Page 55 - Speedhorse February 2020

He Looks Hot wins the Moonist Handicap at Los Alamitos He Looks Hot wins the Spencer L. Childers California Breeders’ Championship-RG1
To this day, Willoughby watches the gelding’s diet even more carefully than the rest of his barn. He also works hard to keep He Looks Hot happy, which usually involves letting him do his job.
“This horse loves to train,” said Willoughby. “He loves being a racehorse.”
When He Looks Hot goes to the track in the mornings, Willoughby and jockey Vinnie Bednar let him take his time.
“He spends 10-15 minutes out there just looking around,” said Willoughby. “He loves to see what’s going on.”
Willoughby has trained for Allred for 14 years and has had He Looks Hot for five of them. (He Looks Hot missed the entire 2015 season.)
“He was an amazing horse when he won the Two Million,” Willoughby said. “We thought we had one of the best horses in the country. To have him come back after all the troubles...” The trainer shook his head, as if he still couldn’t believe what He Looks Hot has accomplished.
He Looks Hot began 2019 by winning
his trial for the Brad McKinzie Winter Championship-G1 and running fourth in
the final. During the year, he added the Moonist Handicap and the Spencer L.
Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap-G1. It was the second time He Looks
Hot won the Childers, named for the longtime breeder and Allred’s good friend and mentor.
But the Champion of Champions remained the primary goal. He Looks Hot had competed in the prestigious race three times before and never hit the board. This time, however, he powered to the front from the moment the gate opened and won the 440-yard event by 1/2-length.
He Looks Hot defeated a stellar field in the Grade 1 Champion of Champions. Zoomin For Spuds had won the race in 2016, and Jesstacartel and BH Lisas Boy had finished second and third in 2018. Hotstepper and Flash And Roll were Champions, while As And Js would later be named the year’s Champion Aged Mare.
“He’s a great horse,” said Willoughby. “He’s been running for five years years now, and he’s won a Grade 1 every year. He’s got a big heart. He’s proven himself.”
Despite all of the horses Allred has bred, He Looks Hot became the first World Champion that he has bred and raced. Allred did breed World Champion Freaky, but did not race him.
“It’s amazing that he
has never raised a World Champion,” said Willoughby. “I know he’s very happy that the horse is a Champion. He likes this horse a lot.”
Owner Dr. Ed Allred, jockey Vinnie Bednar, trainer Scott Willoughby
SPEEDHORSE, February 2020 53
Los Alamitos Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos