Hit the Road, an impressive maiden winner in his turf debut on July 28, could have his sights set on the Breeders’ Cup after another sharp score in the Oct. 6 Zuma Beach S. at Santa Anita Park.
The 2-year-old colt topped off a brilliant weekend for More Than Ready, following Uni’s (GB) win in the $400,000 First Lady S. (G1) and Global Quest (AUS) winning the Arrowfield Breeders Plate (G3), both on Oct. 5.
Hit the Road was full of run right from the gate, but was taken back and hard held by Victor Espinoza to drop to last as the field of seven entered the first turn. Still eager to run, Hit the Road was finally turned loose entering the final bend and immediately began passing horses while in the four path. He struck the front in upper stretch and quickly put the field behind him to win going away in 1:34.33 for the mile on the firm turf. He covered the last furlong in a sparkling :11.55.
Trainer Dan Blacker was asked if the Breeders’ Cup was the colt’s next stop “I hope so, if he gets in (the $1 million Juvenile Turf on Nov. 1). When we bought him we knew he had a grass pedigree and hopefully would run well on turf, but you never know until they do it. His pedigree was all European being by More Than Ready.”
Owned by D K Racing et al, Hit the Road was a $200,000 RNA at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Bred by Fred W. Hertrich III, he is the first foal out of Highway Mary, whose dam Wandering Star won the E. P. Taylor (G2) on the turf at Woodbine.
