Big Race Double for Heads
Hastings' handler strikes twice at Century Mile on Canadian Derby day as Infinite Patience and At Attention star. Regal Riot, meanwhile, takes third in the Derby and U Did It is runner-up in the Oaks
The Barbara Heads-trained INFINITE PATIENCE (Sungold) put in yet another stellar performance to win a second consecutive Northlands Distaff, romping to a seven-length win and setting a new Century Mile course record in the process. Jumped out nimbly by Antonio Reyes, it appeared for a moment that the Queen of Hastings may become involved in a front-end duel with longshot Sheltered Bay. But, alert as always, Reyes managed to settle his mount just behind the blazing no-hoper before, unable to contain her superiority any longer, the mare simply galloped away from her field. The race was over as contest before they reached the top of the stretch. Owned by William DeCoursey and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and bred in BC by DeCoursey, Infinite Patience is by the Flying Horse Farm stallion SUNGOLD (A. P. Indy) and is another graduate of the CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale.
AT ATTENTION (Shanghai Bobby) used his long stride to perfection in the $100,000 Century Mile Handicap Stakes, brought with a powerful run down the centre of the course under a perfectly-timed ride by Antonio Reyes to snatch victory by a neck over fellow Hastings’ raiders Chase The Sun and Uncharacteristic (both of whom are trained by Rob VanOverschot). At Attention, who completed a big-race double for the Barbara Heads team, was bred in BC by his owners Bryan and Carol Anderson and is by Shanghai Bobby out of a Quality Road half-sister to a Stakes winner. At Attention was a CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale graduate and his Palace Malice half-sister is catalogued in this year’s auction (Hip #11).
Hastings Race Previews, Tuesday August 23
An interesting opener with front-runners Flyunderthegraydar and Jersey Lillie likely to ensure a solid pace. Either is capable of winning but, if they become involved in a duel, that might suit VANCOUVER’S HUNTER, who drops down into the lower end of claiming affairs after plying his trade much further up the ladder. Stablemate Value Max will be a popular choice after outpointing Harvest Day and Barney Google last time and he chases his third win this season.
Knopfler got stranded behind a slow pace last time and as long as they go a little faster today, he should be closer. VON DOM usually races prominently and he could well enjoy an easy lead if his rivals aren’t paying attention, while Timeless Shrug, Paddy D’Oro and Debatable have all won twice previously over this distance. Preference goes to Paddy d’Oro after his solid third to Appellant last time, although Debatable’s third to Von Dom two starts ago puts him in the mix.
It’s been well over a year and nine starts since PORTER GENT finished out of the first two and his top-class victory against subsequent Century Mile winner At Attention last time, with Stay Fantastic and Fort Langley out of the frame, should make him a warm favourite here. This is no ‘gimme,’ however. He takes on some of the best horses currently stationed in East Vancouver and will need his best stuff. Bold Arch returns to the 8½ furlongs after missing out by just a nose earlier this month, with today’s rival Synergy behind in third. The latter was making his return to action after a year out and is entitled to be closer again today.
PAGODA RIDGE drops in class here and should be a warm favourite to land this after swimming in deeper waters all season. Given an easy time by Antonio Reyes when her chance went last time, she is better judged on her second-place finish to Always in Charge the race before and any repetition close to that makes her the one to beat. Cattitude ran well when a closing second to Remarkable Lady last time (with Harbour Storm third), although that was over 8½ furlongs. Trainer Steve Henson saddles two and while Perfect Penny and Best One Yet are both tough to weigh up, they remain unexposed and could pose a threat.
The consistent Atomic Haze has hit the board every time he’s run this term although, perhaps crucially, he has yet to win. He’ll be a popular choice here and deservedly so. MONTE finally got his maiden won last time and wouldn’t need to progress too much more to play a leading role at this level, while Barney Google is another who wouldn’t be winning out of turn after several solid efforts so far this season. A repetition of Bettin’ Man’s win back in May brings him into the picture, although it’s fair to say he’s been a little inconsistent.
Jockey Efrain Hernandez has formed quite the partnership with veteran Bluegrass Angus, winning five times, and the duo will be a warm order to notch again here after obliging in typical gate-to-wire style last time. Ring of Kerry and Khaiky’s Command have both won off the front end, however, and could make things a little more complicated for the likely favourite. Laugh With Me has also made the running but seems equally happy sat off the pace and, following a nice win last time, could be the one to benefit most if the leaders go too fast. Veteran SANAWAR represents the in-form Heads/Reyes team and the closer might also appreciate the way the race unfolds.
A tricky maiden to close out the afternoon, with several of these in with a solid chance of gaining a first career win. Keepingthedream has finished second in his previous two starts, with Carolina Gent behind him on both occasions, and he will be a popular choice to finally break his maiden at the 16th attempt. CASSIDY COWBOY is making just his fourth career start and his first for new connections since being claimed when dropped in class last time, while the unexposed duo Just Freddy and Beckas Boy wouldn’t need to improve much on previous efforts to play a central role. Easters Memory appeals most of the others.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar Picks, Tuesday August 23rd
Canadian Derby
GREAT ESCAPE (Midnight Storm) gave jockey Rico Walcott a remarkable fifth Canadian Derby (G3) victory and sealed the big race exacta for trainer Robertino Diodoro who also saddled the runner-up, Red Knobs. Hastings’ runners were in the mix again in the big one with the Rob Anderson-trained REGAL RIOT (Jersey Town) staying on resolutely to finish third for owners Kim Peacock and Lance Giesbrecht, a half-length off the runner-up spot. Great Escape is from the first crop of Taylor Made stallion and multiple Graded Stakes winner MIDNIGHT STORM (Pioneer of the Nile) out of the winning Bertrando mare, My Tina.
Century Mile Oaks
The Edgar Mendoza-trained U DID IT (Teide) showed real courage under the urging of Antonio Reyes and went down all guns blazing in the Century Casino Oaks, failing by a rapidly-diminishing neck to haul in Rafael Zenteno Jr. and TONE IT UP (Tonalist), with the pair eight-lengths clear of the third. John Anderson’s U Did It, who won the Supernaturel Stakes at Hastings in July, was bred by Christine Ammann and was a graduate of the CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale.
Note:
Racing resumes at Hastings on MONDAY August 22 with CTHS Sales Stakes Day, featuring FOUR $50k stakes contests. First race off 2pm. Click the blue button for all the runners, riders and race previews.