BC-breds Rule on First Friday Night

All six races fell to horses bred here in beautiful British Columbia on a Friday night that saw leading rider Amadeo Perez sparkle with a double under the lights

Mike Heads

and

Nigel Reid

Jun 21, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

Amadeo Perez had riding a double
ALL SIX races were won by horses bred here in British Columbia
The Jackpot Pick 5 carryover is at $83,858
The handle was $395,117

Friday Night Round-Up by Mike Heads

Race 1.

FLYING MISS (CHris Mamdeen) — photo Michael Bye

The first race on the Friday night program went to Rob and Sheena Maybin's FLYING MISS ($10.60) who was wrestled back to the rear of the field early by Chris Mamdeen, then started to make ground on the inside approaching the far turn, found a seam turning for the payoff and sprinted clear for the win in 1:18.28 for trainer Rob Maybin. Stewart Spencer, Sean Ederer and Giuseppe Zepedeo’s LICORICE was held in behind a very slow pace by Antonio Reyes and, when called upon on the final bend, was spinning her wheels and finally got going when shifted down the rail in the stretch, closing to be second for trainer Keith Pedersen. G.O. Stable's TEXAS HUMOR raced close to the comfortable early tempo (23.62, 47.22), took the lead midway on the turn but couldn’t hold off the top two and checked in a much-improved third under Bebeto Harvey for trainer Erick Gutierrez.

Race 2.

GROOVIN IS BAK (Richard Balgobin) — photo Patti Tubbs

The second of the evening was won by G.O. Stables GROOVIN’ IS BAK ($9.60), who was able to set extremely slow fractions under Richard Balgobin (24.68, 49.52) and turned the race into an eighth-of-a-mile sprint, winning in 1:19.73 for conditioner Erick Gutierrez. Hammer Racing Stables FOOT SOLDIER was tucked just in behind the pedestrian pace with Antonio Reyes at the controls before shaking loose late and just missing finishing second for trainer Steve Henson. Joe and Gloria Russo's DEPUTY'S DANCER was involved in the pace battle under Kerron Khelawan and the favourite seemed to be traveling well, but couldn't sprint with the top two, ending up third for Patty Leaney.

Race 3.

LOLA M (Learie Seecharan) — photo Michael Bye

The third race saw Nite and Day Stable, Joanne Todd and Steve and Diane Comparelli's LOLA M ($6.60) take them all the way on the head-end under Learie Seecharan, getting sensible early splits (22.94, 47.01) and gamely battling to the wire, winning in 1:17.83 for trainer Brian O'Connell. Praven Sorensen and Mort Hall's DREAMB settled at the rear of the field early, then made an early run on the backside to engage for the lead and just missed in a good effort under Amadeo Perez for trainer Barbara Heads. Kevin Scott's MERRY BLUE broke alertly under Chris Mamdeen and settled just off the heels of the leaders and ran-on nicely for her first start of the year to be third for trainer Kevin Scott .

Race 4.

NU BLEND (Amadeo Perez) — photo Michael Bye

The fourth race of the night went to Canmor Farms, Maureen Goss and Adrian Trombley’s NU BLEND ($2.50), who secured the rail and the lead (24.21, 49.50, 1:15.22) in her first attempt at a mile-and-sixteenth under Amadeo Perez. They stayed-on determinedly to win in 1:47.69 for trainer Mark Cloutier. Forster Stable's ON MY GOOD SIDE was sharp early and held a good spot, tracking the leader under Antonio Reyes and chasing the winner to the wire, ending up a clear second for trainer Charlene Miller. Frank Barroby's NOZOMI spent much of the trip on the outside under Richard Balgobin and they remained a strong threat heading to the far turn but gave a little ground late, ending up a solid third in her first try going long for trainer Frank Barroby.

Race 5.

SNAP TO IT (Amadeo Perez, #2) finishes second to stablemate TOUCH THE SUN (Bebeto Harvey, #4) but is awarded the race by the stewards — photo Patti Tubbs

The fifth race of the day went to Lois Bennett's SNAP TO IT ($4.10) who was shuffled back early under Amadeo Perez, then moved up on the outside to rally for the lead nearing the far turn and just missed but was promoted to first after the disqualification of his stablemate TOUCH THE SUN, who originally hit the line first in 1:44.79. Pauline Felicella's EVANDERKEEN was held far back off the early fractions by Antonio Reyes and came flying late on the inside, but didn't have any room late, finishing third and moved up to second after the disqualification for trainer Terry Jordan. Mark Cloutier, Mark Freeman, Esco Racing, Breen Racing and B and B Racing's DEAL EM set the early tempo under Kimal Santo, started to give ground entering the stretch and ended up fourth. However, the stewards ruled TOUCH THE SUN impeded him and he was moved up to third for trainer Mark Cloutier.

Race 6.

BOBBY ROCKS (Bebeto Harvey) — photo Patti Tubbs

The sixth race of the day saw Darryl Hammond, Jim Jamieson, Yerxa Racing, Bill Dobbie and Tammy Snow's BOBBY ROCK ($6.80) take a successful drop in class to easily get the money under Bebeto Harvey. They tracked a quick tempo (22.32, 46.09), then drew clear easily to break his maiden in 1:17.75 for trainer Tammy Snow. Bruce Unwin’s JUSTCALLMEJAMES was off slow in his career debut under Chris Mamdeen, but rallied impressively from far back to get the runner-up spot in a very good debut for Bruce Unwin. Larry and Margaret Getson and Frank Barroby’s MAX BOOSTER took his usual spot just in behind the speed with Richard Balgobin up and they just missed second at the finish, ending up a third for Frank Barroby.