Hat-trick for Morales

Good-sized, competitive fields helped produce a strong handle at Hastings, as racegoers were treated to a three-timer from rider Silvino Morales and a winner apiece for the Seecharan twins

Jun 13, 2022

Efrain Hernandez aboard HARLAN’S ANGEL leads Learie Seecharan (pink) on LASTING LIGHT in race 6. The positions were reversed when they got to the wire next time around — photo Michael Bye

HIGHLIGHTS:

Barbara Heads had a training double.
Rider Silvino Morales had three wins on the day.
The handle was an impressive $635,804.
The Pick 5 carryover is up to $21,950 and the Pick 6 rose to $13,060.

Another cloudy day with occasional sunny breaks as the unseasonably cool spring enters its final days. The rain stayed away and the track was again fast all afternoon.

Race 1.

The first of the day went to Russ and Lois Bennett’s homebred BLACK METAL ($6.00) who settled on the outside of the favoured BLUEGRASS ANGUS through comfortable fractions of 22.66 and 46.20 then started to sneak away as they turned for home and had plenty left under Amadeo Perez to hold off another Bennett runner JUST MAKE BELIEVE in 1:17.65 for trainer Barbara Heads. Craig MacPherson's BLUEGRASS ANGUS tired a bit after his pacesetting efforts and ended up third.

BLACK METAL (Amadeo Perez) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 2.

The second of the afternoon was a trainer Triactor for Mark Cloutier as he saddled the first, second and third place finishers and crossing the line first was Roy and Dixie Jacobson’s COUNTRY COWBOY ($11.00) who looped the field in the stretch and drew away under Silvino Morales in 1:18.77. The Canmor Farms' TEXAS HUMOR battled on the pace (22.87, 46.58) with the Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ GROOVY GIRL and put her away and did well to hold second. Wayne Oliver and Stuart Carmichael’s VISENYA had no racing room on the final turn was finally afforded a lane to run in on the inside and just missed second money.

COUNTRY COWBOY (Silvino Morales) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 3.

The third race went to Mike Anderson and Terry Clyde's NORTHERN KID ($3.00) who recovered from a slow beginning and got a perfect trip on the rail which he needed to get the win under Lenny Seecharan for trainer Cindy Krasner 1:47.67. Warren Wilson, Neil Stajkowski, June Sutherland, Ross Switzer and Barry Hickman's HARBOUR STORM ran a much improved race showing good speed but never really got into a good spot as she was always hung wide and battled gamely to be a clear second in a very good effort. Rob and Sheena Maybin's JACK DON'T DRINK was last early and put in a solid late run to get third money.

NORTHERN KID (Lenny Seecharan) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 4.

The fourth was taken down easily by the Lindsay Racing Stables VALUABLE COWBOY ($5.20) who raced wide throughout and still drew off to an easy score with Silvino Morales in the irons for trainer Edgar Mendoza in 1:18.66. The Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's SLOOP JOHN B was a good striking position early under apprentice Kimal Santo and rallied gamely in between runners to win the photo for second. Jordan Froelich's DR BENNY came from well back to just miss second and ended up third.

VALUABLE COWBOY (Silvino Morales) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 5.

The fifth went to the RNH Stables SANAWAR ($4.80) who sat well off of the contested pace started to loom up on the stretch turn then Antonio Reyes decided to dive inside with the nine year old at the eighth pole which ended up being a winning move as he got up late for trainer Barbara Heads in 1:46.63. Gabrielle Mathussek’s PADDY D'ORO ran well again sitting in behind the speed angled out nearing the stretch and closed strongly through the lane to be second. The WYN Racing Stables VON DOM probably ran the best of them all as he challenged the quick pace of 23.72 and 47.57 and was the only one of the pace setters to be close at the end and he just missed by a head and neck to be an unlucky third.

CLAIM: AIRAFFAIR was claimed for $4,000 by the Hammer Racing Stable and trainer Rob Henson.

SANAWAR (Antonio Reyes, leading) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 6.

The sixth event saw an impressive run from a newcomer to our East End oval the Hastings Horsepower and Minnaloushe Stables LASTING LIGHT ($8.60) who broke on top and settled beautifully for Learie Seecharan getting early fractions of 22.61 and 46.01 and had just enough in the tank to win in a very quick 1:17.29 for trainer Dave Milburn. Jim and Anne Alendal’s HARLAN'S ANGEL was also away well and sat comfortably on the outside of LASTING LIGHT and was slowly gaining on the winner but ran out of racetrack and finished second. The RC Racing's RICHARDS COMMAND was stuck down on the rail early and when clear came running on late to capture third money.

CLAIM: RICHARDS COMMAND was claimed by JT Racing and owner-trainer Ryan Deyotte.

LASTING LIGHT (Learie Seecharan) — photo Patti Tubbs

Race 7.

The last of the day went to the Side Pot Stables WALKINTHEWALK ($3.90) who was away slowly but used the inside path to her advantage then swung out when entering the stretch to easily nail her stablemate SKY FACTOR and draw off for an impressive win for rider Silvino Morales and trainer Dino Condilenios in 1:18.65. Jordan Froelich's SKY FACTOR set all the early splits (22.58, 46.75) and led the field into the lane but couldn’t hold off his stablemate and had to settle for second. The Shamrock Racing Stables DEVINE DANCING had a good trip sitting just in behind the leaders on the rail and came out late to grab third money under Cerapio Figueroa.