At Attention in Governors' Salute
Two come-from-behind Stakes winners headlined a magnificent Canada Day at Hastings, where glorious weather brought out a bumper-sized crowd and a betting 'handle' to match!
HIGHLIGHTS
Antonio Reyes and Kerron Khelawan had riding doubles
The Pick 4 was an impressive $2,863 for a wager 20 cent wager
The Pick 5 paid a huge $7,126
The Canada Day Handle was a whopping $942,956
Five of the day’s winners, including BOTH Stakes events, were won by horses bred here in British Columbia
Warm sunshine, clear skies and a ‘holiday vibe’ produced close to perfect conditions for the bumper-sized crowd to celebrate Canada Day. The track was fast and fair, with both Stakes winners coming from off the pace, while the first four heats went to horses on the ‘front end’
Race 1.
The holiday Monday program started off with Canyon Farm's MR MORRIS ($3.60) leading his three-year-old rivals on a merry chase as he showed good speed, securing the rail through splits of 22.01 and 46.06, then drawing off to an impressive score in 1:16.54 under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Craig MacPherson. Swift Thoroughbreds PISCO was away in good order under Silvino Morales and chose to relax in behind the speed, holding his position throughout and finishing a clear second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Willow Creek Farm's WHEN IN MEXICO sat a good trip with Scott Williams close to the pace but couldn’t stay with the top two and ended up a good third.
Race 2.
The second of the day went to Mount View Stables’ JOSE JOSE ($4.40), who was able to grab the lead by Kerron Khelawan without asking him for top speed as they angled through fractions of 22.63 and 45.89, then sprinted away to open up an insurmountable lead and was eased up to win in 1:16.51 for trainer Rob Gilker. J G Williamson Racing’s TIME TICKER was sharp early, but was relaxed to be far back, then put in a big run late to be a fast-closing runner-up for conditioner Steve Henson. Rob and Sheena Maybin's BAK TO LIBERTY had a shoe repair in the paddock prior to the race and, considering that setback, he ran very well to be third under Amadeo Perez for trainer Rob Maybin.
Race 3.
The third race of the afternoon was won by Willow Creek Farm's NINE OCLOCK CEASAR ($3.90) who, as expected, cleared early to get the lead and the rail under Antonio Reyes, cruising through fractions 21.90 and 45.36, and had plenty left to keep a winning margin at the wire in 1:16.66 for conditioner Steve Henson. Rob and Sheena Maybin's JERSEY LILLIE was tucked in behind the leader by Chris Mamdeen and came out to challenge turning for home and just held second for trainer Rob Maybin. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds MISS THE HYPE didn’t have the same early speed as the top two and was settled by Amadeo Perez before running up the inside to just miss second and ending up a good third.
Race 4.
The fourth race saw Gord Christoff and Trails End Stable's ARISTOCRACY ($5.90) turn in a huge effort, racing three-wide through most of the trip under Amadeo Perez, and still managed to grind out the victory for trainer Rob Anderson in 1:45.36. Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's SLOOP JOHN B was up on a sensible pace (23.62, 47.63 and 1:12.36) under Learie Seecharan and they raced gamely to the line and just missed ending up a good second for trainer Dave Milburn. Hastings Racing Club's PRINCE CAIRO was in a good striking position under Bebeto Harvey and ran-on late to be third for trainer John Snow.
Race 5 — The $50,000 Monashee Handicap
The fifth race was the $50,000 Monashee Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth and proving best in a huge upset was Renfrew Racing, B and B Racing, No Trump Stable, Matt Elder and Bill Breen's MATSQUI ($35.10), who took full advantage of a suicidal pace up front and got-up late to hit the wire first under Brian Boodramsingh for trainer Mark Freeman. Bill DeCoursey and RNH Stables’ INFINITE PATIENCE ran an improved race, sitting close to the quick fractions, took the lead to the stretch, but was reeled in late under Antonio Reyes for trainer Mark Freeman. Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's AIR FORCE got caught up in a speed duel (22.98, 45.90 and 1:10.89) under Kimal Santo and ended up a game third for Keith Pedersen.
Race 6 — The $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap
The sixth race on the Canada day program was the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors for three-year-olds and up at a mile-and-a-sixteenth and taking home top honours was Bryan and Carol Anderson's AT ATTENTION ($12.50), who was last early, then made a bold four-wide run under Antonio Reyes to get up in the closing strides for the victory in 1:43.16 for trainer Barbara Heads. Pauline Felicella's SUNBIRD was also well back off of the early fractions with Amadeo Perez at the controls. They looped the field on the stretch turn and made the lead but were caught late and ended up a solid second for trainer Terry Jordan. Roger Snow, Don Danard and Conrad Rozenek's SPACE was away in good order under Brian Boodramsingh, assumed a perfect spot behind a contested pace (23.60, 46.71, 1:11.46) and stayed on best of the horses that were close to the pace to be third for trainer Mel Snow.
Race 7.
The seventh race saw Stewart Spencer's KNOPFLER ($20.30) scoot up the inside under Silvino Morales to get the victory after tracking the speed and hitting the line in a swift 1:17.07 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Michelle Roberts-Henson and Mark McGinnis RACING RIVER was determined to fight for the lead from the gate and led through quick splits of 22.11 and 45.51, staying-on gamely under Ridge Balgobin to be a hard-fought runner-up for conditioner Rob Henson. T C Racing's STANFORD BAY ran a huge race, battling three-wide on that fast pace and just missed second in a photo, ending up an unlucky third for trainer Rob Gilker.
Bloodhorse Headlines — Tuesday July 2
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