He's Comin In Hot Sizzles in Bashford Manor Win

Jun 28, 2015 John Asher

Douglas Scharbauer’s He’s Comin In Hot preserved his reputation as one of the fastest young horses in North America when he rolled to a 3 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s 114^th running of the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

The Texas-bred son of Early Flyer jumped to a quick early advantage from his inside post and turned back a challenge by runner-up Show Bound in the stretch to win the six-furlong race by two lengths under jockey Jamie Theriot.  A 4-5 favorite trained by Bret Calhoun, He’s Comin In Hot covered six furlongs in 1:10.90 over a fast track as he scored his second victory in as many races at Churchill Downs and his second win in four career races.

“He got his feet out under him very well in the first few jumps and was able to clear and not take early pressure,” Calhoun said.  “That was my main concern with the one-hole. But I thought he was the kind of horse that could overcome it but you’ve got to have gate speed. He got a comfortable lead.”

He's Comin In Hot returned $3.60, $2.40 and $2.20 as the odds-on favorite in the Bashford Manor.  Show Boss, the 5-2 second choice ridden by Julien Leparoux, easily held second and paid $3.20 and $3.20.  Patrick Rocks finished third under Corey Lanerie and paid $4.40 to show.

 

The impressive victory improved I’m Comin In Hot’s career record to 2-1-1 in four races with earnings of $96,510.

He’s Comin In Hot led the Bashford Manor field through sharp fractional times of :22.12, :46.21 and and :58.18.  The Steve Asmussen-trained Show Bound was the only rival to offer a challenge to the winner and his runner-up finish left him without a victory after two starts in his young career.

“He ran a good race. The winner had run the fastest races and he continued to so.”

Patrick Rocks finished 3 ¾ lengths back of Show Bound in third, and was followed past the finish by Dothat Dance, Sapphire Storm, Roman’s Chance and Shoot Craps.

BASHFORD MANOR QUOTES

BRET CALHOUN, trainer of HE’S COMIN IN HOT (winner): “He broke very sharp just like he did last time. He got his feet out under him very well in the first few jumps and was able to clear and not take early pressure. That was my main concern with the one-hole. But I thought he was the kind of horse that could overcome it but you’ve got to have gate speed. He got a comfortable lead.

“We’ll take a look at the Sanford next or race at Prairie Meadows on the 18^th of July.”

JAMIE THERIOT, jockey on HE’S COMIN IN HOT (winner): “He broke sharp and you know Robby (Albarado on Sapphire Storm) was there and then all of a sudden he disappeared. He was just in a high cruising speed. Down the backside he had his ears pricked. It was easy and I said, ‘It’s over with.’

               Q: How concerned were you about drawing the rail? “In his first two starts, he got beat because he didn’t leave (the starting gate). We did a little work with him and he broke really sharp when he broke his maiden. When we drew the one hole I thought if I could get him to leave like he did when he broke his maiden, I wasn’t worried. And he did. He’s getting better. I think he’s going to be a nice horse.”

STEVE ASMUSSEN, trainer of SHOW BOUND (runner-up): “He ran a good race. The winner had run the fastest races and he continued to so.”

Q: But a promising effort for Show Bound? “Absolutely.  It was just his second out and he ran solid.”

JULIEN LEPAROUX, jockey on SHOW BOUND (runner-up): “He ran a good race. He was just second-best today. He put me in the race fine and he sat second there. I came to (He’s Comin In Hot) at the quarter and I thought maybe we were going to keep going, but he came again. We were just second-best.”