Hot thing and cyclist Alex Achard made their foray into the betting action seamless, scoring their 22nd win of the $100,000 Back Home Again Stakes on September 7th. in Indianapolis horseshoe. It was the third career start for Mule’s Army filly, who is currently 2 for 3 in his youth career.
Hot Little Thing and Achard began their journey in a six-lane sprint from column 3 and were surrounded by early speed opponents from the gate. The speedy little chestnut filly made his way out of the gate and took the top spot in the first few steps of the race. Achard was able to maintain the desired position at the top with several fillings lurking just behind their heels.
At the beginning of the stretch, Hot Little Thing hit another wheel and dashed off the field, devouring the ground with every stride. As broadcaster John Dooley noted during the tense call, “She’s a Mule and son-in-law, she has a kick.” Hot Little Thing was wrapped up by Achard, who always had a smile on his face as they crossed the rope to win, scoring the win by 14 1/2 lengths. Corningstone and Brian Hernandez Jr regrouped late in the second, just one neck Bluelightspecial and Manny Esquivel, who endured a traffic incident on the turn but then swayed and headed inside for third place. Sprint time is 1: 10.43.
“We were lucky to take the lead and no one put too much pressure on us,” Achard said. “When I asked her at the beginning of the ramp, she walked away like we were out of the gate.”
Hot Little Thing, coached by Rodolphe Brisset, moved in to win, paying $4.20. She acquired $80,000 from Ocala Breeders ‘Sales’ 2-Year-Child Sales in March of this year for a partnership of September Ranch, Union Park Thoroughbreds, Storyteller Racing and Jonathan Wilmot.
“She was great,” says Ted Nixon, who, along with his wife, Mary, co-owns the episode in Storyteller Racing. “Rodolphe (Brisset) found her for us at the Ocala sale and we’re thrilled to have an Indiana cross. She’s been everything we hoped for. This is the first equity win. our first in Indiana and as Rodolphe said, she’ll be back.”
Hot Little Thing is the first stake winner for Army Mule, who stood in the 2022 season for $7,500 at Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa in Paris, Ky.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
