Hard Aces Takes a Classic Shot

John Sadler describes the results since acquiring Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) longshot Hard Aces simply and to the point.



"It worked out," Sadler said of the private purchase he made for Hronis Racing early this year.



The trainer might be selling himself a bit short.



The move to acquire the 5-year-old son of Hard Spun   after his first stakes win Jan. 17 in the Louisiana Handicap at Fairgrounds Race Course & Slots appears downright prescient at this point.



Since then, Sadler has run Hard Aces exclusively in graded stakes, and he's brought in $377,500 of his $592,645 lifetime earnings in six starts for the trainer this year. The largest chunk came from the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I) June 27, when he closed from last in the field of 11 and skimmed the rail with Victor Espinoza aboard to upset the $500,000 race at odds of 7-1.

BALAN: Hard Aces Rides Rail to Win Gold Cup



"In the older horse division out here—you had Shared Belief and California Chrome—and it looked like they were going in other directions, so I thought there was some room in there," Sadler said.



Injuries to both Shared Belief and California Chrome this year undoubtedly bolstered Hard Aces' campaign, but that won't dissuade Sadler from taking a shot in the Classic against the likes of fellow Southern California residents American Pharoah and Beholder.



The lack of an entry fee for the "Win and You're In" Gold Cup victory doesn't hurt, either.



"For that money—I mean, the entry fee is $100,000 to run in that race," Sadler said. "Since his ticket is punched, that's why we're going over there. We're going to go back there and hopefully get a piece of it."



A winning run for Hard Aces would likely be the biggest upset in the race since Volponi won at 43-1 odds in 2002, but he will have to be without Espinoza, who has been aboard for all six of his starts since shipping out West. Espinoza will be on the Triple Crown winner's back come Oct. 31. First-time rider Joe Talamo will get the call for the Classic, and was aboard for Hard Aces' final Santa Anita Park breeze Oct. 23, when he covered six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 from the gate.



Sadler admits the horse—who was bred by Dreamchaser Thorobreds out of the Quiet American mare All in With Aces—is not an inspiring morning worker, so his first two drills since a sixth-place finish in the Awesome Again (gr. I) Sept. 26 could be a positive indication. His first breeze back was a bullet four-furlong move in :47 flat, the fastest of 47 at the distance the morning of Oct. 10, and his second was five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Oct. 17.



"He's a big, handsome colt, but he's very laid back," Sadler said. "You have to wake him up, and (he's) not a particularly good work horse. (Former trainer) Larry Jones told me that when we bought him—he won't work fast. He's sound. He's just a solid, useful horse."



Hard Aces' temperament could be a significant hurdle for a new, unfamiliar rider, as well.



"When a rider rides him, he has to ask him," Sadler said. "You've got to shove on him. He's not going to do anything on his own."



The trainer also said, with significant apprehension, that his horse has likely been hampered by California's relatively new whip restriction put into action July 2, which only allows riders to strike a horse three consecutive times before pausing for it to respond. His Gold Cup victory came just five days before the new rule was put in place.



"In fairness, you know, he's—" Sadler said before a lengthy, thoughtful pause, seemingly weighing how his comment would be interpreted. "He's a little bit a victim of the whip rule. He won, (and) they change the rule after that. Nobody wants to talk about whipping horses, but he's probably been hindered by that rule. Like all rules, it's helped some and hurt others, and he's probably been hurt a little by it."



There is no such rule in Kentucky, and on paper, Hard Aces legitimately looks outclassed in the $5 million race, but if everything plays into his hand, he could—could—be rolling late, ideally in an opening on the rail.



"Our best scenario is there being a ton of speed in there, and he can roll along late," Sadler explained. "It's so tough, but we do want to be in it, because he's capable of throwing a big race."