Hot Summer - The Comely (G3)
1,015 views · Published 9 April 2011 · 1:47 · Indexed 21 October 2026
Channel: The New York Racing Association · 2011 · Sports
The Grade 3, $150,000 Comely for 3-year-old fillies went to Hot Summer, who saved ground en route to a 2 ¼-length victory. Hot Summer, carrying the colors of Harold L. Queen, settled in third through an opening half mile of 46.00 seconds, waited behind horses in fourth through three quarters in 1:10.09, and kicked clear after finding room to deep stretch. Her Smile rallied along the outside to get second. The final time for the one-turn mile was 1:35.58. "[I saw on paper] that she's got speed," said winning jockey Luis Saez, who was making his first start at Aqueduct. "When she got to the gate, she wanted to go, but I got hold of her. At the three-eighths pole, I waited for the hole to open, and she responded. This is my first time riding here. I like it." Hot Summer, a daughter of Malibu Moon bred in Virginia by Lazy Lane Farms, paid $14.00 as the betting public's 6-1 fourth choice. Winning trainer David Fawkes said he believed Hot Summer would improve off her fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on February 26 at Gulfstream Park. "[Last time] she stumbled a little bit and was rushed a little bit, and that isn't her," said Fawkes. "We've been working hard with her to sit off the pace, and it worked out." Now 3-0-1 from 5 starts, Hot Summer earned $90,000 to push her bankroll to $158,200. She will likely stay in New York, according to her trainer. "We'll talk to Mr. Queen and try to make a plan," said Fawkes. "We'll find something. There will be something, somewhere." Her Smile finished two lengths ahead of favored Ava K. in second, with R Holiday Mood, Mysterious Chimes, and Vixen's Roar, and Royal Sighting completing the order of finish.
