Hard Aces Rides Rail to Win Gold Cup

Things have been working out for Victor Espinoza lately—the $500,000 Gold Cup (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park was the most recent example. 

Electing to ride Hronis Racing's Hard Aces over grade I winner Finnegans Wake, Espinoza hugged the rail, found an opening, and held off a late challenge from Hoppertunity to win the 1 1/4-mile dirt test by a the slimmest nose at 7-1 odds.

"I decided not to encourage him early and save ground," Espinoza said. "I thought my best shot was to save ground and get through on the inside, and it worked out well."

Espinoza and the 5-year-old son of Hard Spun   sat last in the field of 11, 14 3/4 lengths behind early leader Batti Man, who ran the first quarter-mile in :23.37. Big Cazanova took over the lead after a half in :45.90 and hit six furlongs in 1:10.17, while Hard Aces maintained position in 10th.

Both Finnegans Wake and Hard Aces seemed to make their move at the same time, but Mike Smith took his accomplished turf runner to the outside, while Espinoza took the inside route. Hoppertunity, ridden by Martin Garcia for trainer Bob Baffert, also had to travel five wide into the stretch.

"We got a good trip," winning trainer John Sadler said. "We were hoping the pace would be there... but it's got to come together. Victor did a beautiful job with him. He's ridden him a few times and he's not an easy horse to ride."

Hard Aces hit the wire in 2:02.46 on a fast track and paid $17.80, $8, and $4.20. Hoppertunity brought $5.60 and $3.40. Favored Catch a Flight, who finished third, delivered $2.40 to show.

The Gold Cup win was the first graded victory for Hard Aces in his fifth try. His only other grade I attempt was a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Handicap, where he finished behind Gold Cup runners Moreno and Catch a Flight. The Gold Cup victory gives Hard Aces a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) as a part of the "Win & You're In" qualifying races.

Finnegans Wake, rallied to finish fourth, followed by Big Cazanova, Lideris, Majestic City, Moreno, Poshsky, Motown Men, and Batti Man, to complete the order of finish.

Bred in Kentucky by Dreamchaser Thorobreds, Hard Aces now has a 6-3-7 record from 23 starts and earnings of $592,145.