Double Tuff double impressive in William Henry Harrison Stakes

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2020) – Double Tuff lived up to his reputation Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the 17th running of the $75,000 William Henry Harrison Stakes at Indiana Grand. Ridden by Jesus Castanon, the seven-year-old son of Skylord made his first start back in 10 months and made it an impressive effort. The race was the first start for his new connections, who claimed him out of his last start last fall.

“After we claimed him, we discovered he had an issue, so it has taken that long to get him right,” said Trainer Kim Hammond. “It’s been a little bit of a slow go, but as of late, he has really come on in his training and works.”

Claimed for $25,000 at Indiana Grand by Jerry Carden and Willowbrook Stables, Double Tuff earned his purchase price back in one start in the William Henry Harrison Stakes. There was a big question mark as to whether the layoff would prevent him from returning to his previous form and defend his title in the William Henry Harrison Stakes, but those doubts were quickly sidelined.

Starting from the inside post one, Double Tuff and Jesus Castanon moved out of the gate with just enough speed to join Thatswhatithought and Fernando De La Cruz on the front end. Orient Magic and Tommy Pompell stayed in between horses to vie for the top spot early on before backing down heading into the turn. Holding their position inside, the seasoned veteran, Double Tuff, kept pace with his opponent, saving his best stride for last.

At the head of the lane, Double Tuff took over the top spot and rallied home, winning by two lengths over Thatswhatithought. Operation Stevie and Emmanuel Esquivel made a late move up to finish third. Time for the six-furlong event was 1:10.50.

“I let him (Double Tuff) break and the eight (Thatswhatithought) was a little rank in the bridle, so we stayed up with him,” said Castanon. “I knew it was only a matter of time to let him (Double Tuff) go. At the quarter, I began to move, and he was tough all the way to the wire.”

Double Tuff paid $11.20, $3.80, $3.40 across the board. The flashy grey gelding now has seven career wins, six of which have been at Indiana Grand.

“He was sharp,” noted Castanon. “Kim did a wonderful job bringing him back to the track. He was basically out there doing it all by himself today.”

Hammond is racing’s all-time leading female trainer in wins with 2,301 trips to winner’s circles across the Midwest. She has a nearby farm where she shuttles horses out for pasture time, but Indiana sired Double Tuff, bred by Gary Simms, is one that stays in her barn at Indiana Grand. She has a plan laid out for him to run again this meet.

“I plan to run him in the Brickyard Stakes,” added Hammond. “We’ll feed him hay and oats and hope we can do it again in the Brickyard.”

The Brickyard Stakes is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7. It is part of a four-stakes day featuring all Indiana breds in stakes action for the afternoon program.

Photos by Coady Photography