Turf Paradise: Hezamazing noses out Forest Mouse in Hank Mills Handicap

Hezamazing took advantage of a sizzling pace and overcame trouble to post a 10-1 upset in Saturday’s $35,000 Hanks Mills Sr. Handicap at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Carlyle Rollins and trained by Rich Houghton, the 6-year-old Hezamazing bided his time in fourth while heavy 2-5 favorite Atta Boy Roy dueled with longshot Mr. Shadar through hot splits of 44.95 seconds and 1:09.84 while being pushed all along by defending champ All Saint. Hezamazing saved ground in the mile main-track event for 3-year-olds and up, commenced a smart run on the far turn only to find his path blocked. However, jockey Michael Ziegler found room, as Hezamazing surged through between horses to grab the lead and then stayed on gamely to just prevail by a nose over another hard-charging closer, Forest Mouse.

Rule by Force rallied from last in the six-horse field to get third. All Saint failed to muster a run after pressing that hot pace, finishing fourth, while Atta Boy Roy faded to fifth.

Hezamazing ran the distance in 1:35.69 and paid $22.20. The winner’s share of $21,000 gives him career earnings of $202,847 from 11 wins in 33 starts.