Ceaser Slakes Lawson's Thirst
Shawn Lawson saddled NINE OCLOCK CEASER to land his first training win since renewing his trainer's license, as leading rider Amadeo Perez bags another brace
HIGHLIGHTS
Makayla Edwards, daughter of CTHS interim President Dairen Edwards (Willow Creek Farms), earned her first ever victory as an assistant trainer.
Amadeo Perez had a riding double.
The handle was $367,095.
Five of the day’s seven winners were bred in B.C.
Sunshine and warm temperatures returned to the East Van oval on Sunday, with racegoers thankful for a cooling breeze. The track recovered quickly from Saturday’s downpour and was fast all afternoon
Race 1.
The opener went to Gary Johnson, Pumpkin and Sharlea Stable's TAPITS CHOICE ($15.60), who was well rationed early by Fraser Aebly, then cruised up the rail on the final turn and just got up late to win in 1:18.17 for veteran conditioner Frank Barroby. Stuart Carmichael and Mark Freeman’s WICKED NIGHT was on the pace throughout, battling through contested splits of 22.34 and 46.10 and stayed determinedly to the wire and just missed, ending up in the runner-up spot. Swift Thoroughbreds’ LICORICE was the lone filly in the lineup and was also part of the contested pace. She and had a good shot turning for home and checked in a close third.
Race 2.
The second on the card saw a big performance from Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ MISS THE HYPE ($3.60), who led from the start through easy fractions of 25.05, 48.78 and 1:13.36 before sprinting away under Amadeo Perez to win in 1:45.56 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. The G.O. Stables TEXAS HUMOR was given a text book ride by Jose Sanchez, sitting off of the flank of the winner, but was simply second-best today. Willow Creek Farms’ PERFECT PENNY sat close to the slow pace and ran on to be third.
Claims:
MISS THE HYPE was claimed by owners Rob & Sheena Maybin for trainer Rob Maybin
Race 3.
The third was a wire-to-wire masterpiece by rider Chris Mamdeen aboard Rob and Sheena Maybin's AVE'S IN COMMAND ($9.40), who held a clear lead through splits of 24.18, 47.37 and a quick 1:11.76, and he had plenty left in reserve to win in 1:45.32. WYN Racing Stables’ GORKY PARK was wide through much of the trip and kept battling on. He was promoted from third to second after the disqualification of PADDY D'ORO. Rob and Sheena Maybin's MCMURPHY was away a heartbeat slow and rushed into contention early but tired late and was moved up to third from fourth. PADDY D'ORO was disqualified for interferring with VANCOUVER'S HUNTER on the first turn.
Race 4.
The fourth race was won by Don Musgrove, Stewart Spencer and Lyle Johnson's PINEAPPLE TIDBITS ($4.60), who was closer to the pace than usual and used the rail to her advantage to win in 1:18.37 under Silvino Morales for trainer Keith Pedersen. Side Pot Stables’ WALKINTHEWALK scooted up the inside to claim the second spot in deep stretch under Kerron Khelawan. The Willow Creek Farms BAKFIRE BABY was racing a hot pace (22.26, 45.89) between runners and stayed game through the stretch to hold third money.
Claims:
ARIKARA was claimed by owners Rob & Sheena Maybin for trainer Rob Maybin
PINEAPPLE TIDBITS was claimed by owner Roger Snow for trainer Mel Snow
Race 5.
The fifth saw a magnificent debut from Willow Creek Farms’ NINE OCLOCK CEASAR ($9.20), who was off a step slow but rushed up to gain the lead heading into the first turn, and set fractions of 22.95 then a comfy half-mile in 47.14 and proceeded to draw clear on the final bend to win under Jose Gomez in 1:18.47. The win was trainer Shawn Lawson’s first winner since renewing his license and was also his assistant Makayla Edwards first ever victory. Darryl Hammond, Kristy Hammond, Bill Dobie and John Snow's TEXAS LEGACY was content to let the speed go, settled in midpack and put in a nice late run to be second under apprentice Fraser Aebly. James Calihoo's LENT ME TWENTY was away sharply and was settled in a good spot but had some traffic issues on the stretch turn and still managed to come up the inside to get third.
Claims:
LENT ME TWENTY was claimed by owner Dreamline Stable for trainer Greg Beneen
Race 6.
The sixth race went to Lorie Henson and Helen Klimes’ QUEEN OF ATTITUDE ($3.60), who was given another perfect ride by Amadeo Perez after her usual tardy beginning, the pair sneaking through on the inside to split horses late and barely win in 1:17.63. The Hastings Horsepower and Minnaloushe Stables’ LASTING LIGHT was sharp early under Learie Seecharan and got the lead, then carefully rated through easy early fractions of 23.25 and 47.13, was just reeled in late and had to settle for a tough-luck second. The WYN Racing Stables ICE BREAKER showed more interest early, sitting on the slow pace and finshed very well to be third - especially considering she is much better going longer distances.
Race 7.
The seventh went to Willow Lake Farms and Stables’ ROLLIE’S SPIRIT ($7.20), who broke on top under Brian Boodramsingh, was sent to rail and had the lead through very moderate fractions of 23.00 and 47.16. He then started to inch away on the turn and drew clear late to win easily in 1:19.67 for trainer John Snow. The Shamrock Racing Stables SILARONE was not helped by the slow pace scenario and did well to rally from last to get the runner-up spot. Charlene Miller's ATOMIC HAZE ran a much improved race, coming from off the pace to be a good third.
Counterforce Moves to Stride Away Thoroughbreds
COUNTERFORCE, leading freshman stallion in British Columbia last season and sire of both Saturday’s Stakes’ winners at Hastings, is on the move.
The son of Smart Strike, who has stood at Jack Bennett’s Road’s End Farm near Abbotsford since he was brought to B.C. by Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) director Paul Caravetta, is set to begin covering duties at Steen and Cathy Reggelsen’s Stride Away Thoroughbreds near Armstrong, B.C., from 2024.
The Reggelsens, who previously stood successful sire VALUE PLUS, are delighted to welcome COUNTERFORCE, who is currently the leading second-season stallion in all of Canada.
Cathy Reggelsen said: “He’s a lovely horse, with a magnificent pedigree. He came out firing as a freshman last year and that’s certainly continued this season.”
“He’s producing athletic-looking horses with good temperaments and we can’t wait to show him off to potential breeders. We’re very excited to have him here and hope to continue the great start made with him by Jack Bennett.”
The move, according to Caravatta, is solely due to Jack Bennett’s impending retirement later this year.
“I’m so grateful to Jack,” Caravetta explained. “He’s such a knowledgeable man and he is totally responsible for the horse’s success. I’m delighted he’s going to Steen and Cathy, but he wouldn’t be moving anywhere if Jack hadn’t been retiring later this year.”
COUNTERFORCE enjoyed a bonanza weekend, siring Ross McLeod Stakes winner LUCKY FORCE and River Rock Casino Stakes winner AIR FORCE. The young stallion’s already impressive pedigree page was also given another huge boost in the shape of Saturday’s Belmont Stakes’ winner, ARCANGELO (Arrogate). The winner of the third jewel in the Triple Crown is out of MODELING (Tapit), a half-sister to Counterforce’s dam, ACHIEVING (Bernardini).
A fee for COUNTERFORCE’s 2024 season will be confirmed at a later date.
N. Reid
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Monday, June 12
Racing resumes at Hastings next Saturday, June 17th at 2:00 p.m.
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