Cupid Returns From Layoff to Win Gold Cup
An eight-month layoff seemed to have little effect on Cupid in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) as he won the 1 1/4-mile test May 27 by 3 1/4 lengths.
Hard Aces
- Bay Colt
- Born 2010
- KY-Bred
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Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
BENOIT PHOTO
Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
BENOIT PHOTO
Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
BENOIT PHOTO
Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
BENOIT PHOTO
Hard Aces wins the 2017 Tokyo City Cup (G3)
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
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Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
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Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces and jockey Santiago Gonzalez win the 2016 Cougar II Handicap.
Chad Harmon
Hard Aces at the Breeders' Cup.
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Hard Aces and jockey Victor Espinoza are victorious in the Gold Cup (gr. 1) at Santa Anita on June 27, 2015.
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Hard Aces wins the 2015 Gold Cup.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Gold Cup.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Gold Cup.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Gold Cup.
Benoit Photo
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Gold Cup.
Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Louisiana Handicap.
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Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Hard Aces wins the 2015 Louisiana Handicap.
- News
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Will American Freedom Upset the Gold Cup?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1).
Midnight Storm Seeks Grade 1 Dirt Win in Gold Cup
Midnight Storm will have another shot at a grade 1 win on dirt in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, and he won't have to contend with Shaman Ghost, who came back to win the Pimlico Special Handicap (G3) May 19 off his Big 'Cap victory.
Hard Aces Grinds Out Tokyo City Cup Victory
The 7-year-old son of Hard Spun has two wins in his last 17 starts and both have come on the dirt at 1 1/2 miles.
Big John B Seeks Tokyo City Cup Repeat
With a relatively short turf prep race under his belt, Michael House's Big John B will attempt to repeat his 2016 victory in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) April 2 at Santa Anita Park.
Midnight Storm Rolls Into Santa Anita Handicap
All it took was a couple starts on dirt for Midnight Storm to go from gutsy turf miler to highweight in the premier handicap race on the West Coast.
Hoppertunity Grinds Out Another San Antonio Score
Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman's Hoppertunity grinded out his second straight victory in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) Feb. 4 and pushed his earnings to more than $4 million with the victory.
Hoppertunity Seeks San Antonio Repeat
Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman’s Hoppertunity will look for his second straight score in the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes (G2) Feb. 4 at Santa Anita Park.
Midnight Storm Runs Away With Native Diver
The 5-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile galloped out to an easy lead, was never threatened, and drew off to a 7 3/4-length victory.
Midnight Storm Back on Dirt for Native Diver
Midnight Storm, whose more than $1.28 million in earnings have been picked up mostly in grass races, will switch back to dirt for the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III) Nov. 27 at Del Mar.
Scuba Floats to Victory in Marathon Stakes
Scuba got the first day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships off to an impressive start as he stayed the 14 furlongs of the grade II Marathon Stakes, running away from the field for a decisive victory.
'Chrome' Cruises to Awesome Again Win
California Chrome’s winning margin in the $300,000 Awesome Again (gr. I) was 2 1/4 lengths over Dortmund, but anyone who watched knows better.
California Chrome Draws Rail in Awesome Again
Art Sherman was a swirling mixture of exasperation and confidence when he learned of California Chrome's draw for the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome Superior in Pacific Classic
The margin was insignificant, because the field never had a chance against California Chrome Aug. 20 in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I).
Star Trio Set for Historic Pacific Classic
With fingers crossed seemingly all across the country from fans hoping for a clash of West Coast superstars Aug. 20 in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), the stage is finally set.
Hard Aces Too Tough in Cougar II
Hronis Racing's Hard Aces took control at the start and repelled a stern challenge from Quick Casablanca around the final turn to win the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) July 24 at Del Mar.
Hard Aces Stands Out in Cougar II
Grade I winner Hard Aces highlights a field of six entered for the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) July 24 at Del Mar.
'Chrome,' Dortmund Face Off in San Diego 'Cap
Back in his namesake state for more than three months now, California Chrome is set to resume his 2016 campaign July 23 in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar, where he'll take on fellow multiple grade I winner Dortmund.
Melatonin Game in Gold Cup Victory
Tarabilla Farms' Melatonin clinched his second grade I of the year June 25 in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
That Handicapping Show: The Gold Cup
Claire Novak, Ellis Starr, and Tom LaMarra preview the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I), featuring Melatonin, Hoppertunity, Second Summer, Hard Aces, and Imperative. Sponsored by Equibase.
Melatonin, Hoppertunity Face Off in Gold Cup
If the 1 1/4 miles truly is his sweet spot, Melatonin should be primed for another big run in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I) June 25, a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Follow Me Crev Takes His Shot in Californian
Follow Me Crev's connections were disappointed when a severe quarter crack knocked him out of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), but he's made his way back and will seek his first graded stakes score May 22 in the Californian (gr. II).
Imperative, Page McKenney Return for Charles Town Classic
Imperative and Page McKenney, second and third, respectively, behind Moreno in last year's Charles Town Classic (gr. II), are among 10 older horses entered in the $1.25 million event April 23 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Charles Town Classic Attracts 56 Nominees
In keeping with tradition, California-based horses again populate the list of nominees for the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II), which this year will be run April 23.
Melatonin 16-1 Stunner in Big 'Cap
Tarabilla Farms' Melatonin provided a 16-1 shocker in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), taking the field of nine gate-to-wire to score by 4 1/4 lengths March 12.
Effinex, General a Rod Ship in for Big 'Cap
With the likes of California Chrome and Hoppertunity heading overseas for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 12 appears primed for East Coast invaders looking to take advantage.
Hoppertunity Edges Imperative in San Antonio
A year-long stretch of near misses ended for Hoppertunity Feb. 6 in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Runners for 'Team Baffert' Head San Antonio
Dortmund may be on the sidelines for now, but Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert still holds a good hand going into the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 6 at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome Powerful in Winning Return
He had new co-owners and new silks, but California Chrome got his mojo back with a powerful victory in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, his first start off a nine-month layoff.
'Chrome' May Encounter Wet Track in Return
California Chrome is scheduled to face seven other older horses in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park, but with rain in the forecast, he could be racing over wet footing for the first time.
American Pharoah Romps in BC Classic
American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown winner to run in the Breeders' Cup, went out an emphatic winner Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
American Pharoah's M-L Odds Lowered to 4-5
Following the scratch of Beholder from the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has lowered Triple Crown winner American Pharoah's morning-line odds from 6-5 to 4-5.
Honor Code Leads Classic Contenders to Track
The multiple grade I winner had a brisk gallop at Keeneland after visiting the paddock Oct. 28. Frosted and Keen Ice also made appearances on the track for the first time.
Hard Aces Takes a Classic Shot
Hronis Racing's Hard Aces has benefited from a West Coast racing lineup without Shared Belief or California Chrome, but will take his shot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) nonetheless. acquiring
Stellar Wind Goes Long in Santa Anita Breeze
Hronis Racing's Stellar Wind put in a seven-furlong breeze Oct. 17 at Santa Anita Park, covering the distance in 1:27 1/5 in her penultimate drill in preparation for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).
Training Progeny of Hard Spun
Training Progeny of Hard Spun: Wicked Strong, Free as a Bird, Hard Aces and More! view slideshow
Smooth Roller Runs Away in Awesome Again
In only the fourth start of his career, Lucky Charm Stable's Smooth Roller lived up to his name with an impressive score in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
Is the Awesome Again Bayern's Last Stand?
Yet to find the winner's circle so far in his 4-year-old campaign, the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 26 may be Bayern's last hurrah.
Beholder Tagged Favorite in Pacific Classic
Trainer Richard Mandella said he'd try two-time champion Beholder against males in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), as long as she showed she was ready three weeks after her romp in the Clement L. Hirsch (gr. I).
That Handicapping Show: The Pacific Classic
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Pacific Classic (gr. I) featuring Beholder, Bayern, Catch a Flight, Hard Aces, and Red Vine. Watch Video
That Handicapping Show: The Pacific Classic
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Pacific Classic (gr. I) featuring Beholder, Bayern, Catch a Flight, Hard Aces, and Red Vine. Download Equibase Past Performances for the Pacific Classic.
Beholder Logs First Del Mar Breeze of Summer
A slew of graded stakes winners recorded timed workouts July 22 at Del Mar, highlighted by Spendthrift Farm's two-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder.
Slideshow: The Week in Photos for 6/30/2015
Santa Anita, Prairie Meadows, Churchill Downs, Monmouth Park, Parx, Woodbine and More. View Slideshow
Hard Aces Rides Rail to Win Gold Cup
Things have been working out for Victor Espinoza lately; the $500,000 Gold Cup (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park was the most recent example.
Finnegans Wake Moves to Dirt for Gold Cup
Finnegans Wake has found success running on grass late in his career, but trainer Peter Miller feels it is time to send him back to dirt for the $500,000 Gold Cup (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park June 27.
Catch a Flight Outduels Moreno in Californian
Haras Santa Maria de Araras' Catch a Flight claimed his second straight graded victory May 30, outdueling favored Moreno in the stretch to win the $200,000 Californian Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Moreno Seeks First SoCal Win in Californian
Surprise Charles Town Classic (gr. II) winner Moreno will return to Santa Anita Park May 30 for the $200,000 Californian Stakes (gr. II).
Shared Belief Untouchable in Big 'Cap
Shared Belief did what was expected of him in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, blowing an overmatched group of horses away with ease.
Shared Belief a Massive Favorite in Big 'Cap
The field for the $1 million, 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7 is full, but beyond headliner Shared Belief, the race lacks the potential star power that appeared to be possible when nominations came out.
Hard Aces Bought Privately, Moving to Sadler
Hard Aces, sharp winner of the Louisiana Handicap in his first start of 2015, has been sold privately to Hronis Racing with plans to ship to Southern California to take on Shared Belief in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.
Connections
| Trainer | John W. Sadler |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Santiago Gonzalez |
| Owner | Hronis Racing LLC |
| Breeder | Dreamchaser Thorobreds |
Pedigree
| Hard Aces View Five-Cross Pedigree | Hard Spun | Danzig |
| Turkish Tryst | ||
| All in With Aces | Quiet American | |
| Aces |
Auction History
No auction history found.
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