HOLLYWOOD PARK : Hess Has a Couple of Big Horses Now

Considering how things have gone for Bob Hess Jr. during the first seven days of the Hollywood Park meeting, it is easy to see why the trainer enjoys racing at the track.

Although other trainers would disagree, Hess likes the local main track. And so do his horses. The barn already has five victories, including a second consecutive stakes victory by Slerp in last Saturday’s Harry Henson. “We ran quite a few horses at Santa Anita, but we didn’t overrace a lot of them,” said Hess, the leading trainer at Del Mar in 1991. “I like racing over this strip. It’s very safe.”

Slerp’s come-from-behind victory in the Henson was Hess’ most lucrative of the meeting, but J.F. Williams’ victory in Sunday’s sixth race was the most impressive.

Making his first start, the massive 3-year-old (he measures 17 hands) was a little slow to get going, made a big move along the inside--which has been the worst part of the track--to take the lead, then kept extending his margin under Kent Desormeaux.

J.F. Williams won by nine lengths and completed the six furlongs in 1:09 4/5. He is from the first crop of Broad Brush, the 1987 Santa Anita Handicap winner, out of the mare Star Gem. Star Gem also produced Star Of Cozzene, a multiple-stakes winner on turf and the third-place finisher in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“He’s a super, super, super good horse,” Hess said. ‘He’s like a limousine: long, tall and with great acceleration. Back in December, when I nominated him, I thought he would win the Santa Anita Derby.”

This was before the $29,000 purchase was discovered to have a breathing problem. Dr. Greg Ferraro performed an operation, but there are no guarantees there won’t be a recurrence of the problem.

“I’ve said to some people in the racing office that this used to be the best horse I’ve ever trained,” said Hess, who is admittedly something of a pessimist. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed. He’ll be fine as long as he receives the majority of his air.”

J.F. Williams, named for the grandson of one of the colt’s owners, will be given at least three weeks before he starts again. He may make his next appearance in a distance race. “I think the farther he goes, the better he’ll be,” Hess said. “The more comfortable he can run, the less stressful it will be. If he can just lope along early, it should be easier for him to get air.”

Claimed by Hess for $40,000 in January, Slerp has won three of five for his new owners. Although he won’t be in the concluding leg of the Triple Crown, the son of Slewpy probably will be in action on Belmont Stakes Day. Plans call for him to run in the seven-furlong Riva Ridge Stakes on June 6.