Saturday's Previews
The warm weather is expected to continue on Saturday and the action at Hastings looks equally hot with seven competitive races and smattering of future equine stars on duty
A fascinating opener which sees DIVAANY renew rivalry with stablemates EARS TO US and STANFORD NORTH, this time on a fast surface, after they clashed on opening day in the slop. Normally a frontrunner, Ears to Us took them to the far turn at a rapid pace last month, before running out of gas. He may be closer today if there’s a more judicious pace, while Divaany, held off the sharp end with eventual winner Texas Moonshine, slipped through on the rails and went down valiantly by just a head. STANFORD NORTH was closing on the leader when squeezed for room and clipped heels. He was lucky not to come down and should be nearer today with a clean run. However, all three will have to deal with the class-dropping BECKETT’S BEST, who was last seen when trailing home behind August Rain in October’s Glen Todd Ascot Graduation Stakes.
Trainer Steve Henson and owners Willow Creek Farms are already going gangbusters. They drop FLYING MISS down a rung or two here for her first outing of the season after last being seen finishing third in a $20,000 maiden claiming event last October. A repeat of that could easily be enough. Stablemate MINI MARKET is an interesting prospect. She’s a full sister to former Champion juvenile and multiple Stakes winner, Wise Market. If she’s even remotely as talented as her sibling, she could make things interesting on her racing debut. SHESBOURBONONICE hit the board three times last season and this represents the lowest level of competition she’s taken on in her 10 races to date.
A half-sister to former Champion Bayakoa’s Image, LOLA M scattered the wildlife with an eye-catching workout recently and takes on a select group here on her seasonal reappearance. She had today’s rival ARUNDEL CASTLE behind when winning on her racing debut last June, although she couldn’t land a blow behind the same foe and MATSQUI when they clashed in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap on her final outing last August. It seemingly took a while for the penny to drop with Arundel Castle, but she put it altogether in the CTHS Sales Stake in August, when narrowly besting fellow closer Matsqui. BUNNY, meanwhile, may need to avoid a front-end duel with Lola M, but the daughter of former Champion Snuggles was impressive when winning the middle of her three contests last season and is clearly a talented filly.
CURLIN ROCKS finished sixth of seven in his only outing as a three-year-old and much will need to be taken on trust after 10 months out. However, he has a nice pedigree, has been working satisfactorily and, with Amadeo Perez in the saddle, should have plenty of support. It surely won’t be long before BC CHU CHU and ANDALEIGH lose their maiden status. Both now have a run under their girths after finishing second and third respectively on opening day and should again feature prominently.
QUALITY COMMAND has been firing workout bullets for fun this spring and is a serious threat if those morning efforts translate into afternoon performance. With her rivals all making their seasonal reappearances, LUCY TREASURE may hold a fitness edge after arriving at Hastings on the back of a third-place finish at Turf Paradise in March, although both her wins last season came at a level arguably less challenging than this. WANDALITA opened her 2023 campaign with a win at this level before moving up to Allowance and Stakes company and looks a big threat here, while last year’s leading lower-level claimer, BELLAROO, rattled off three wins and a second in her final four outings of last season. She also won at the first time of asking last term although that was against less challenging opposition than she faces today.
This could be a little on the short side for Stakes performer DIOCLES, who likes to have a run at his opponents from off the pace, but he’s been working enthusiastically over the spring and took on the best juveniles of last season without quite getting his head in front. He won’t be a maiden long and remains an exciting prospect. HORATIO was only a half-length behind Diocles when they chased home subsequent Champion 2yo August Rain in last summer’s BC Cup Nursery Stakes, while CROWN COUNCIL is unlucky to still be a maiden after several promising runs last year. HIGHLINER should not be ignored, either. He’s from an in-form barn and traded punches with the smart VECTOR on his second and final outing of 2023.
FLORIDA GATOR should be match-fit following a solid third-place finish to the well-regarded LUCKY FORCE on opening day. He drops to a level well within his capabilities here and looks a major threat. FINDING WAYS won four times last season and only missed the board once in eight starts. He’s been working solidly in the morning and is making his first appearance for the Hastings Racing Club. ROOKIE YEAR, meanwhile, had BROKE N BROKEN’s number twice last season, including when winning at this level on his final outing in October, although both may be seen to better effect when they step up in distance later in the season.
Lisa & Mike’s Picks
Big Bonus up for Grabs in Western Derby Series
Western Canadian Derby Series returns for a second year with additional incentives aimed at rewarding runners in more than one of the three legs
There will again be a mouthwatering bonus of $100,000 paid to the owners of any horse able to land the Western Canadian Derby Series this season.
To collect, the same horse will need to win the $125,000 Manitoba Derby on August 5 at Assiniboia Downs, the $200,000 G3 Canadian Derby slated for Century Mile in Edmonton on August 24 and then the $125,000 G3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings, Vancouver on September 14.
In addition, this year a points system has been introduced to the program to provide $25,000 in bonuses to the owners and trainers who have competed in at least two of the three events. Points will be awarded based on their race finish in each of the legs, as well as to owners and trainers who run in all three races.
"Whenever you can get multiple racing jurisdictions working together to promote horse racing, you can't lose,” said Allen Goodsell, Racing Manager at Century Casinos. “We are excited for the new changes to the Western Canadian Derby Series that put more money into racing participants' pockets. We are really excited about the prospect of hosting the winner of all three legs,”
Meanwhile, Hastings’ own Dawn Lupul, manager of Racing and Communications for BC, said: “The introduction of the additional $25,000 in bonuses for owners and trainers will provide even more of an incentive to participate in the entire series, adding to the success of our inaugural season last year. We’ll be getting the cheques ready!”
Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs commented: “ASD is so pleased to continue to work with our western partner racetracks on this exciting and rewarding Derby series. This year’s rendition has been bolstered by additional reward money targeted at participation and excellence in results and should only lead to larger fields, increased wagering and an elevated experience for all of our customers.”
Further details will be published shortly.
New Stride News
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, May 11
