," Brisset said. "But dirt, turf, anything two turns, anything going really long, is any spot for him."
Hozier's win was the second of the day for an offspring of the graded stakes-winning Henny Hughes mare Merry Meadow. His 2-year-old half brother by Uncle Mo , Massimo , prevailed by a neck in a six-furlong maiden special weight Sunday at Del Mar for Hozier's former trainer, Baffert.