Perez Bags Opening Day Triple

A large Hastings' crowd revelled in perfect spring weather as last year's leading rider made another rapid start to the campaign

May 04, 2025

An excellent crowd came out to join the Opening Day fun and take in the Kentucky Derby action on the big screen — *photo Michael Bye*

HIGHLIGHTS:

Amadeo Perez had a riding triple.
The handle came in at $316,512.
A large Opening Day crowd were on hand to view the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby

Racing Around — photos Michael Bye and Patti Tubbs

Perfect spring weather enticed a large crowd of racing fans to celebrate Opening Day at Hastings. The track was fast and fair all afternoon.

Race 1.

ANNIKA’S SONG (Amadeo Perez) — *photo Michael Bye*

The season opener went to Roy and Dixie Jacobson’s ANNIKA'S SONG ($3.20) who raced comfortably in the two path on a sensible pace (23.72, 47.09) under Amadeo Perez. The pair battled gamely to the wire while lugging in a bit, but managed to find the line first in 1:12.28 for trainer Mark Cloutier. The Swift Thoroughbreds debutante GIMLET turned in a huge effort from her inside draw as she ran hooked with the winner and stayed on strongly under Kimal Santo for conditioner Dino Condilenios. Don and Sue Danard's WHY NOTS A WYNNER moved up three-wide to engage the leaders on the final bend with apprentice Richard Balgobin at the controls, ending up a close third for trainer Mel Snow.

Race 2.

DON’TPASSTHEPEPPER (Kerron Khelawan) — *photo Patti Tubbs*

The second of the day saw Joe and Gloria Russo's DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER ($7.10) take an easy and uncontested lead under Kerron Khelawan (24.50, 48.11), then had to work hard to open up late to win in 1:12.92 for trainer Patty Leaney. Bob Leffler, Bryan Killins and Gord McCormick’s ANOTHERSUNNYDAY hopped as the gates sprung, losing valuable position, but was able to overcome the tardy beginning to be second under Kimal Santo for Dino Condilenios. WYN Racing Stables’ ICE BREAKER was away well on the inside and closed-up sharply to get the third spot for Larry Grieve.

Race 3.

KNOPFLER (Amadeo Perez) — *photo Patti Tubbs*

The third race of the afternoon was won by Stewart Spencer and Sean Ederer’s KNOPFLER ($6.00), who was eager away from the gate for rider Amadeo Perez. They battled on a quick pace (23.33, 46.37) before edging clear inside the sixteenth pole to secure the victory in a quick 1:11.54 for Keith Pedersen. Joe and Gloria Russo's DEPUTY’S DANCER was also sharp from the gate and held the rail and the lead under Kerron Khelawan until the stretch, before surrendering late and ending up a good second for Patty Leaney. Jordan Froelich's KOWBOYKABIN was held in reserve early by Richard Balgobin and, when asked, put in a sharp late run to just miss second and end up an impressive third for trainer Dino Condilenios.

Race 4.

ROSE OF TEXAS (Bebeto Harvey, #5) just holds on in a driving finish against TEXAS HUMOR (Amadeo Perez) — *photo Michael Bye*

The fourth race saw Don Danard and Mel Snow's ROSE OF TEXAS ($9.00) take full advantage of a pace-less field, galloping to the front through pedestrian fractions (24.71, 48.48) with Bebeto Harvey in the saddle before fighting valiantly to the wire to win a desperate photo in 1:13.07 for veteran conditioner Mel Snow. G.O. Stables TEXAS HUMOR was in the pace battle throughout under Amadeo Perez but lost the bob at the finish, ending up a clear second for trainer Erick Gutierrez. Hastings Horsepower and Motley Crew's TRIPLE L’S CUTTER was settled in behind the slow pace by Learie Seecharan and popped out for the drive but couldn’t gain on the top two ending up a good third for trainer Dave Milburn.

Race 5.

FINDING WAYS (Chris Mamdeen) — *photo Michael Bye*

The fifth on the program went to Rob and Sheena Maybin's FINDING WAYS ($3.40) who broke keenly under Chris Mamdeen, setting very comfortable fractions (24.04, 47.31) and cruising clear late to win nicely in 1:11.74 for trainer Rob Maybin. J G Williamson Racing's BAK TO LIBERTY was in a good striking position under Amadeo Perez, with dead aim on the winner, but couldn’t match strides and ended up a good second for conditioner Steve Henson. Saundra Chipman's THERE GOES MY HERO rallied strongly through the lane to be third under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Keith Pedersen.

Race 6.

**THOMPSON (Amadeo Perez)** — *photo Patti Tubbs*

The sixth of the day was won by Dreamtime Stables, RKR Racing and Nancy Betts’ THOMPSON ($5.50), who enjoyed a perfect trip behind a speed duel to win stylishly under Amadeo Perez in 1:11.93 for trainer Nancy Betts. Rob and Sheena Maybin's BUCK'S FIZZ also prospered from the quick pace duel in front of him and claimed the runner-up spot with Richard Balgobin up for Rob Maybin. Saundra Chipman's STANFORD NORTH was chased intently on the head end through torrid splits (23.02, 46.61) and stayed on determinedly to be third with Kerron Khelawan for trainer Keith Pedersen.