Perez Pounces on Smart Lad
Leading jockey Amadeo Perez's three wins on Saturday included a trademark ride aboard Smart Lad in the day's feature race, as trainers Henson and Gutierrez both saddled doubles
HIGHLIGHTS
Amadeo Perez had a riding triple
Trainer Steve Henson saddled a double
Erick Gutierrez had two training victories
Owners Willow Creek Farms struck twice
The ownership group of the G.O. Stables had two wins
The handle was $407,452
Five of the day’s seven winners were bred in B.C.
A strange day weather-wise as the cloud cover and a cool breeze gave lie to the recent arrival of summer. The occasional spot of rain failed to hinder the track as conditions remained fast and fair all afternoon
Race 1.
The first on Saturday saw Willow Creek Farms’ THREE DAY BENDER ($10.90) put it all together and do everything right as he cruised to an easy win in 1:18.92. The son of Lent broke alertly today and set a comfortable tempo (23.21, 46.95) under Antonio Reyes and had plenty left to win in the clear for trainer Steve Henson. The Triple 8 Racing’s DEANARROW was in a perfect spot early under Fraser Aebly but couldn’t stay with the winner and coasted in a clear second. The Hastings Horsepower and Minnaloushe Stables MEMORANDUM tracked the speed from his inside draw, lost contact approaching the far turn but came back again in the lane to be third.
Race 2.
The second of the afternoon went to another Willow Creek Farms’ runner as IRISH LUNA ($6.20) was given a perfect ride by Amadeo Perez, tracking a quick pace before pouncing on the tiring leader to win in an impressive 1:44.06 for trainer Steve Henson. Gary Johnson, Pumpkin and Sharlea Stable's ZETAMARIE was far back early and made a solid late run under Antonio Reyes to snatch second spot for conditioner Frank Barroby. Don Tetaranko’s SILK STILETTOS set a lively pace under Fraser Aebly, getting interior splits of 23.23, 46.91 and 1:11.63, and was outrun late but held third money.
Race 3.
The third race was won by George Gilbert's SMART LAD ($6.00), who was in an ideal striking position under Amadeo Perez. The duo pounced on the final turn and held well in the stretch to win in 1:16.47 for trainer Mark Cloutier. Russ and Lois Bennett's SET TO SHINE was off a step slow and was left with too much to do but rallied to get the second spot. Robin Sadler, John and Kim Morrison's BOLD ARCH was involved in a wild pace duel (21.32, 44.21) and had nothing left when the top two came to call at the top of the stretch, but did hold third place.
Race 4.
The fourth went to Peter Redekop's AZOV SEA ($6.00) who made his Hastings debut a winning one. The import from California settled on the outside of a tepid pace (22.74, 46.45) under Amadeo Perez and just managed to outgame his rival to the wire to win in 1:18.35 for trainer Barbara Heads. Mark Freeman's MY MAN STAN was also making his first start in Vancouver and was inside of AZOV SEA on the pace the entire trip and just missed with Kimal Santo in the irons. Julie Balenzano and Susanna Calendino's ENGLISH BAY TEDDY was away a heartbeat slow then raced much of the trip in the three path and did well to finish a close third.
Race 5.
The fifth on the program went to the G.O. Stables’ KOALA ($9.10), who tracked a sensible pace of 22.82 and 46.34, then sped off on the final turn to build an insurmountable lead and coast to the wire under Silvino Morales in 1:17.42 for trainer Erick Gutierrez. Jordan Froelich's BELLAROO was a little farther back than usual but still came with a good late kick to earn second money. Lorie Henson and Helen Klimes’ QUEEN OF ATTITUDE took her usual spot at the back of the pack, but couldn’t find room on the stretch turn until it was too late and could only rescue the third spot.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day saw Don Danard and Mel Snow's DRILL BABY DRILL ($6.80) strike oil, finally breaking her maiden on the seventeenth start of her career. Rider Brian Boodramsingh had her tucked in nicely behind the speed (23.23, 47.81) and had to await racing room briefly on the stretch turn. But, once clear, she exploded and ran on for that elusive first victory in 1:20.58 for trainer Mel Snow. Maureen Byrne's STRIKING VALUE was impressive today, weaving her way through the field to get the runner-up spot. The Ironside Stables SHE'S ON FIRE suffered from a wide trip and ran really well to be a fast closing third.
Race 7.
The last of the day went to the G.O. Stables’ TEXAS HUMOR ($4.80), who ground out a win in the three path under Jose Sanchez in 1:18.85, giving trainer Erick Gutierrez his second win on the afternoon. The Willow Creek Farms’ PERFECT PENNY had a perfect ground saving trip under Amadeo Perez, ending up second. The Dreamtime Stable, Heather Clark and Greg Beneen's THESKYISTHELIMIT was sharp away from the gate and set a quick contested pace of 22.45 and 45.84. She led the field into the lane but tired and finished a close third.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines - Sunday, June 25
Clocker’s Corner
Canada Day 2023
Lots of fun on the agenda for Canada Day, including a best-dressed competition and a guaranteed $20,000 Pick 4!
Canada Day will also feature the 2023 edition of Groom Appreciation Day, hosted once more by trainer Barbara Anderson-Heads on behalf of the Anderson family that has been so inextricably linked with Canadian racing down the years. Winning grooms, selected by random draw prior to each race, will receive prizes in well-deserved recognition of the essential part they play in ensuring we can race at Hastings.
Racing at Hastings continues Sunday with a seven race program starting at 2:00pm
*All photos Michael Bye and Patti Tubbs unless otherwise stated
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