High hopes as Hence starts up

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hence is launching his 4-year-old season Friday at Oaklawn, near the anniversary of his richest win. It was this week a year ago that he captured the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.

Hence goes in the eighth race, an optional $80,000 claiming route for 4-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles. Every horse in the field is a stakes winner, with Hence, Shotgun Kowboy, Far Right, and Rated R Superstar all having won Grade 3’s.

“It’s a good race, a very solid race,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Hence for breeder-owner Calumet Farm.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hence, by Street Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-92)

◗ Hence won a maiden race last meet at Oaklawn, and two starts later won the Sunland Derby in New Mexico, which catapulted him to the Kentucky Derby, where he finished 11th. Over the summer, Hence captured the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.

◗ The race Friday will be his first since September. He was freshened after his 3-year-old campaign, according to Asmussen.

◗ Hence shows a strong series of works at Fair Grounds for his return. He will break from the rail under Ricardo Santana Jr.

“He’s training great right now,” Asmussen said. “It’s a good spot to get him back going.”

◗ Hence ran in graded stakes in seven of his eight starts last year, while earning more than $600,000.

“He’s a very sound horse that has talent,” Asmussen said. “Hopefully, we can ease him back into racing and build a little more confidence in him, and build a little more foundation. Hopefully, he’ll be a top-level horse by the end of the year.”

◗ Hence is a strong closer and could get the right kind of setup behind such rivals as Shotgun Kowboy, Dan the Go to Man, and Prime Engine.

Rated R Superstar, by Kodiak Kowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-88)

◗ He is another closer who would benefit from a hot pace Friday. He won an optional $80,000 claiming route Jan. 27 at Oaklawn, then closed from last to finish sixth in the track’s Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap in his most recent start Feb. 19.

◗ Alex Canchari has the mount for Radar Racing and trainer Ken McPeek.

Shotgun Kowboy, by Kodiak Kowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 82-93-89)

◗ He went over $1 million in career earnings Feb. 3, when he rolled to a five-length allowance win at Oaklawn.

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount for C.R. Trout, who bred, owns, and trains Shotgun Kowboy.

BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON The 4-year-old Hence, training Monday at Oaklawn, won the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and the Grade 3 Iowa Derby last year.