Perez Marches On
Perez Marches On
Amadeo Perez tightened his grip on another jockey's title with a superb late-summer double, as owner Stewart Spencer also greeted his silks twice on the final Friday night of the Hastings' season
HIGHLIGHTS
Owner Stewart Spencer had two wins
Trainers Keith Pedersen and Steve Henson saddled two winners each
Rider Amadeo Perez notched another double
Four of the night’s six winners were bred here in B.C.
The handle was $393,668
The kids may have gone back to school, but nobody told the summer as another hot and humid day gave way to a balmy September evening at Hastings. The track was fast all night with five of the six races going to horses on, or near, the front-end speed throughout
Race 1.
THE Friday opener was for two year olds going the nursery course distance of three-and-a-half furlongs and, easily proving fastest, was G.O. Stables’ ANOTHER LAST DANCE ($6.40). The daughter of Lent had the benefit of being the only entrant that had a previous race which is a huge edge and she parlayed the experience to a big victory under Amadeo Perez in 40.02 for trainer Erick Gutierrez. Lance Giesbrecht's STACK ATTACK was off a step slow but closed up gamely in the stretch to be a promising second under Silvino Morales for trainer Rob Anderson. Canyon Farm's KITTEN KANDY checked in third under Ridge Balgobin for conditioner Craig MacPherson.
Race 2.
THE second of the night was won by Joe and Gloria Russo's DON'TPASSTHEPEPPER ($8.30), who led the field from gate-to-wire through very slow splits (25.21, 49.94, 1:14.62) with Kerron Khelawan controlling, had just enough left to narrowly secure the win in 1:46.24 for trainer Patty Leaney. Willow Creek Farm's C C SUNRISE was pushed early to gain a favourable position under Amadeo Perez and they gave everything they had and just missed by a nose for conditioner Steve Henson. Don Musgrove's PINEAPPLE TIDBITS closed up well considering the slow tempo to be third with Silvino Morales aboard for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Race 3.
THE third race saw Willow Creek Farm's WHEN IN MEXICO ($5.00) break sharply under Amadeo Perez, guiding him through nice fractions of 22.42 and 46.48, before sprinting clear to win well in 1:17.69 for trainer Steve Henson. Sandra Corsan’s BORROWED EQUITY was content to settle at the rear of the field with Brian Boodramsingh and they closed quickly through the stretch to nail down the second spot for trainer Mel Snow. Rob and Sheena Maybin's RICK'S DANCER suffered from a wide trip, but boxed on gamely to just miss second and ending up a good third under Chris Mamdeen for Rob Maybin.
Race 4.
THE fourth race of the evening went to Stewart Spencer's LICORICE ($12.00), who sat on a sensible pace (22.45, 46.07) with Antonio Reyes aboard and ground out a game victory in 1:17.39 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Conrad Rozenek's MARYS TAPPIN SHOES sat a perfect trip behind the speed under Brian Boodramsingh, then tipped out three-wide for the drive and just missed for trainer Mel Snow. Mort Hall and Praven Sorensen's DREAMB was far back early in her first run since May and closed strongly to be third under Amadeo Perez for trainer Barbara Heads.
Race 5.
THE fifth race was won by J G Williamson Racing’s HIGHLINER ($4.80), who darted off to the front under Kimal Santo (22.66, 46.78), then opened up a big margin on the final bend and just lasted for the win in 1:17.76 for trainer Steve Henson. Jordan Froelich Georges and Eleutherios Georgeopoulos DUKE GIRLS was well positioned on the rail behind the slow pace and ran-on strongly late, ending up a fast-closing second for conditioner Dino Condilenios. Don Danard and Mel Snow's THINKING BACK turned in a much better performance chasing the speed and staying-on for third under Bebeto Harvey for Mel Snow.
Race 6.
THE sixth of the evening saw Stewart Spencer and Vanessa Pedersen's KNOPFLER ($7.00) settle just off the pace under Silvino Morales before collaring the leader at the top of the stretch and cruising by to win in 1:16.84 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Lorie Henson Helen Klimes and Sharon Pring's QUAGMIRE broke well under apprentice Taylor Jeszenszky, the pair choosing to relax just in behind the lead before making the front turning for home and getting reeled-in late to finish second for trainer Steve Henson. Jordan Froelich's READY HERO missed the break by a couple of lengths and settled in last early, then made a sharp move on the stretch turn to get in contention and claim third under Kimal Santo for conditioner Dino Condilenios.
HBPA Election Notice
The HBPA BC President has asked Neil Stajkowski to head the Nominations Committee.
To date the following nominations have been received:
For President: David Milburn – incumbent (1 to be elected)
For Director – Owner: Gary Johnson, Denise Praill, Nigel Reid and Don Danard are incumbents, and, to date, Chris Ceraldi, Gail Jewsbury and Jordan Froelich will also be on the ballot. (5 to be elected)
For Director – Trainer: Steve Henson, Barb Heads, Mel Snow, Patty Leaney are incumbents, and to date, John Snow, Mark Freeman and Demetris Topouzis will also be on the ballot. (5 to be elected)
Please note that an individual that is both an owner and trainer can run in the election only as a trainer.
Election Timing
The Election be electronic over a two-week period beginning September 30. Election details and election registration and election registration details will be posted on our website or on the notice board by the East Gate at Hastings.
HBPA of BC Scholarship Program
Baffert Eyes Yet Another Del Mar Futurity Sunday
By Del Mar Press
Closing day at Del Mar Sunday and that means there’s a Del Mar Futurity on tap. And just as sure as that’s true, so is it that the trainer with the best chance of winning the seven-furlong, Grade I, $300,000 shore championship event is none other than Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
The white-haired wonder has captured the Del Mar Futurity no fewer than – wait for it – 17 times already and guess what: he’s got not one, not two, but three chances to do it again this time around.
Seven 2-year-old colts in all will be saddled and sent postward for the 77th edition of the Del Mar swan song and wouldn’t you know that Baffert appears to have the best chance – or chances – to come away with yet another Futurity trophy.
For openers he’s got SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and partners’ Getaway Car, a Curlin colt who is two-for-two in his brief career, including a triumph in the Grade III Best Pal Stakes here on August 11. He gets leading rider Juan Hernandez in the boot and a morning line leading 6/5 on the program.
Next comes Pegram, Watson and Weitman’s Gaming, a Game Winner offspring who has run once and won once, capturing a straight maiden affair by more than five lengths, also on August 11. Put top rider Flavien Prat in the saddle for this one and pencil in the morning line number at second choice 7/2.
Finally, there’s another SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and partners’ youngster named Citizen Bull, an offspring of the top sire Into Mischief. He, too, ran once and won once and will have the saddle services of Hall of Famer Mike Smith come Sunday. He’s the stable’s “longshot” in the field with a morning line tag of only 9/2.
So, as anyone can see, Mr. Baffert is loaded for bear – and maybe buffalos and lions, too.
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