Though it was at the lowly $250,000 claiming level, the runaway victory by Hot Ice in Sunday's opener over 7f was an eye-catcher.
Sparingly raced over the last 13 months, she was eligible to race at this level without a claim tag since she had won only 2 races as a 6-year-old.
But, according to betMaster scouts, she was well prepared and looked in immaculate physical condition when leaving the Lasix barn on Sunday.
Breaking from the #3 post, she was away in good order but was slow to get going early. She was ridden hard to join the leading group, and caught up quickly to be within two lengths of the lead after a furlong. She steadied slightly whilst in a tight group of horses leaving the 5/8th pole, and had to tap on the brakes again mid turn while seemingly full of run. She found a seam between horses leaving the final turn, and her rider wasted no time in sending her to the fore, drawing off to win by 9 lengths under mild urging. She also didn't switch leads the entire stretch.
Hot Ice was used hard for positioning early, had to stop and start, and still won 'off the TV'.
This was a competitive race for the level. While odds on favourite Musketoon was a no-show, the 2nd (Tradition), 3rd (Ridewiththemob) and 4th place (Quora) finishers have been consistently competitive.
Regardless, the key to handicapping claiming races is wellness and soundness. Hot Ice is certainly both.
Assuming she stays that way, a one mile $350,000 claiming race on February 20 is an ideal spot for Hot Ice. That's enough time for her to recover from the top effort she exhibited on Sunday.
