Hello Hot Rod doing well after Winkfield victory

Hello Hot Rod emerged from his victory in last Sunday’s Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct in good order, according to trainer Brittany Russell.

“He looks fantastic,” Russell said Tuesday morning. “To be fair, he doesn’t even act like he raced or shipped or anything. He’s just a neat horse.”

Hello Hot Rod might be pointed to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at one mile on March 6 but also was a late supplement to Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed auction. He is listed as Hip No. 672 and is consigned by Elite Sales.

Hello Hot Rod is a Mosler half-brother to popular Hello Beautiful, currently the region’s leading filly and mare sprinter. A $10,000 yearling purchase, Hello Hot Rod went right to the front in the Jimmy Winkfield and set the pace while several paths off the rail.

He was confronted in earnest by Return the Ring turning into the stretch but showed dogged determination in repelling that foe to win by a head. Hello Hot Rod completed seven furlongs in 1:26.30 and received a 72 Beyer Speed Figure.

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“Absolute class,” Russell said. “He got up there and the people that shipped for us gave him his feed tub and they said he devoured his breakfast. They usually don’t do that when they ship, so that’s a good sign.”

Russell will be busy in upcoming weeks. Hello Beautiful is on track for the Grade 3, $300,000 Runhappy Barbara Fritchie Stakes on Feb. 13 at Laurel. Little Huntress, a 14-length maiden special weight winner on Dec. 27, is aiming for Sunday’s $100,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Maythehorsebwithu, runner-up in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Jan. 16 at Laurel, is likely for the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes for 3-year-olds on the Fritchie undercard.

Multiple stakes winner Whereshetoldmetogo will skip the Grade 3, $250,000 General’s Stake and perhaps wait for the $75,000 Not For Love Stakes for Maryland-breds on March 13.