$100k on the line in 'Diamond' double
Mount Asgard favourite to land boys' version while U Did It heads the fillies' market in the first Stakes contests of the new Hastings' season
Sunday’s Runners and Riders
BILLS SMOKN BULLET finished a solid third to Bluegrass Angus on opening day and he will be expected to get favourite backers off to a winning start here. Khaiky’s Command enjoyed an excellent second half to the season and has been going well in the morning. Von Dom’s debut win at Hastings came just a week ago and this represents a quick turnaround for the compact 4yo. Ring of Kerry ended last season with three quick-fire victories in August but has been out of action since, while the veteran Aditya has no idea how to run a bad race and is a firm favourite among fans of hard-knocking claimers.
His final outing notwithstanding, JACOBS CALL held his own at Woodbine last season in what was generally better company than he finds here. He’s also done everything asked of him in his morning works. Flyunderthegraydar made a winning debut on opening day and appeared to have a little in hand at the finish. Knopfler, meanwhile, is another Woodbine import although his Hastings debut, a respectable fourth-place finish behind Lucky Luke, came just seven days ago.
A challenging puzzle, with all five runners perfectly capable of landing the spoils on their day. Mi Reyna enjoyed a narrow winning debut on opening weekend, while the well-related Definite Pleasure and REA MEA have both been showing up well in the mornings. Floral won twice last term in arguably more challenging company than this, while Bakzone notched three wins, a second and two third-place finishes from her six starts in 2021 and cannot be ignored.
KANDY KATIE had her rivals covered pretty much all the way in her opening day triumph and, with Jersey Lillie, Ostracize and Hollywood Mistress all behind her a fortnight ago, she can prevail again. Queen of Attitude, meanwhile, had Kandy Katie behind her twice last term, over both the ‘short’ and ‘long’ distances and has not failed to hit the board in eight career runs. She was also sharp enough to win on her debut last term and should be straight enough to take a hand in the finish.
Six go to post for this $50k contest, with Horse of the Year nominee Mount Asgard certain to be a warm order. Two wins and a gallant third at Century Mile, in what were atrocious conditions for the CTHS Sales Stakes last October, marked him as an exciting prospect. These are an unexposed bunch, however, and there was much to like about opening weekend winner REGAL RIOT, who impressed many with his seven-length maiden romp. The son of Jersey Town could not have been more impressive, despite the three late gate scratches and is worth sticking with. Soaringforthesun has been working well and appeals for the minor placings.
The $50k Sadie Diamond appears at the mercy of the unbeaten former CTHS Sales Stakes winner, U DID IT, who had Shamra and Marys Tappin Shoes behind her twice last season. Amanda couldn’t get in a blow behind Oneofthemgirls in the Alberta editon of the CTHS Sales Stakes last fall, but is clearly a progressive sort, while Cattitude has the benefit of a previous run. The least experienced runner Rose of Texas, meanwhile, broke her maiden at the second time of asking and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Runner-up on both his starts last term, CHASE THE SUN has been working well and looks a worthy morning line favourite here. A repeat of his debut, when he chased home Smart Lad (who subsequently scored twice more), would normally be enough to get the job done. Greytogo made a creditable seasonal debut when third to Regal Riot, while Don W and All Liquord Up have also been going well in the mornings. Solander, meanwhile, makes some appeal on pedigree although, with a conservative work tab and just the one run over 3 1/2-furlongs to go on, his talent will have to be taken on trust.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks - Sunday
Ontario-bred lands Black Eyed Susan
For anyone who missed it, here’s yesterday’s Black Eyed Susan Stakes, won by Ontario-bred INTERSTATEDAYDREAM. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, the Classic Empire filly is out an unraced half-sister to former Canada Horse of the Year, Uncaptured. She was a graduate of the Ocala Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, where she was knocked down to her current owners for $175,000.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks - Saturday
