Hot Fudge, on short rest, notches first stakes triumph with Garland of Roses

Hot Fudge turned a sweet trip into her first stakes victory, scooping up the $116,400 Garland of Roses on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Sitting third as even-money favorite Olga Isabel dueled with Headland, Hot Fudge could not have been in a better spot turning for home, but she had to work to push past a stubborn Headland, then hold off a late run from Kant Hurry Love to win by a neck.

Hot Fudge, who paid $8.20 as the second choice and clocked 1:10.45 for six furlongs on a fast track, ran just eight days after capturing an allowance race in her first start since June.

“You’re always a little apprehensive when you run them back on short rest, but I knew that this filly was doing well enough,” said Linda Rice, who trains Hot Fudge for KEM Stables.

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Four-year-old Hot Fudge, by Liam’s Map out of the Into Mischief mare Noelle’s Mischief, missed roughly 15 months of racing between December of her 2-year-old season and this past January. This first stakes success ran her career mark to 11-6-1-1.

The winner’s task was made considerably easier when Self Isolation and possible favorite Disco Ebo were scratched.

Headland broke best and made the early lead, but Olga Isabel came inside her and took over following the first furlong. The pace was stout, 21.94 and 45.79, and Olga Isabel threw in the towel in upper stretch. Headland stayed on gamely before wilting the last half-furlong, Kant Hurry Love closing on the outside to finish 2 1/4 lengths ahead of her. You Look Cold ran a dull race but still beat Olga Isabel, who crossed the finish last of just five.

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