TORONTO, August 25, 2024 – Junior Hot Shot earned his first stakes victory after a gutsy performance in Sunday’s $100,000 Elgin at Woodbine.

Trained by John Ross for T and T Racing Team, the dark bay colt, who was contesting his fourth straight stakes event, arrived at the seven-furlong test over the all-weather track off a fifth in the Lake Superior on August 4.

Things went far more swimmingly on this day.

Speedeeman lived up to his name, zipping to the lead from the rail, as Justin Stein, aboard Junior Hot Shot, had his charge settled into second just off the pacesetter through an opening panel in :23.19.

It was status quo after a half in :46.44, with Stein waiting to give Junior Hot Shot his cue. That moment came around the turn for home, as the pair forged to the front and took over the proceedings.

Ahead by three lengths at the stretch call, Junior Hot Shot, the 2-1 choice, braced for the challenge of a hard-charging Yacht Boy and dug in gamely to hold his rival at bay by three-quarters of a length. Garofoli was third and Cooler Man took fourth.

The final time was 1:24.35.

“This horse, he’s got a lot of heart and a lot of talent,” said Stein, of the son of Souper Speedy- Executive Dreamer, who now fashions a record of 3-1-1 from seven starts. “He’s really versatile. And he really showed a lot of grit down the lane, just holding off the challenger, and he really knows how to win, and wanted it today.”

Bred by Dr. B. Van Arem, Junior Hot Shot, who was a $55,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, won his debut last October at Woodbine before a second next time out in the Frost King Stakes.

He opened his 3-year-old season, on May 10 at Woodbine, in winning style.

“It’s definitely conformation,” said Ross, of what stood out to him at the sale. “He’s got the body to go with the lovely foot and bone, that matches and coordinates, and when you get all those packages together as well as a really nice personality and attitude, I knew something had to come of this horse.”

Junior Hot Shot paid $6.90 for the win. If You Insist was scratched.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine