Classic Double for Team Heads
Peter Redekop, Barbara Heads and Amadeo Perez continued their domination of the 2024 western Canada "Classic" season by taking both the BC Derby and BC Oaks at Hastings on Saturday
HIGHLIGHTS
The handle was a bumper $1.1 Million
Trainer Steve Henson won the Jack Diamond Futurity and had a training triple
Willow Creek Farms had three visits to the winners circle
Owner Peter Redekop, Trainer Barbara Heads and rider Amadeo Perez landed both the Derby and Oaks
Antonio Reyes booted home two winners, including the Jack Diamond Futurity
The Derby, the Oaks, both Futurity races and the remaining four contests on Derby Day all went to horses bred here in British Columbia
A remarkable day of racing where the on-track excitement rendered any weather concerns totally redundant — which was just as well, with overhead conditions refusing to be pigeon-holed, bringing rain, cool winds, sunshine and humidity in equal measure. Heavy overnight and early-morning rain made for a sloppy track all afternoon.
Race 1.
The first on Derby day saw Wil-a-Way Farm, Lesley Small, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ ANSTRUTHER ($12.30) break well and set sail for the lead under Bebeto Harvey, setting slow splits (25.04, 48.38), before drawing off to a good win in 1:13.41 for trainer Pat Jarvis. Jordan Froelich's MAKENA'S JOY was off a step slow but quickly regathered himself and chased the pace, finishing second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Mel Snow, Warren Jensen Doug Corsan and Len Houweling’s MISS LARUE closed-up sharply in the three-path under Brian Boodramsingh, but the pace was too slow and the speed ran away, leaving the pair settling for third.
Race 2 — The Wally Leong Memorial Purse
The second the afternoon went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ ASKMENOQUESTIONS ($4.30) who secured the rail and sped through contested fractions (22.21, 45.77) under Amadeo Perez before inching away on the final turn and finishing well clear at the line in 1:17.37 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Star Lot Stable’s DON W was held in reserve behind the pace by Alex Marti and ran-on strongly late to be second for trainer Terry Jordan. Jordan Froelich and Dino Condilenios’ BETTER TONE was last early and made a run late to claim third spot under Silvino Morales for trainer Dino Condilenios.
Race 3 — The R.J. Bennett Memorial Purse
The third on the program was won by Willow Creek Farms’ PERFECT PENNY ($5.00), who sat a nice trip behind a quick pace under Antonio Reyes, the pair scooting up the inside to challenge for the lead turning for home and barely proving best in 1:17.99 for trainer Steve Henson. G.O. Stables and Alexa Ramirez's PENALTY TO RANGERS was very fast early and was pushed through very fast splits (21.96, 45.29) with Brian Boodramsingh at the controls. They stayed game throughout, finishing a solid second for Erick Gutierrez. Bob Leffler's WALKINTHEWALK closed-up smartly through the lane and just missed under apprentice Taylor Jeszenszky, finished a close third for trainer Dino Condilenios.
Race 4 — The $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, 2-y-o Colts & Geldings
The fourth was the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity and, going gate-to-wire, was Willow Creek Farms and Lorie Henson’s MOUNT DOOM ($4.00), who led from the start (22.11, 45.79) under Antonio Reyes and never gave them a chance as he cruised under the line in 1:17.66 for trainer Steve Henson. Curtis Landry's PUTTINGONTHEFOIL turned a huge effort on his first start in Vancouver under Dane Nelson and they re-rallied up the inside to claim the runner-up spot for trainer Gonzalo Anderson. Joe and Gloria Russo's KRIS'S GOLD was very impressive on his debut, racing up close to the swift pace and staying on gamely for third for Patty Leaney .
Race 5 — The $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, 2-y-o Fillies
The fifth race was the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity and saw Jeff Sengara's SOMEDAY LADY ($10.20) prove best under Kerron Khelawan, the pair settling behind a contested pace before pouncing on the leaders midway on the stretch turn and drawing clear late for a big score in 1:17.66 for conditioner Cindy Krasner. Dallas Nelson's THEY CALL ME TOM turned in a big performance for trainer Tim Rycroft, chasing the hot pace under Kimal Santo and bravely battling back on the inside to finish a good second. Conrad Rozenek's BREEZIN BRIANNE set a quick tempo under Brian Boodramsingh (22.14, 45.89) and surprisingly lost the pace battle, ending up third as the heavy favourite for trainer Mel Snow.
Race 6 — The $125,000 British Columbia Derby (G3), 3-y-o Colts and Geldings
The sixth of the afternoon was the $125,000 BC Derby going a mile-and-an-eighth and wearing the rose garlands in the winner’s circle was Peter Redekop's AUGUST RAIN ($3.70), who turned in his usual professional run under Amadeo Perez, coming from just off the pace to win convincingly in 1:51.20 for trainer Barbara Heads. WYN Racing Stables’ MONEYSHOT reversed running styles, coming from dead last and was flying late in an excellent strategy change to get the runner-up spot for trainer Ian Jewell. Lance Giesbrecht and Gord Christoff’s
J DUTTON was resilient throughout after being dealt a tough outside post under Antonio Reyes and they battled on to be third for trainer Rob Anderson.
Race 7 — The $75,000 British Columbia Oaks, 3-y-o Fillies
The seventh was the $75,000 BC Oaks and, as expected, Peter Redekop's AVANA ($2.50) made her patented brilliant move from off the pace to just get up for a narrow win in 1:51.03 under Amadeo Perez for trainer Barbara Heads. The Bennett's VIVA LA DIVA was equally as brilliant, setting a sensible pace (23.91, 49.17, 1:14.17) with Antonio Reyes aboard, and they stayed determinedly to the wire before grudgingly giving way late. Gord Christoff’s EYES OF BEAUTY was part of the slow tempo and held well to be third for trainer Rob Anderson.
Race 8 — The “Handsome Rob” Nofield Memorial Purse
The eighth and final live race went to Willow Creek Farm's I'M SEEING RED ($22.50) who was sent off to a clear lead (22.31, 45.69) by Kimal Santo and never relinquished it winning easily in 1:17.63 for conditioner Steve Henson. LH Stables KIKIS LOVE OF LIFE was close to pace and stayed on well to be the runner-up under Brian Boodramsingh for Rob VanOverschot. Larry and Margaret Getson and Rocking Bar B Outfit’s MAX BOOSTER was far back early and made a good three wide move on the final turn to be third for Hall-of-Fame conditioner Frank Barroby.
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