Hello Hot Rod Holds Gamely In Jimmy Winkfield

OZONE PARK, NY – Trainer Brittany Russell’s red-hot Hello Hot Rod extended his win streak to 3 with a game hold on the front end in Sunday’s $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct.

Hello Hot Rod broke from the rail under Trevor McCarthy as the 7/5 co-favorite and went straight to the lead, where he set fractions of :23.86 and :48.16 while Return the Ring gave closest watch.

Turned loose at the top of the stretch, Hello Hot Rod held off valiant efforts from Return the Ring (who briefly took command late) and an outside-rallying Pico d’Oro to secure victory by a head.

Hello Hot Rod completed the 7-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:26.30.

“(Return the Ring) kind of came back on again, so a big effort by the other horse,” McCarthy said. “I think (Hello Hot Rod) got more involved. When the other horse got in front, he said, ‘No thanks, you’re not beating me.’”

Pico d’Oro crossed a 1/2-length behind in third.

Scotch Rock’s and Magnificent Chrome completed the order of finish in the race restricted to 3-year-olds.

Weyburn was a veterinarian scratch.

Hello Hot Rod’s win followed triumphs going 7 and 8 furlongs at Laurel Park with Russell’s husband Sheldon in the irons. The Maryland-bred Mosler colt’s record now stands at 4-3-1-0 with $113,941 earned for co-owners Russell and Dark Horse Racing.

“Sheldon told me that he’s game as can be, he’ll give you 100% and he likes to fight,” McCarthy said. “When he hooks one, he’ll keep giving, and that’s what he did today. Thank you to Brittany and Sheldon, it’s good to win one for good friends.”

Hello Hot Rod returned $4.80 to win and $2.30 to place. Return the Ring paid to $3.30 to place. There was no show betting.