Hot Fudge nips Kant Hurry Love again in Correction Stakes

The only point at which Hot Fudge led the Correction Stakes was the only point where it truly mattered, with the mare getting the head bob of a lifetime to nip Kant Hurry Love in the $100,000 Correction on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Kant Hurry Love collared tiring pacesetter Quick Munny at the furlong grounds and looked like a winner up to moment the result of the photo finish was revealed. In real time, it was odds-on that Kant Hurry Love had held clear the odds-on favorite. Instead, Hot Fudge won by the scantest of noses.

Kant Hurry Love’s backers had cause for consternation. The two mares met Dec. 9 in the Garland of Roses at Aqueduct and Hot Fudge had come out a neck on top after what could be argued was a better trip than Kant Hurry Love’s. The price discrepancy between the two Saturday, Hot Fudge at 7-10 and Kant Hurry Love nearly 7-2, was much too wide. Yet the betting public was correct, if barely, in the Correction.

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For older fillies and mares at six furlongs, the Correction was contested over a muddy, sealed track, and Dylan Davis aboard Quick Munny decided running the competition off their feet was his mare’s best chance. Opening a lead of several lengths, Kant Hurry Love racing in closest attendance, Quick Munny ripped through testing splits of 22.05 seconds and 45.13 that took their toll with more than an eighth of a mile remaining. Kant Hurry Love and Trevor McCarthy were the first to move, Hot Fudge and Kendrick Carmouche trying to follow outside Kant Hurry Love, who looked a certain winner until she wasn’t.

Hot Fudge is a hot horse, the Correction her sixth win in a row, a streak born at least as much from clever management and good fortune as raw ability. Trainer Linda Rice has been responsible for all this winning but was not the trainer of record in the Correction. Rice is serving a 14-day suspension, triggered by a medication violation and during her absence official administration of the stable has devolved to Adam Rice, Linda Rice’s nephew. Hot Fudge paid $3.60 to win and was timed in 1:10.99.

Starship Defiant made an inside move in midstretch that she failed to sustain, finishing third, four lengths behind tough luck Kant Hurry Love.

Hot Fudge is a 5-year-old by Liam’s Map out of Noelle’s Mischief, by Into Mischief. She’s campaigned by KEM Stable, was bred by Edwin Anthony, and was very fortunate to come out on top in the Correction Stakes.

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