by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — Ken Jacobs had no idea when he exclaimed “he’s gorgeous” while looking at a yearling during the 2008 Standardbred Horse Sale, he was also calling out the colt’s name. Once he found out, and bought the horse, he decided there was no reason to change it.

Jacobs, who frequently renames horses in honor of family members, most notably grandchildren, has watched He’s Gorgeous put together a beautiful career. He’s Gorgeous has won 17 of 25 career races, including two New York Sire Stakes championships, and earned $637,101. He is trained by Linda Toscano.

On Saturday, He’s Gorgeous will face the two top 3-year-old male pacers in the nation — Rock N Roll Heaven and One More Laugh — in the $437,100 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers Raceway. He’s Gorgeous and driver George Brennan will start from post three in the five-horse field. Tobago Cays and Urgent Action will start to his inside, Rock N Roll Heaven and One More Laugh to his outside. The Messenger is the third jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown. One More Laugh won the first leg, the Cane Pace, and Rock N Roll Heaven won the second, the Little Brown Jug.

Mike Lizzi photo

He’s Gorgeous hopes to continue his half-mile track success in Saturday’s $437,100 Messenger Stakes.

“We kind of like He’s Gorgeous (as a name) because he really was,” said Jacobs, who bought the son of Art Major-So Ravishing for $97,000. “That suited him just perfect. When I first saw him, I said ‘he’s gorgeous’ and the girl (Casey Meirs) taking care of him told me that was his name. She helped the horse grow up and she really was in love with the horse. She asked me if I was going to change his name and I said no. I wouldn’t have dared changed the name.”

It will be a tough task facing Rock N Roll Heaven and One More Laugh on Saturday, but He’s Gorgeous is on his preferred sized oval (half- mile) and at a place where he has been successful (Yonkers). He’s Gorgeous has won 12 of 14 career starts on half-mile tracks and has won six of seven lifetime races at Yonkers. His only setback at Yonkers came on June 12 in the Art Rooney Pace, when he lost by a neck to One More Laugh.

“We have to hope the race goes our way,” Jacobs said. “I don’t think I can beat Rock N Roll Heaven, but we’re going to give it a try. If they fight it out on the lead, and I’m sitting right behind them, I could be dangerous.”

Jacobs’ favorite race this season came when He’s Gorgeous won the sire stakes title at Yonkers. The colt was parked during the opening quarter-mile before getting the lead, then was passed by Jimmie Hanover approaching the final turn, but battled back in the stretch to win by a neck.

“He never quits,” Jacobs said. “That’s his big quality. Hopefully, that will help him in this race.”

This will be the final start of 2010 for He’s Gorgeous, who should return to action next year, possibly in the George Morton Levy Pacing Series at Yonkers.

“He’s a fairly big horse, but he goes as fast in the turns as he does on the straightaways,” Jacobs said. “That’s a big quality going on a half (mile track). I think the fact he’s been so consistent throughout all his races has been a great quality, too.”