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Hoofit denies Aikenite in Phoenix

Hoofit (inside) just got the best of Aikenite on the wire (Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos) Making only his second ever start in the U.S., the New Zealand-bred gelding Hoofit captured the country's oldest stakes race Friday when taking the Grade 3, $175,000 Phoenix on opening day of the Keeneland fall meet. To do so, Hoofit had to outduel Aikenite in the final sixteenth of the six-furlong Polytrack dash, and at the wire it was Hoofit who won on the head bob by a nose. Racing near the rear of the field during the opening half-mile, Hoofit was able to save valuable ground as 6-5 favorite Flashpoint carved out fractions of :22 and :45 while pressured throughout by Sterling Outlook. As the field entered the stretch, Flashpoint drifted off the inside just enough to allow jockey Edgar Prado aboard Hoofit to squeeze through with an inside bid. Meanwhile, Aikenite, who won the Grade 2 Commonwealth at the Keeneland spring meet, had taken the overland route down the backside and continued to make his bid for the lead from the outside. The extra ground traveled might have just cost him in the end in a good effort.

Hoofit, who completed the Phoenix in 1:09 1/5 at odds of 11-1, paid $25.60, $10 and $5.20. Finishing third, 1 3/4 lengths behind, was Hamazing Destiny last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up Hamazing Destiny. Flashpoint weakened to fourth and was followed under the wire by Cool Bullet, Southern Style and Sterling Outlook.

The Phoenix, which dates to the 1830s, was the first career stakes win for Hoofit, who placed once in stakes company in New Zealand prior to his importation. He made his U.S. debut against allowance foes at Presque Isle Downs on September 2. Also contested on a synthetic surface, Hoofit surprised that field at 10-1 by 3 1/4 lengths. His record now stands at 18-4-3-1, $183,721, for owner Mrs. S.K. Johnston Jr. and trainer Graham Motion.

"He was just so impressive that night at Presque Isle," Motion said. "I kept looking at the race and thinking how easily he did it. I said to Edgar this morning, 'You've gotta watch this video because it has to be seen to be believed.'

"This was a very competitive race. Jill (owner Mrs. S.K. Johnston Jr.) was terrific for letting me take a shot in here, and what a great ride Edgar gave him. It pays to have Edgar."

Hoofit was bred by Ra & Je Ferguson Partnership Syndicate. He is by Mossman out of the stakes-winning mare Chuckle, who was also multiple Group 2-placed in Australia.

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