Hoosier Philly fires bullet in return to work tab
The undefeated Hoosier Philly didn’t exactly ease back into published workouts this past weekend at Fair Grounds, drilling a half-mile Jan. 28 in 47.80 seconds, the fastest among 102 four-furlong works that morning.
The exercise marked the first timed workout since Hoosier Philly returned about a month ago from a winter break in Florida to the barn of trainer Tom Amoss. Amoss, who trains Hoosier Philly for Gold Standard Racing Stable, said late last year that connections were pointing to the Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds, and Hoosier Philly remains on target for the race.
“Look, we’re not married to that spot, but she’s going to be ready and that’s our first choice,” Amoss said Sunday.
Hoosier Philly won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race to launch her career in September, following that with a 7 1/2-length romp Oct. 30 in the Rags to Riches Stakes and a ridiculously easy five-length score in the Golden Rod Stakes on Nov. 26, her most recent outing. Hoosier Philly isn’t a huge horse, lanky and long more than powerful, but she rates beautifully and has the long, loping stride of a true route runner. She switched back to her “wrong” lead during the stretch run of her last two starts – before changing back to her proper lead – and did that again in her workout, but that’s a mere ripple in a sea of talent.
“That workout was what we saw through her 2-year-old career, and it was good to see her racing personality show up,” Amoss said. “If you watch the work, [the rider] doesn’t budge on the horse.”
In the Rachel Alexandra, Hoosier Philly could face a couple of capable horses she’s already beaten, Pretty Mischievous and Knockyoursocksoff, and one she hasn’t, Chop Chop.
Amoss also reported Curly Jack remains on course for the Risen Star Stakes on the Feb. 18 card. Curly Jack won the Iroquois at Churchill Downs, finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and came back to run second behind eventual Lecomte Stakes winner Instant Coffee on Nov. 26 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He, too, had a Florida break, returning to the work tab on Dec. 15 and breezing again Jan. 26 at Fair Grounds.
“He’ll have a work this week in company that should put him ready for the Risen Star,” Amoss said.
It would be no surprise to see Instant Coffee pass the Risen Star and await the Louisiana Derby on March 26, but his trainer, Brad Cox, is all but certain to have at least one Risen Star entrant. That horse could be Victory Formation, easy winner of the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park and unbeaten after three starts.
Trainer Larry Rivelli said he’s leaning toward running Lecomte second-place finisher Two Phil’s back in the Risen Star rather than shipping to Florida or awaiting the Louisiana Derby. Lecomte third-place finisher Confidence Game is probable for the Risen Star, trainer Keith Desormeaux said.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.