Hoofit Stuns Aikenite in Phoenix
Mrs. S. K. Johnston Jr.’s Hoofit (NZ) edged Aikenite by a nose in the 159th running of the $175,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G3). Hoofit is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, and his owner would have to ante up a $200,000 supplement for the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) to be run November 5 at Churchill Downs.
In the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix, favored Flashpoint and Sterling Outlook dueled through early fractions of :22.10 and :45.15 with Hoofit racing in the second tier of horses and Aikenite at the back of the seven-horse field.
Approaching the far turn, Prado kept Hoofit toward the rail while Velazquez angled to the outside with Aikenite. At mid-stretch, Hoofit shot past Flashpoint on the inside and Aikenite went by on the outside as the two raced as a team to the wire with Hoofit getting the nod.
Trained by Graham Motion, Hoofit returned $25.60, $10 and $5.20. Aikenite returned $3.40 and $2.60 with Hamazing Destiny, ridden by Robby Albarado, finishing 1¾ lengths back in third and paying $3.40 to show. Completing the order of finish were Flashpoint, Cool Bullet, Southern Style and Sterling Outlook.
The victory was worth $105,000 and increased Hoofit’s earnings to $182,721 with a record of 18-4-3-1. A 4-year-old gelded son of Mossman (AUS) out of the Danehill mare Chuckle (AUS), Hoofit is undefeated in two starts in the United States.
It was the 36th Keeneland stakes victory for Prado and the 14th here for Motion.