Eight-year-old Minnesota bred Hot Shot Kid is entered to race in Keeneland’s fourth race on Thursday, a $50,000 claiming race with a $75,000 purse at 1 1/6th miles on the main track. A victory by the Mac Robertson trainee would mimic last year when Hot Shot Kid left Canterbury at the end of the season, ran at the Keeneland Fall Meet in a $50,000 claimer at Thursday’s distance and won at 14 to 1. Francisco Arrieta was aboard last October and is named to ride this week as well. Another similarity, he was winless in 2021 at Canterbury as he is this year.
Hot Shot Kid, a cinch for the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame when he ultimately retires, is the second all-time money earner for a Minnesota bred with $688,924, just $11,915 behind Mr. Jagermeister whose career ended earlier this year. A second-place finish or better Thursday would make him number one.
A workout over the Keeneland track covering five furlongs in 1.02:40 breezing was recorded on Sunday. Hot Shot Kid, by Majestic Warrior, was bred by the late Warren Bush and campaigns under Bush’s estate.
