Trainer Bob Hess Jr. earned the 1,000th victory of his career when front-running So Tempted coasted to a 2 3/4-length victory in the first race at Hollywood Park Dec. 18.
Garrett Gomez rode So Tempted to the milestone win for Hess in a $16,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies. It was the second victory of the fall meeting at Hollywood for the 46-year-old trainer.
Hess began his career in 1983 as an assistant to his father, who was based in Northern California. The Chula Vista, Calif., native set out on his own in 1987, winning his first race that summer at Del Mar with Parlapiano. Hess has won two training titles each at Del Mar and Hollywood Park.
An active claiming trainer, Hess won the 1992 Del Mar Futurity (gr. II) with River Special, who went on to capture the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I), finish third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), and win the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I).
Other graded stakes winners for Hess include River Keen, Wekiva Springs, Know Heights, Slerp, Guide, D'wildcat, The Tender Track, Ocean Terrace, Chandtrue, Spring Meadow, Forty On Line, Chinese Dragon, Blueprint, and De Puntillas.
According to Equibase statistics, Hess runners have earned $31,783,825 from 6,633 starts through Dec. 17. His record includes 941 seconds and 889 thirds. In 2011, he has 34 wins from 238 starters.
Hess graduated with an economics degree from Stanford, where he also played baseball.
Bob Hess Jr.
Benoit Photography