Hero Status Race Recap

It was back to back wins for Hero Status as the 3-year-old colt was victorious in Sunday’s 8th race at Santa Anita Park.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Hero Status found himself on the lead today and held on by a neck while defeating six rivals in the $63,000 first-level allowance race at the Great Race Place.

In a race which lacked early pace and Hero Status adding the blinkers, Smith took it to the field early after breaking sharply. The son of Flatter set fractions of 23.52 and 47.72 for the opening quarter and half mile, encountering his first test as he took the field into the far turn. With a quarter-mile to go, Smith cued Hero Status who responded willingly and started to open up at the top of the stretch. Hero Status was challenged a second time by Street Ruckus in the final sixteenth but fended him off gamely and galloped out well clear of the field. In a post race interview with Smith, which can be found above, he said, “When he gets on the lead by himself, he tends to look around. Next time around when he gets a target, I think he will focus even more.” Smith also indicated he had plenty under him, finding another gear once he was challenged late by the runner-up.

As the even money favorite, Hero Status returned $4.00 for a $2 win bet. He completed the mile distance in 1:36.45 (identical to his maiden win) over a track labeled fast.

Trainer Mark Glatt said: “Nice to pick up another win with this colt. He started to goof off a bit when he was clear in the stretch. As the competition gets harder moving forward, I believe it will be a benefit as he will get some faster horses to sit off of. As Mike mentioned after the race, I think he does his best running with a target.”

Additionally, you can order winner’s circle photos through Santa Anita’s track photographer here.