Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Hit Show
Feb 26, 2023
Gary and Mary West’s homebred Hit Show put himself on the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his 5 1/2-length romp in the $250,000
Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Feb. 11. Trained by Brad Cox, the winner completed nine furlongs on the fast main surface in 1:54.71 under the guidance
of jockey Manuel Franco.
'We've known from the start he would
stretch out and be at his best around two turns, and I'm proud of what he was
able to accomplish. He needs to get bigger and stronger and continue his march
to the
Kentucky Derby,' Cox said about his pupil.
The
son of Candy Ride was bred in Kentucky and is the first black-type winner
produced from the Tapit mare Actress, a two-time graded stakes heroine who
bagged the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) at Pimlico. His second dam is Canadian
Champion Milwaukee Appeal, winner of the 2009 Woodbine Oaks.
Hit Show debuted on October 9 at Keeneland and registered an off-the-pace tally in
a seven-furlong maiden special weight event. The gray returned in an allowance
route at Churchill Downs and finished fourth in a deep
field, prior to concluding his two-year-old campaign with a strong allowance
victory at Oaklawn Park on December 17.
He has posted Brisnet Speed numbers of 84-84-89-96 from four lifetime races
to date, and he looks to have further room for improvement going forward.
The colt has proven to be more than capable of handling the 1 1/8-mile distance,
and he possesses both the running style and catalog page to extend his ability
to classic distances with additional seasoning. He is an exciting Triple Crown
contender.
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