Hard West still a major factor at age 6

Gone Astray’s 15th winner of 2023 came at a venue far from his birthplace, at Assiniboia Downs in Western Canada.

Hard West, a rare 6-year-old still competing who is not a gelding, scored his ninth career victory during a successful six-race span in which he’s 2-2-1-1. With Antonio Whitehall in the irons, Hard West was off well in the race at five furlongs, made a three-wide run on the turn to take the lead into the stretch and held two rivals safe to win by nearly two lengths.

Bred by JDBA Stables, Hard West paid $4.30 after getting the distance in :59.55, and earned a check for $9,900 Canadian, $7,330 U. S. He’s 9-6-5 in 46 starts with a lifetime bankroll of $159,841.