Hesatrooper, a decisive winner on debut for trainer John Ross, will move quickly into deeper company when he lines up among seven 2-year-olds in Sunday’s $125,000 Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.
Woodbine Victoria Stakes.
The 5 ½-furlong main track contest gives Hesatrooper an early chance to show whether the speed and professionalism he displayed on June 21 can carry forward against a stronger group. Owned by JC Stable and Duane Passero, the son of Army Mule out of the unraced Stormy Atlantic mare Obaasan comes into the race with both promise and momentum.
His first start, over 4 ½ furlongs on the Woodbine main track, could hardly have gone much better. Hesatrooper broke alertly, found his rhythm early, and showed the way before opening up strongly in the stretch. By the wire, he was 5 ¼ lengths clear, completing the distance in :52.56.
For Ross, a winner of 629 races and 39 stakes across his career, the performance brought satisfaction as well as relief. Hesatrooper had been entered in a maiden claiming race and remained with the barn after his debut win.
“I liked him a lot,” said Ross. “I lived on the edge a little bit if someone had taken him. Usually, people watch the first time, and fortunately, it worked out for us.
“He got some confidence out of this race, he learned something and it was all a good thing.”
That confidence could prove important in the Woodbine Victoria Stakes, where young horses are often asked to absorb new pressure and respond with maturity beyond their limited experience. Hesatrooper showed signs of that maturity first time out, even if there were still flashes of greenness.
Ross was particularly taken by the gelding’s attitude once he was challenged.
“He started off a little green, looking around, which Pietro mentioned,” said Ross, referring to jockey Pietro Moran. “He took a hold of him just to keep his mind on business, but when a horse came close to him turning for home, he took off.
“The way he took off, particularly from the eighth-pole and how he galloped out, I was impressed by that. He got a 75 speed figure, which was nice.”
For any 2-year-old, the small details can matter as much as the final margin. Hesatrooper handled the gate, travelled kindly enough for a first-time starter, and finished with purpose. Ross saw in that effort the benefit of the groundwork done at home.
“When you see them finish like that and gallop out like that, it’s a great sign,” he said. “He was good in the gate, too. We did a lot of work in the gate with him and he broke very well. When you see young horses do that like an old pro, it makes you feel like you’ve done your homework.”
The weeks since that debut have only strengthened the trainer’s impression that Hesatrooper is moving the right way.
“He came back from the race in excellent order,” said Ross. “He’s a bit of a tough little guy. I just learned that this horse is maturing all the time and getting better. He’s still growing, too.”
Hesatrooper was purchased for $15,000 at the 2025 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale. Ross credited Hill ‘n’ Dale and Glenn Sikura for producing the type of young horse that can develop quickly once placed into training.
“Hill ‘n’ Dale always breeds some nice horses, and they do a great job,” said Ross. “Glenn Sikura and Hill ‘n’ Dale produce some nice horses that go through the sale, and this is another good one we picked out from them. I appreciate how they go about their breeding and I have had plenty of good luck with their horses.”
Earl “Shorty” Marriott is the groom.
Hesatrooper has also had a useful piece of work since his debut. On July 2, he covered 5 furlongs in 1:02.60 over the Woodbine dirt track, with Moran aboard, as part of his preparation for the Victoria.
“I had Pietro work him,” said Ross. “He worked with another 2-year-old, a filly. Pietro was really happy with him. It was a hot day. My instructions that day were to go 1:02 and change. On a hot day, pushing them too hard is counterproductive. I thought an in-between five-eighths would be perfect for him. Pietro was happy with it and I was, too. He galloped out nicely.
“The thing I liked about the work was that it was just like his race. When he was done, he just kept going. You love seeing things like that in young horses.”
The Woodbine Victoria Stakes now presents the next question. Hesatrooper has already shown early pace, a willing finish, and the ability to learn from his work. Sunday’s race will reveal how much progress he has made, and whether his debut was the beginning of a more serious juvenile campaign.
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