Mensa Heat looking better than ever as he bags the On Trust Handicap after the Cal Cup Sprint disappointment
Trained Ted West proved to be a good omen for injury stricken 5-year-old gelding, Mensa Heat, because the gelded son of Unusual Heat has responded in style since being claimed by conditioner Ted West on 15 April, 2011, and since then Mensa Heat has won four
races out of seven starts.
Out of mare Chi Chi Neta by Ole’, Mensa Heat recovered from stomach ulcers and capped off his lengthy 2011 season with a big win in the $84,500 On Trust Handicap, which was the Hollywood Park’s closing day feature race, run over a distance of seven and a
half furlongs on 18 December, 2011.
The race was restricted for 3-year-old and above males, as the race reeled in seven colts and geldings over Hollywood Park’s synthetic surface.
Among a solid group of California bred sprinters, Mensa Heat was sent off as the second choice favourite despite the fact he was exiting a seventh place finish in the California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Park on 29 October, 2011.
He lost the race to winner Courtside, who covered the 6 furlong distance in 1 minute and 7.97 seconds as Bob Black Jack finished second and M One Rifle third.
Trainer Ted West explained that the gelding had a bout colic before the race and that is the reason for his subpar effort, and about a week before the race he was suffering from stomach ulcers.
However, Mensa Heat’s performance in the On Trust Handicap shows that the colt is fit and feeling better than ever, and the proof of that was the race itself and the four strong workouts he turned in after being treated and sent to his trainer in November.
“He tipped his hand in the paddock today and his attitude was really good," West said afterward. "We have a lot of options with him because he likes turf, dirt and synthetic.’’
Back in September, Mensa Heat won the Pirate’s Bounty Stakes on synthetic surface at about 6 furlongs and then he lost by a length to winner Amazombie in the Grade 1 Ancient Title Stakes in third.
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