He Looks Hot a game winner in Champion of Champions

CYPRESS, Calif. – He Looks Hot, who survived three colic surgeries in 2015 and last year, overcame a stumble at the start to win the most prestigious race of his career in Saturday’s $600,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Vinnie Bednar, He Looks Hot ($11.40) recovered quickly from the hampered start to win the 440-yard race by a half-length over 12-1 Mi Amor Secreto, a stakes winner in New Mexico in September. He Looks Hot was timed in 21.38 seconds.

Hotstepper, the winner of the 2018 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs, finished third in the field of 10 at 11-1. Flash and Roll, the 7-5 favorite, finished sixth after bumping with a rival at the start.

He Looks Hot races for owner and breeder Ed Allred, who owns Los Alamitos. A 7-year-old gelding, He Looks Hot was Allred’s first Champion of Champions winner since Charger Bar in 1973, the second year the historic race was run.

The Champion of Champions brings together the winners of major stakes throughout the nation. Additional berths are available in time trials in November.

He Looks Hot, who is trained by Scott Willoughby, qualified by finishing second in the time trials on Nov. 17.

He Looks Hot has won 18 of 34 starts and earned $1,618,055. He won the 2014 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity for his richest payday.

He Looks Hot will remain in training in 2020, Willoughby said.