Page 29 - Speedhorse October 2018

All American Derby-G1
HOTSTEPPER
By Tracy Gantz
Hotstepper has a large and supportive team behind him, and their efforts paid off
in a huge way in the Sept. 2 All American
Derby-G1.
“We thought that if he ran his race back
that he ran in the trials, the horse would be tough to beat,” said Tom Goncharoff.
Goncharoff and his wife, Leslie, manage Crystal Springs Farm in Tularosa, New Mexico, for R.D. Hubbard, who owns Hotstepper with Johnny Cope, Ray Willis (Rafter W Stables), and Henry Southway. The team includes trainer Sleepy Gilbreath, jockey Cody Jensen, and Hubbard’s grandson Shaun Hubbard.
“Sleepy told us that in the last month or so that horse has been a lot happier horse,” said Goncharoff. “He’s more settled at the barn, a little more content, actually had gained some weight, and showed more focus in the starting gate.”
In the past, Hotstepper “would get himself beat, make a mistake at the gate, and come driving at the end,” Goncharoff said. As a result,
dug in and held off Fly Baby Fly and Papaws Paint to win by a neck in :21.274 for 440 yards.
“He has qualified for all the dances, and he got it done this time,” said R.D. Hubbard.
Hubbard and Gilbreath were winning their fourth All American Derby, while Jensen was winning his second.
“As tough as that group was, you can’t spot them any distance, that’s for sure,” said Goncharoff. “Cody has done such a great job. He’s such a good rider.”
Tom and Leslie Goncharoff and Shaun Hubbard were part of the team that selected Hotstepper at the 2016 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for $63,000.
“Hotstepper passed the vet exam, and we gave our short list to Mr. Hubbard,” said Tom. “He and his partners get together and decide which ones they want to bid on.”
Tom recalls Hotstepper as “very well made, balanced, and correct from a very strong breeder.”
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Hotstepper had some very classy credentials but no stakes victories. He ran second in the 2017 Texas Classic Futurity-G1 and third in the 2017 All American Futurity-G1 and 2018 Mr Jess Perry Derby.
Then Hotstepper put it together in his All American Derby trial, winning by a length as the second-fastest qualifier.
“Credit Sleepy Gilbreath and his team for that,” said Goncharoff. “He’s obviously one of the legends in our business. He’s more than just our trainer. This is like a big family.”
In the final, Hotstepper got away well from the gate. Goncharoff complimented Jensen’s ride, and the jockey in turn praised the gate crew.
“I wanted to give a big shoutout to my headman, Shawn,” said Jensen. “He made the difference. The horse started throwing his head in the gate. Shawn reached down and grabbed him and settled him down.”
Hotstepper led the field throughout the 440 yards, at one point 1/2-length in front. He gamely
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SPEEDHORSE, October 2018 27