TDN APBs: Mean Season

“TDN Rising Star” Mean Season (Henny Hughes)–vanned off with a stress fracture to his front left foreleg after running his record to a flawless three-for-three at Aqueduct Mar. 1–is on the comeback trail. 

“Mean Season is at Fair Hill with Bruce Jackson rehabbing,” co-owner Jake Ballis offered. “He should be back around the first of the year if all goes well.” 

A runaway debut winner for Ginger Punch Racing and trainer Jose Corrales going a mile at Laurel last September, Ballis and his longtime friend and NBA power forward Rashard Lewis acquired Mean Season for $150,000 two months later from the Adena Springs draft at the Keeneland November sale. Transferred to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the chestnut posted a pair of jaw-dropping performances against optional claimers going six furlongs over the Big A inner this winter, winning by an effortless combined margin of 15 1/2 lengths. The 4-year-old earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 107 last time out. 

“I think he is one of the more talented sprinters in the country and it is unfortunate he had a setback,” Ballis concluded. “He hasn’t been tested and everything he has done has been 100% on his own with no asking. There is no ceiling how good this horse can be once he gets back with Bill Mott.” -Steve Sherack