Just For Starters
Seven wide-open contests at Hastings on Sunday to sharpen the appetite ahead of Monday's holiday feast of valuable Stakes races
A wide-open start to the afternoon. Aditya refuses to finish further away than fourth and will again be thereabouts, while Tiz Meow is another ultra-consistent sort who lines-up here on the back of a nice win last time. Quagmire beat Tiz Meow back in June on his last outing and Khaiky’s Command and Ave’s in Command have both either won or been second on each of their their previous three starts. There may be some value with ALWAYS A KNIGHT who returns to the bottom rung and was not being beaten too far last time in what was a tougher race than this.
Hanky Pranky went into plenty of notebooks when winning his maiden by six lengths back in May. He then ran perfectly well on both subsequent starts, the most recent of which was a rallying third behind Florida Gator and Visenya over today’s distance. Dr Benny showed a little class to see off subsequent winner Sloop John B when they clashed in June, while Visenya was beaten less than three lengths by Daphne and Amanda; form good enough to make her a leading candidate here. BETTER TONE may find this company a little more amiable after finding the Chris Loseth Handicap a bit hot last time. Silk Stilettos has been a little unlucky so far, is clearly well regarded and may be suited by the distance.
Several of these renew rivalry after they clashed earlier this month in a similar contest. Koala finished second to Sungold Beauty then, with today’s opponents Don’t Tess Me in third, the selection ICE BREAKER in fourth, Groovy Girl fifth and Devine Dancing back in sixth. A rekindling of Anaamy’s third back in May behind Makeitorbreakit makes her a leading candidate, while Countess Cat appears to have it all to do.
KICK UP THE DUST has run well in classy company this season and this may be the perfect opportunity for a confidence-boosting win - although it’s far from a formality. Lasting Light, for instance, was only a length behind Pretty Aria earlier this month with The Kat’s Back behind her, while Anothersunnyday beat previous easy winner Jersey Lillie comfortably last time and must have a serious chance here. Definite Pleasure and Boundforjamaica will need to find more based on their previous outings, while these represent the deepest waters yet navigated by Richard’s Command.
Jacobs Call has the advantage of having won at this distance, although it was at a marginally lower level than he faces here. One Fifty One, meanwhile, is dropping a rung of the class ladder after chasing home He’s Relentless last time, which puts him on the shortlist. The consistent Walkinthewalk is another who finds it difficult to run a bad race and is making his fist appearance since being claimed by the in-form Maybin barn. It may pay to take a chance on ERLICH, who was closing in on Finding Ways and Baklane last time and may appreciate a little extra yardage to show his best.
Airaffair will have plenty of supporters following an impressive near six-length romp over Flyingunderthegraydar last time. Racing River put in his best performance for a while when giving best only very late to Tiz Meow earlier this month. A repeat of that performance would give him a big chance on his first run for new connections. Marginal preference is given to the class-dropping KNOPFLER, who runs here at a level below that at which he won on his seasonal debut back in May.
The All Button is part horse and part soap opera. He’s on a four-timer here after winning each of his three appearances this season and he has also been claimed after each victory. Expect more claims box action today to go along with a rattling late finish as the eight-year-old takes aim on the leaders. Likely favourite Coulterberry is another late closer, although he is not helped by there being only one natural pacesetter in the field. Bluegrass Angus is often close to the front end and certainly wouldn’t need a second invitation to take advantage of slow fractions. BODEGA, meanwhile, as already won at Hastings this season in a higher class than he faces here. He may also appreciate the return to 6½ furlongs following two disappointing efforts over a mile-and-sixteenth.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks
Hastings’ Raiders
Plenty of Hastings representation over the hills in Edmonton this weekend. George Royal winner and former Canadian Derby hero UNCHARACTERISTIC goes in race two Friday evening, a $23k Allowance contest in which he faces another former Canadian Derby winner and Hastings’ protagonist, EXPLODE.
Uncharacteristic is trained by Rob VanOverschot, who also saddles ITSMYDAY in the $50k Count Lathum Stakes. Antonio Reyes takes the mount.
Reyes will be in Century Mile action again on Saturday when his rides include the Barbara Heads-trained RUN LOLA RUN in race 7, a $23k Allowance contest over 1 mile.
Meanwhile, Hastings handler Rob Gilker returns to Seattle on Saturday with NINE ONE ONE, who is on a hat-trick at Emerald Downs following the 4yo’s Maiden Special win in May and an impressive Allowance victory earlier this month. Alex Cruz rides.
