This win in the 2003 De Francis Dash was a highlight of the career of A Huevo.
A Huevo, a 9-year-old gelding owned by Mark Hopkins and winner of the 2003 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) was euthanized after being pulled up soon after the start and vanned off following the West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes the evening of Oct. 8. The son of Cool Joe had been the 1-2 favorite in the nine-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots.A Huevo, bred in West Virginia by Daniel Lopez, won six of 12 starts and earned $389,750. A Huevo finished first in the West Virginia Breeders' Classic in the fall of 1999, but was disqualified and placed 10th after setting a track record of 1:50.10.A Huevo rose to national prominence after his stunning grade I victory in the De Francis--a win that came in his third start off nearly a four-year layoff--while being trained by Michael Dickinson at his Tapeta Farm in North East, Md.Dickinson, known for his patience and maintaining confidence in his runners, had nursed and trained the horse back into racing shape after suffering numerous setbacks.His start in this year's West Virginia Breeders' Classic came after more than a 10-month layoff. He had not started since finishing 11th in the Fred Hooper Handicap (gr. III) at Calder last Dec. 18.Out of the Baldski mare Verabald, A Huevo was purchased privately by Hopkins from Lisa Moscarelli in 1999.
