Harold L. Queen’s Hot Summer was reported to have exited
her victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, six-furlong Victory Ride presented by Jose
Cuervo in good shape, trainer David Fawkes said Sunday morning.
Fawkes said he thought Hot
Summer, who was cutting back in distance off a third in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed
Susan in May, would get a good set up in yesterday’s race, and the trainer was
glad it unfolded according to plan.
“She ran a huge race, and she
came out of it great,” said Fawkes. “It was a very tough race – very
competitive. I thought the cutback was beneficial. When the past performances
came out online before we even entered, I saw there was a lot of speed, and when
the race came out I was very happy. I thought it’d really be beneficial for
her.”
Fawkes said Hot Summer’s next
start will likely be in another sprint.
“There’s a race at Charles Town
worth $400,000 going seven-eighths [Charles Town Oaks, September 17],” said
Fawkes. “The only issue with the extra turn is that she ran off in the
Black-Eyed Susan. She was so keen, and there was no speed in the race at
all.”