Unusual Heat Turf Classic
$175.000 Four Year Olds And Upward Foaled in CA
1 1/8 Miles – Turf
Santa Anita Park – January 17, 2026

In our preview we highlighted that it was an evenly matched field on paper and it was difficult to separate them. The race played out that way with none of the five entrants being completely out of it at the wire.

DH Winner: Virtual Handyman (Onlineracingclub.com/U. Rispoli) Residue/Cinema Paradiso (Con Artist) The preview pick pressed the pace from the outset and was ready when his pilot said “go”. He moved to the front and took command holding his lead until the very last jump when he was just caught for a tie on the wire. His first stakes win in a year and a half and a good beginning for his new connections. 

DH Winner: Extremely Great (The Sidley Stud/L. Dettori) Extremo/Great Prada (Good Authority) Sat comfortable off of the pace in fourth allowing the pacesetters in front of him to lead the way. Responded well when asked to make his move with three furlongs to go. Doggedly chased Virtual Handyman throughout the stretch. Did not appear as if he was going to get there but was able to grab a share of the win with a last desperate final burst at the wire. This win gives the five-year-old the first stakes win of his career.

Third: Freaky Obra Party (The Sidley Stud/V. Espinoza) Hollywood Freak/Return Of The Obra (Zakouski) Trailed the field for most of the race but made a strong move when he was called on. Threatened the leaders late and would have gotten there with just a little bit more ground. Almost gained his first stakes win in his first start for The Sidley Stud.

Fourth: Extreme Super Hero (Threshold/A. Fresu) Extremo/Burgoo (Nebula Fire) Set the pace but was pressed the entire way. Gave way when challenged but held on well through the stretch to gain the final share of the purse. 

Although Suspect The Worst gets a last place on his form line you have to recognize that he was given two pounds as a reward for winning The Schiller last Fall. Carrying two pounds more than the other four in the field was not his friend. 

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded