Legacy Square Crushes Diamond Stakes
Another impressive win by the season’s best juvenile colt in the Jack Diamond, as AIR FORCE flies gate-to-wire to land the Sadie Diamond on a star-spangled afternoon of racing
HIGHLIGHTS
Trainer Edgar Mendoza had a double on the day
Trainer Keith Pedersen also saddled two winners
Amadeo Perez and Antonio Reyes both rode doubles
The Pick 5 carryover is at $13,532 and the Pick 6 is up to $6,680
The handle was $444,097
Race 1.
The Saturday opener went to the Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds QUALITY COMMAND ($4.80), who was afforded a very easy lead through splits of 22.60 and 46.63 then easily slipped away in the stretch to win in the clear under Amadeo Perez in 1:17.27 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. The More Rewards Syndicate’s WIDE AWAKE was off a step slow but managed to get into a good spot behind the slow pace and ran on late to get second for trainer Tara Neigel. The Willow Creek Farms NOTHINGBUTSUNSHINE had a wide trip which didn’t help her chances and she did well to challenge the winner on the final bend but ended up losing second late and finished third.
Race 2.
The second of the day was won by Gary Johnson, Zeta Hannah, Sharlea and Pumpkin Stables ZETAMARIE ($3.70), who broke on top but was let settle by Antonio Reyes tracking the speed and when asked she easily breezed by the leaders and drew off to a blowout victory for Hall-of-Fame trainer Frank Barroby in 1:47.04. Rob and Sheena Maybin's CERTIFIABLE was on the outside throughout under apprentice Shaquil McIntosh and just grinded out second money nearing the wire. Fred and Sheldon Kwan's BAKZONE battled on the pace through quick fractions of 23.98, 47.93 and 1:13.60 and held on admirably just missing second and ending up third
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Race 3.
The third of the afternoon went to the Hastings Racing Club’s HOLLYWOOD MISTRESS ($4.70), who was given a perfect ride by Scott Williams, the pair settling behind a quick pace (23.62, 47.61 and 1:13.56) then stayed out wide when the speed started to tire and built up a big lead and held that advantage to the finish in 1:45.67 for trainer Keith Pedersen. The D and E Racing’s LIZZIES GIRL was the unluckyiest horse of th3 day as she looked to be cruising on to victory on the backstretch but ran into a tiring pace setter losing all momentum and turned in a remarkable late run to be second. The Side Pot Stables WALKINTHEWALK settled comfortably off of the quick pace and made a wide move to get in contention but couldn’t stay with the winner and lost second at the wire.
Race 4 - New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society 20th Anniversary Race
The fourth on the program was won impressively by Rob and Sheena Maybin's NEIGHNEIGH ($13.70) who disputed the early pace (22.63, 46.19) in the three path then cleared all rivals approaching the far turn and kept to her task winning smartly in 1:18.31 under Silvino Morales for trainer Rob Maybin. The Freedom Farms, Wayne Oliver and Peter Tom's ADDENDUM was a tad slow to begin under Kerron Khelawan but assumed a nice spot early and when asked at the far turn put in a solid late run to be a clear second for trainer Tara Neigel. Dennis Tucker and Brian Albertson’s INDYETTA was on the lead early and stayed on top until the far turn couldn’t stay with winner but held well for third.
Race 5 - Sadie Diamond Futurity Stakes
The fifth of the day was the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity going six and a half furlongs and taking home the top prize was Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's AIR FORCE ($7.50), who battled from gate to wire and just got up by a desperate nose for the win under Antonio Reyes for conditioner Keith Pedersen in 1:19.27. The son of Counterforce was away well and seemed comfortable the entire trip and was able to do just enough to secure the win. The Canmor Farm's ABOVE AVERAGE was game in defeat after setting a contested pace with the winner through splits of 22.21 and 46.29 under AmadeoPerez and lost by a nose bob at the wire. Len Harris' HIGHER IMAGE made a huge run at long odds from well back under Kimal Santo and made things very interesting in the stretch ending up a close third.
Race 6. — Jack Diamond Futurity Stakes
The sixth was the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity for two year olds going six and a half furlongs and hitting the line first in a huge performance was the Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's LEGACY SQUARE ($3.50), who was sharp early and led the field to the first turn chose to settle in second under Efrain Hernandez then came back on the outside on the final turn with an explosive move to crush the field in a swift 1:16.76. The Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAK TO LIBERTY ran his usual good race behind his stablemate checking in second and Jerry Billan's TIME TICKER rounded out the top three with as good run from off the pace to get third.
Race 7.
The seventh and final on the day was won by the Canyon Farm's BAKLANE ($3.50), who was sent off to the front by AmadeoPerez and was never really in jeopardy as he cruised through nice splits (22.20, 45.87) and drew off to an easy score in 1:17.76 for trainer Craig MacPherson. The Hawaiian Shirt Guys FOOT SOLDIER was also sent to lead and was settled comfortably in second under Scott Williams and stayed on to be second. Luis Megalhaes MACHINE turned in a better effort on the class drop and closed up strongly to be third.
OWNERS:
Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds - 13
Rob and Sheena Maybin - 13
Willow Creek Farms - 10
TRAINERS:
Edgar Mendoza - 34
Barbara Heads - 33
Mark Cloutier – 22
Steve Henson - 21
JOCKEYS:
Amadeo Perez - 67
Antonio Reyes - 48
Efrain Hernandez - 31
Silvino Morales - 30
Special Reminder HBPA Annual General Meeting
WHAT? The HBPA Annual General Meeting
WHEN? October 20th at 6:30pm
WHERE? In person at the George Royal Room, Hastings Racecourse
Please confirm your intention to attend by emailing HBPA Secretary Neil Stajkowski on HBPANeilS@gmail.com
A light supper will be available.
NOTE: GPEB trainer or owner licenses are required to vote on any resolutions so please bring them along to confirm eligibility as required
Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White
Racing resumes today Sunday, October 2nd with a seven race card that starts at 2:00 p.m.