Forcing the Issue
Forcing the Issue
Lucky Force and Air Force land the day's Stakes contests to give local sire Counterforce a landmark afternoon, as rider Amadeo Perez lands the first four races
HIGHLIGHTS
Amadeo Perez rides winners of the first four races
Edgar Mendoza had a training double
The handle was $438,285
Lucky Force gives owner Ed Claggett a first Stakes win
BC-breds take both Stakes races and six of the day’s seven races
BC-based stallion COUNTERFORCE sires winners of both Stakes races
The long hot, dry spell finally relented on Saturday, as scudding grey clouds and an unseasonably cool breeze brought showers and a chill to Vancouver. The track was officially ‘sloppy’ but fair all afternoon
Race 1.
The first on Belmont Stakes Saturday went to the Canmor Farms, Maureen Goss and Adrian Trombley’s ANAAMY ($5.90), who was given a picture-perfect ride by Amadeo Perez to get up on the inside and win in 1:18.14 for trainer Mark Cloutier. Larry Potozny and Jordan Froelich's NO PEOPLE showed speed and settled just off of the leaders then lost position approaching the quarter-pole, drifting back to third, before rallying late to just miss. Rob and Sheena Maybin's VALERIE VALESKI set a comfortable pace under Chris Mamdeen (22.73, 46.22) and led the field into the lane but couldn’t quite stay the trip, ending up a close third.
Claims:
NO PEOPLE was claimed by owners Paul LeMasurier, Bulldog Bros. Racing, Robbie Thacker for trainer Paul LeMasurier
Race 2.
The second of the afternoon was reduced to a field of three after two late scratches. Taking advantage was the Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAK TO LIBERTY ($2.90), who led from start to finish, setting splits of 25.01 and 49.14 under Amadeo Perez and easily bested his two rivals to win in 1:19.24 for conditioner Edgar Mendoza. Don and Sue Danard's MAGIC ROAD chose to sit in behind the leader and held his position in second throughout. The Freedom Farms, Wayne Oliver, D & E Racing and More Rewards Syndicate’s TONTO was away slowly losing all chance and ended up third.
Race 3.
The third was won by Marty Miller's LOVEABOVEANDBEYOND ($5.60), who sat a great trip just off of a sensible pace (22.72, 46.39) and cruised home well clear under Amadeo Perez in 1:17.16, giving Edgar Mendoza back-to-back training victories. Bruce Unwin’s INDYGOGOLD closed up late to get the runner-up spot. Bryan and Carol Anderson's AMANDA was glued to the rail early, came out for the stretch drive and lost the photo for second.
Race 4.
The fourth of the day was taken by Rob and Sheena Maybin's BELLAROO ($4.70) who sat a perfect trip under (who else) Amadeo Perez behind the speed and simply waited for an opening and an opportunity came at the eighth-pole and they shot through the hole to claim the front and win going away in 1:17.01. Dennis Spence’s THE KAT'S BACK was sent hard for the lead by Kimal Santo and settled nicely through fractions of 22.74 and 46.27 and held the lead into the stretch but couldn’t hold off BELLAROO and easily held second. Gary Johnson, Pumpkin and Sharlea Stable's ZETAMARIE was far back early behind the slow pace managed to make some headway on the stretch turn and ran into the third spot.
Claims:
BELLAROO was claimed by owner Jordan Froelich for trainer Dino Condilenios
Race 5 — $50,000 Ross McLeod Stakes
The fifth on the program was the $50,000 Ross McLeod Stakes for three year olds going six and a half furlongs and taking the top prize was the undefeated LUCKY FORCE ($9.50) who is owned by Ed Claggett and trained by Craig MacPherson. The son of Counterforce was away well and tracked a slow tempo (23.18, 46.81) and outsprinted everyone to the wire in an impressive time of 1:16.93 under Ridge Balgobin. The Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's LEGACY SQUARE was a lot farther back than usual behind a very slow pace and couldn’t make up the needed ground and finished second. The Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's ROCKCLIFFE secured the lead early and stayed on gamely to be a close third.
Race 6 — $50,000 River Rock Casino Stakes
The sixth of the day was the $50,000 River Rock Casino Stakes for three year old fillies at six and a half furlongs and winning the $27,500 first place cheque was Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's AIR FORCE ($4.90) who did not disappoint her backers as she stay strong on the head end and refused to give in and earned a hard fought victory in 1:17.03 under Antonio Reyes for trainer Keith Pedersen. The Canmor Farm's ABOVE AVERAGE removed the blinkers for today’s race and it proved to be a great move as she relaxed off of the pace and closed bravely through the lane and just missed under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Mark Cloutier. The WYN Racing Stables KEY TO SUCCESS made an impressive debut at Hastings racing three wide through most of the journey and checked in a close third only beaten by a little more than a than length under Kimal Santo.
Race 7.
The seventh on the card was taken down by Joe and Gloria Russo's STAR FINALITY ($8.80) who took a big class drop and made no mistakes to win in 1:20.00 for trainer Patty Leaney. She was in a good position early tucked in behind the speed and while there were some anxious moments at the top of the stretch Kerron Khelawan guided her through a narrow opening on the rail in the stretch to get the win. Don Danard and Mel Snow's DRILL BABY DRILL ran her usual good race and racked up her eighth runner-up effort of her sixteen race career and won’t be long in breaking through with her first ever victory. The Ironside Stables SHE'S ON FIRE was used hard from her outside gate by Kimal Santo to get into a good spot early and fought stubbornly through the lane to be third.
Racing resumes today, Sunday June 11th , with a seven-race program that starts at 2:00 p.m.
Belmont Stakes Replay
Breakfast With the Horses — June 24
Mark your calendars on Saturday, June 24th for the Hastings Racecourse version of Clocker’s Corner! Join the HBPA_BC-hosted morning workouts event from 8:00-10:00AM trackside at the Winner’s Circle. Coffee, pastries and a few giveaways too. All are welcome!
Taylor Jeszenszky
Popular young backstretch exercise rider Taylor Jeszenszky suffered serious facial injuries in a spill last Saturday — and very much needs our support.
Taylor has undergone several operations already and faces a lengthy period of convalescence before she can get back to what she loves. We’d obviously like everyone to give Taylor as much help and support as we possibly can.
There is a donation box in Trackers on the backstretch and donations can also be handed directly to trainer Steve Henson or HBPA secretary Neil Stajkowski.
Alternatively, anyone who would like to donate remotely can e-transfer their donation directly to Neil’s HBPA address: hbpaneils@gmail.com
All donations, no matter how small, will be received gratefully and will go towards helping with Taylor’s rehabilitation. We need her back as soon as possible and we hope you will all join us in sending Taylor all our love and best wishes for the speediest of recoveries!
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