Hat-Trick for Henson
Trainer Steve Henson's fast-starting barn remains in marauding form, sending out three more winners on Saturday, while riders Kimal Santo and Amadeo Perez both bag doubles
HIGHLIGHTS
Trainer Steve Henson had a training triple on the day
Kimal Santo and Amadeo Perez had riding doubles
The handle was $394,513
Six of the day’s seven races were won by horses bred in British Columbia
The heavy morning rain pushed through to leave a cloudy and annoyingly cool afternoon. The continued wet weather left he track in ‘wet fast’ condition for the first five races and then ‘good’ for the final two contests with conditions again mostly favouring horses on the speed.
Race 1.
The first race of the day saw Nicole Droder's TIZ VICIOUS ($4.50) just get up in deep stretch under Kerron Khelawan to win a stretch-long duel in a sharp time of 1:16.03 for trainer Craig MacPherson. Hastings Horsepower and Minnaloushe Stables I'M CORFU was away and secured the lead and the rail through splits of 22.22 and 45.90, then started to sneak away under Learie Seecharan but was just caught late in a huge performance but having to settle for the runner-up spot for conditioner Peter Milburn. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ STAY FANTASTIC was not at the his best distance but did very well to close up late to be third under Amadeo Perez for trainer Edgar Mendoza.
Race 2.
The second of the day went to Willow Creek Farm's TEXAS MOONSHINE ($5.20), who became the first three-time winner at the young meet as he confidently held his rivals at bay under Antonio Reyes to win in 1:44.72 for Steve Henson. Doug Corsan, Len Houwelling and Mel Snow's SLEW'S DA BOSS turned in a strong run as he stretched out to his preferred distance, but couldn’t quite catch the winner and was a clear second for trainer Mel Snow. Michelle Roberts-Henson, Brad Henson, Randy Henson, Dan Henson and Trevor Irwin's BARNEY GOOGLE was content to settle behind the leaders and closed up to be third under Amadeo Perez for trainer Rob Henson.
Race 3.
The third on the program was won by ReinDance Farm's BAKKEN OVERDRIVE ($4.90) who drove clear early to set uncontested fractions of 22.11 and 45.67 under Kimal Santo. They had plenty left in reserve to turn back all challenges to get the victory in 1:16.67 for trainer Cindy Krasner. George and Donna Gilbert’s COUNTERACT settled in behind the speed on the rail with Amadeo Perez at the controls. They drifted off the fence on the final turn to engage but couldn’t match strides with the winner and easily held second for trainer Barbara Heads. Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's ROCKCLIFFE spent much of the trip the three path under Silvino Morales and had to settle for third.
Race 4
The fourth of the afternoon saw Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAKBURNER ($10.10) find her way to an easy uncontested lead of 22.35 and 46.78 before sprinting home under Kimal Santo to an impressive triumph in 1:17.12 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Russ Bennett's VIVA LA DIVA was settled in second by Antonio Reyes and stayed there for the remainder of the trip. Don and Sue Danard's BROOKE MAGIC was a little wide on the final bend and, with the lack of pace in the race, Brian Boodramsingh was only able to get the third spot for trainer Mel Snow.
Race 5.
The fifth race of the day was won by Helen Klimes, Jo-Anne McDonald and Sharon Pring's THERE GOES MY HERO ($13.50) who was given a textbook ride by Amadeo Perez. Content to sit in behind a pace duel, then edge out to the three path and staying clear of trouble, they ran on to victory for trainer Steve Henson in 1:17.66. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BECKETT'S BEST was engaged in a quick pace duel (22.25, 45.52) with Kimal Santo aboard and emerged with the lead in deep stretch but could not hold the advantage, ending up a game runner-up for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Willow Lake and Stables ROLLIE'S SPIRIT had an unfortunate trip on the inside under Ridge Balgobin as he saved ground throughout and appeared to be travelling best on the stretch turn, but did not have racing room and had to steady losing momentum forcing him to finish an unlucky third.
Race 6.
The sixth race on the card was reduced to a field of four and taking advantage was Willow Creek Farms WHEN IN MEXICO ($8.60), who easily wired the field of maidens under Scott Williams, getting fractions of 22.52 and 46.99 before opening up decisively in the lane to win by many in 1:18.52 for conditioner Steve Henson. Forster Stable's ON MY GOOD SIDE tracked the speed under Silvino Morales and drew alongside on the stretch turn, but could not stay with the winner and ended up a clear runner-up for trainer Dave Forster. Joe and Gloria Russo's GO LENT GO raced on the rail throughout with Learie Seecharan up and checked in third.
Race 7.
The seventh race of the afternoon was won by Len Harris’ HIGHER IMAGE ($25.90), who sat a nice trip in behind the speed under Amadeo Perez then popped out three deep at the top of the lane and surged past the pacesetters to win in 1:17.18 for trainer Rob VanOverschot. Don Danard and Kim Kozak's WEEKENDINDELMAR was keen early, setting a contested but sensible pace (22.81, 46.64) under Kerron Khelawan, and stayed on gamely for second for conditioner Kim Kozak. Don Danard and Mel Snow's B C CHU CHU was also on the pace under Brian Boodramsingh and was in contention but had to settle for the third spot.
Claims:
WEEKENDINDELMAR was claimed by owner Richard J Hunter for trainer Edgar Mendoza
Friday Night Claims
Race 6:
BAK TO LIBERTY was claimed by owners Jesse and Kim Morrison for trainer Jesse Morrison
Important — Trainers’ Meeting!
There will be a trainers’ meeting on Tuesday, May 28 at 11am in the George Royal Room in the grandstand. The meeting has been called by the Racing Office to discuss new conditions and horse numbers.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, May 26
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