Hedge Fund draws off to win Essex Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hedge Fund was determined on the front end Saturday in the $300,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park, where he fought off a challenge at the top of the stretch and went on to a 2 3/4-length win over Untrapped. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back in third to Blueridge Traveler.

The Essex was the first of three stakes on Saturday’s card that featured the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel. Martini Glass won the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri. Oaklawn opened its infield for the program and the estimated ontrack attendance on a sunny afternoon with temperatures in the 70s was 37,500.

Hedge Fund ($7) broke on top and proceeded to set fractions of 23.21 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.13 for the first half-mile, and 1:10.45 for six furlongs. He faced a challenge from Dalmore, but had more and went on to cover 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.06, notching a 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

“My horse got going at the quarter pole,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “He really gave me a great run to the wire.”

Hedge Fund was winning his first stakes race in the Essex and he gave his trainer, Todd Pletcher, his second victory in the race behind Golden Lad in 2015. Hedge Fund ran second in last year's Grade 2 Illinois Derby and was third in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby. He picked up $180,000 for the win Saturday, his third from seven starts. Hedge Fund now has a bankroll of $376,560.

Hedge Fund races for the partnership of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and S F Racing. He was bred by WinStar.

There were four scratches from the Essex: Petrov, Leofric, Thirstforlife and Far Right.