Anomaly Hard West closing in on $100,000

Hard West is an anomaly in the world of thoroughbred racing – a 5-year-old male who is not a gelding but still active at the race track.

The son of Gone Astray gave his sire his ninth winner of 2022 yesterday with a slick, come-from-behind victory at Parx Racing. Jermain Burke was aboard in the test at 7 furlongs and he sent Hard West out quickly from the No. 2 post, then reined him in and took up a position on the inside in a perfect stalking third. Hard West slipped through on the rail into second on the turn, swung out into the two path and took over the lead heading into the stretch, then held off the lone late challenger by a head at the wire.

Hard West raced the 7 furlongs in 1:25.64 and paid $25, while raising his record to 6-3-4 in 29 starts. The $12,600 winner’s check boosted his earnings to $93,866.