Opening Day — Race Review
Mike Heads gives his race-by-race report on a wonderfully wet Opening Day at Hastings where the powerful Steve Henson and Edgar Mendoza barns both got off to flying starts
Highlights
Amadeo Perez had three winners on the day
Antonio Reyes had a riding double
Steve Henson and Edgar Mendoza had two training victories each
The handle for six races was $343,419
Nobody hit the Pick 5 so there is a carryover of $4,026 and also there were no winning tickets sold on the Super Hi-5 which resulted in carryover of $1,053 into next Saturday’s, May 4 program
A spectacularly wet Saturday failed to dampen Opening Day spirits as a healthy crowd returned to Hastings for the start of the 20204 season.
Race 1.
The opener of the 2024 campaign at Hastings went to Willow Creek Farm's TEXAS MOONSHINE ($12.90) who was content to relax early behind a quick pace and rallied wide on the final turn under Antonio Reyes to narrowly get the victory for trainer Steve Henson in 1:12.49. The Estate of Mauro Comensoli's DIVAANY was also far back off of the early fractions before motoring up the inside on the stretch turn and finished gamely, only to lose in a photo under Scott Williams for trainer Dino Condilenios. The Estate of Mauro Comensoli's STANFORD NORTH checked in third, completing the Triactor under Kimal Santo.
Race 2.
The second saw Willow Creek Farm's C C SUNRISE ($7.40) lead the field throughout, getting easy fractions of 23.76 and 47.89 before cruising to big score in 1:13.23 with Amadeo Perez in the irons for trainer Steve Henson. Greg Beneen's VISENYA put in a nice move from off the pace under Kerron Khelawan, despite being forced wide on both turns. Randy Lane and Roy Nelson's ISLAND LIVING made a mess of the start, costing her position and forcing Antonio Reyes to settle for third for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Race 3
The third went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's FRASER LANDING ($4.70) who out-broke the field, easily claiming the front end and setting very comfortable fractions of 23.08 and 47.25. Ridden by Amadeo Perez, he then then shook off a couple of challengers on the final turn and drew off for a good win in 1:12.36 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Don and Sue Danard's B C CHU CHU broke awkwardly and had to settle in behind the speed, then put in a nice run to be a clear second under Brian Boodramsingh for trainer Mel Snow. Triple 8 Racing’s ANDALEIGH made a menacing move on the stretch turn and looked a winner, but got a little tired late and checked in third under Ridge Balgobin for conditioner John Snow.
Race 4.
The fourth on the card was won by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ FOOTHILLS BLVD. ($13.60), who showed the best gate speed (22.48 and 46.50) and was resilient throughout under Antonio Reyes, hitting the finish line first in 1:12.11 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ EDDIE'S GIRL was taken in behind fillies early, settled on the rail and checked in second without threatening her stablemate under Amadeo Perez. WYN Racing Stables DONNA WYN was off a step slow, forcing pilot Kimal Santo to relax her early at the rear of the field. Then, at the far turn, she kicked into high gear and looped the field out wide to challenge for the lead and turned in an impressive performance to finish third.
Race 5.
The fifth event went to Ed Claggett's LUCKY FORCE ($3.30) who didn’t disappoint his backers as he was hammered down to be the 3-5 favourite and ground out a hard-fought victory under Amadeo Perez to win in 1:11.15 for trainer Craig MacPherson. Jordan Froelich's CEREBRO made a favourable impression in his Hastings debut, showing good speed while setting a lively pace under Silvino Morales (22.58, 45.53) and battled gamely through the stretch for Dino Condilenios, ending up a solid second. Larry Potozny, Peter Langelaan and the Wil-a-Way Farms FLORIDA GATOR was in a good spot early and ran evenly to be third.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day saw Joe and Gloria Russo's DEPUTY'S DANCER ($43.20) break like a rocket from his outside draw, vied for the lead (22.94, 46.43) and outran his chief rival to the wire to win in 1:11.72 under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Patty Leaney. Stewart Spencer's KNOPFLER ran his usual tough race under Silvino Morales, battling on the lead and staying on gamely through the stretch for trainer Keith Pedersen, but had to settle for second money. Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s FRANKIE MACHINE was far back early and flew late to get the third spot under Scott Williams.
New Stride News
The Austeville Properties-sponsored New Stride Jumper Challenge class of 2024 got underway at Thunderbird Showpark, Langley yesterday, withe the former Dave Forster-trained DEEP COVE (Harbor the Gold) taking the honours. Now a six-year-old, Deep Cove was bred in B.C. by Peter Redekop and, now owned and ridden by Georgann Gregory, is more proof that Thoroughbreds are more than “just” racehorses — Photos, courtesy Samantha Kemp Photography
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, April 28
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