HAWA runs big in Jerzey City Handicap

Half A World Away, affectionately known by fans and competitors alike as HAWA, won his first race in nearly a year with a strong finish in the G3 Jerzey City Handicap. The 4yo son of Belong To Me elevated his lifetime earnings to over $1.75 million with the three-quarter-length victory.

HAWA is trained out of the foxvbullet stable, which is part of the Nextbonus empire. The colt was not well regarded by the track oddsmaker, and sent off at 9-1, despite just once finishing worse than third at the 9f distance. Bettors who noted this fact in the horse’s past performances and astutely paired him with the field favorite Quincannon in exactas were able to net a $102.40 return.

The race set up as expected, with Lilbitfarm’s Quincannon taking an early lead. Dan’s Empire (from the acote4 stable) chased him through the first quarter, but gave way to Burnin’s Seeking The Brave in the stalking position by the second call. HAWA, guided by jockey J Benisz, bided his time several lengths off the lead through the first half, then began gradually moving up as the field turned for home. He was in second about three lengths behind Quincannon at the top of the stretch, but quickly reduced the margin to nothing and won by just under a length. Harpers Folly, owned by Wisjoel, closed very strongly, but ran out of room to finish a length behind Quincannon. Afc2’s Don Pedro eased into fourth, but never posed a serious threat.

HAWA earned a 108SP for the 1:47.4 final time. It was a second off the stakes record set in 2004 by Millie’s Gold. It was HAWA’s highest SP ever. The 2004 Juvenile Colt Eclipse winner now holds a record of 28:8-5-3.