Stakes winning juvenile Hit The Road was a brilliant winner of the G3 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, his first run this preparation. He strode home to a dazzling 3 ¾ length win, delivering great friend and trainer Dan Blacker his first Graded stakes win.
The imposing son of More Than Ready was purchased by Boomer Bloodstock at Keeneland September in 2019 with Blacker for a group of loyal clients. He showed natural ability as a juvenile, and has returned off an eight month layoff to run the turf mile in an unchallenged, scintillating 1:33.35.
Blacker was thrilled with the result, raving about Hit The Road after the win. “He’s just a really special horse and I am so lucky to have him… he was born a great horse. For me, the horse is a champion in my eyes and I’m just so thankful to the group of owners.”
It was personally an exceptionally rewarding victory for Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell, who has known Dan since they were classmates on Darley Flying Start over a decade ago. Craig purchased Dan his first winner as a trainer, with Hit The Road now becoming his first Graded stakes winner.
“I’m so proud of Dan and even prouder of Hit The Road. He’s a magnificent horse. To resume off a layoff and put in a race like that, easily and in a fast time, it’s hard not to get very excited about what he might be able to do this summer.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who has now ridden Hit The Road to three consecutive wins, took his hat off to the horse for his performance. “He was so good today. At the top of the stretch, he had good acceleration and covered good ground.”
This win brings Hit The Road’s total winnings to US$254,741 with his career record currently standing at five wins for eight starts.
