Weast Hill remains dominant force among Arkansas-breds

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Starsky Weast is making a significant impact on the Arkansas breeding program with just a single broodmare and one horse in training. Weast Hill comprises the owner’s racing operation, and on Saturday he will attempt to improve his Oaklawn record to 8 for 8 when he runs in the $100,000 Nodouble.

The Nodouble is a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Arkansas. The field of seven includes 15-time winner Rock City Roadhog and stakes winner Maize Road.

But all eyes will be on Weast Hill, who has been unbeatable in Arkansas since he won his debut in February 2015 at Oaklawn. He proceeded to capture the track’s $75,000 Rainbow that year before returning at 4 and winning an allowance, the $100,000 Nodouble, and the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes. Weast Hill has been just as effective this year at 5, racking up a pair of allowance wins to push his Oaklawn earnings to $341,000.

Not bad for the son of a $10,000 broodmare purchase named Copperelle. Weast said he bought the daughter of Elusive Quality in foal to Rockport Harbor at Keeneland in part because he liked the idea of taking a chance on a young stallion. Weast Hill was the product of that mating. He was born on the 325-acre farm that Weast’s grandfather purchased and which is known in the town of Star City, Ark., as simply “Weast Hill.” The success of the horse named for the farm on the hill is not lost on Weast, a 41-year-old contractor.

“He’s been a true blessing for me and my family,” Weast said.

Weast Hill also has built a big following, as evidenced by packed celebrations in the winner’s circle at Oaklawn.

“It means a lot for this little old town I live in,” Weast said. “There’s a lot of people that come over and watch him race and support him. A lot of people in town ask about him. We live in a really small town. We only have one red light. But a lot of people keep up with him, asking on Facebook when he’s running.”

Brad Cox has trained Weast Hill throughout his career and said the horse’s annual racing schedule targets the meet at Oaklawn. Joe Rocco Jr. has been the horse’s regular rider since January 2016 and will have the mount Saturday from post 6.

As for Copperelle, she has had a few more foals since her firstborn, Weast Hill. She was bred this year to Midshipman, said Weast. The small operation represents the manner in which the owner will continue to operate.

“I keep myself to a two-horse [limit],” Weast said of his racing stable. “I stick to that rule. I can have two horses, four halves, or eight quarters.”

Right now, he has the best Arkansas-bred currently racing.