Oklahoma-bred Hollywood Hit led favored Fatal Bullet all the way while establishing a track record for seven furlongs at Woodbine in winning the $147,038 Vigil Stakes (Can-III) May 9.
Hollywood Hit posted a time of 1:20.07 over the Polytrack, .44 of a second faster than Disfunction's previous record time set in winning the 2008 Vigil.
It was the sixth consecutive win for the brilliant 4-year-old Cactus Ridge gelding, although he was disqualified from purse money following a post-race drug test after winning the King Corie Stakes last Sept. 30. Hollywood Hit set the Woodbine Polytrack record for six furlongs in that race (1:07.39) but was found to have exceeded the legal threshold for the tranquilizer Acepromazine. Trainer Terry Jordan was suspended for 90 days by Ontario stewards as a result.
In his first start after that incident, Hollywood Hit won the Jacques Cartier Stakes by a half-length April 11 at Woodbine when saddled by trainer Daniel O'Callaghan.
Returning to action for Jordan in the Vigil, Hollywood Hit was ultra-impressive while dealing 2008 Canadian Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet a three-length defeat. Holywood Hit was in firm control at every call, clicking off speedy quarter-mile fractions of :22.08 and :43.72. Hollywood Hit led by two lengths in the stretch and inched farther away from Fatal Bullet in the final stages under slight right-handed urging from jockey Jim McAleney.
"Even though he's got a high cruising speed, this horse was comfortable," said McAleney. "I was very confident. This horse is incredible. I feel very privileged."
Fatal Bullet, ridden Eurico Da Silva, ran second all the way, with Signature Red and Chantal Sutherland third at each call in the merry-go-round race. Signature Red finished three-quarters of a length behind Fatal Bullet, the slight 2-1 choice in his first race since finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 7.
Jordan was only mildly concerned about the fast fractions.
"When they go that fast, you're always worried how they're going to finish. I know he's a very good horse," Jordan said. "He (worked in :33 3/5 breezing) the other morning and we had to pick him up with the pony. I've never been around one like this guy."
Owned by Peter Redekop, Hollywood Hit earned $86,211 for his sixth lifetime win (excluding the KIng Corie victory) in 11 races and boosted his purse total to $319,175. C.R. Trout bred the dark bay. Hollywood Hit is out of Solid Hit, by Time for a Change.
Hollywood Hit carried 119 pounds and paid $7.80, $4.30, and $3.30, combining with Fatal Bullet ($4.20, $2.90) for a $23.90 exacta. Signature Red ($3.80) rounded out a trifecta worth $132.50. Fourth-place Field Commission , who finished 4 3/4 lengths behind the winner, completed a $1 superfecta worth $146.40.
Completing the order of finish were Grazettes Landing, Together Indy, and Awesome Rhythm.
