He's Comin in Hot Wires Bashford Manor

Texas-bred He's Comin in Hot became a graded stakes winner June 27 after wiring the field to take the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs. 

 

Saturday's card also included the $100,000 Debutante, a listed stakes for 2-year-old fillies, won by Cosmic Evolution. 

 

Sent right to the front by jockey Jamie Theriot, He's Comin in Hot set all the pace, quickly opening up a two-length lead after running the first quarter in :22.12. His lead was only a length after covering the half-mile in :46.21, but he found another gear in the lane to turn back the challenge from Show Bound, scoring by 3 3/4 lengths.

 

"He broke very sharp just like he did last time," said winning training Bret Calhoun. "He got his feet out under him very well in the first few jumps and was able to clear and not take early pressure. That was my main concern with the one hole, but I thought he was the kind of horse that could overcome it but you've got to have gate speed."

 

Bred in Texas by Valor Farm Inc., He's Comin in Hot has two wins from four career starts and earnings of $96,510 for owner-breeder Douglas Scharbauer. After finishing third in his debut to eventual Tremont Stakes winner Cocked and Loaded on April 9 at Keeneland, He's Comin in Hot finished second on May 8 at Churchill Downs, besting recent Royal Ascot group winner Acapulco in third, before finally breaking his maiden at June 12 Churchill in his third start.

 

The 2-year-old gelding by Valor Farm resident sire Early Flyer   out of stakes winner Shocktime, by Langfuhr  , covered the six furlongs in 1:10.90. 

 

"He was just in a high cruising speed," Theroit said. "Down the backside he had his ears pricked. It was easy and I said, 'It's over with'."

 

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of seven, He's Comin in Hot returned $3.60 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Show Bound, the 5-2 second-choice, lasted to be second returning $3.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Patrick Rocks paid $4.40 to show.

 

Dothat Dance got up to be fourth and was followed out by Sapphire Storm, Roman's Chance and third-choice Shoot Craps, who never threatened. Justanothermorgan was scratched from the field.

 

Calhoun said that he may point the gelding for a possible start in the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on July 25 or a race at Prairie Meadows on July 18.

 

One race later on the card, Stephen L. Fidel's Cosmic Evolution held off the even-money favorite Adhara to take the Debutante Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths.

 

Making just her second career start after finishing second in her debut at Churchill Downs on May 21, Cosmic Evolution circled three-wide under Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel to grab the lead in the stretch from longshot Tia Chuy, before holding off the rail bid from Adhara.

   

Cosmic Evolution was bred in Kentucky by Gabriel Duignan, William Duignan, and Tranquility Investments Ltd. By Proud Citizen   out of Laheen, by Ghostzapper  , Cosmic Evolution was a $20,000 purchase at the Keeneland September 2014 yearling sale.

 

"I think she's a great filly," said Borel said. "I think I got great, great hopes for her."

 

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:11.89.

 

"She ran a great race," said winning trainer Lon Wiggins. "The filly is dying to go two turns. We're really excited for the future."

 

Cosmic Evolution returned $12.60 to win, $4.20 to place and $2.80 to show. Adhara paid $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show, while Areolite returned $2.20 to show.

 

Tia Chuy weakened to fourth and was followed by Thievery, Sheza Fine Justice, and Langstars Charmer. Don't Boss Me was an early scratch.