Settecento in 'Royal' Upset
Produced with perfect timing by Learie Seecharan, Settecento arrived late on the scene to land the George Royal at rewarding odds, on a day that saw We B Three win the Emerald Downs Stakes
HIGHLIGHTS
Rider Learie Seecharan bags Stakes with fist win of season
Trainer Dino Condilenios saddles two winners
Kimal Santo and Scott Williams both ride doubles
Four of the day’s winners bred in B.C.
The handle was $484,659.
A warm and sunny day gave notice that summer proper is almost here, as a good-sized crowd came out to enjoy the Belmont Day festivities. The track remained fast, with front-end speed favoured in all but Settecento’s George Royal Stakes victory
Race 1.
The first on Saturday saw Georges and Terry Georgeopoulos’ FORT LANGLEY ($7.80) take advantage of a pace-less race, as Scott Williams secured the rail and the lead through slow splits (23.36, 47.10) before drawing away late to win easily in 1:17.04 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Gabrielle Mathussek’s PADDY D'ORO had a great trip sitting close to the pace under Brian Boodramsingh, but had to settle for second for trainer Carl Lausten. Rob and Sheena Maybin's VALUE MAX was far back through the early stages and closed up smartly on the rail to claim third spot.
Race 2.
The second of the day went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BECKETT’S BEST ($5.30), who broke well under Kimal Santo and chose to settle in the second spot early, then edged by the speed and had enough left to hold his margin to the wire for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Star Lot Stables DON W altered his running style and came from a bit off the pace and was closing quickly under Antonio Reyes for conditioner Terry Jordan. Stewart Spencer's ASKMENOQUESTIONS sprinted off to the lead through quick fractions in his first start of the season (21.91, 45.63) and got a little tired late, ending up third.
Claims:
BECKETT’S BEST was claimed by owners Dreamtime Stable for trainer Greg Beneen
Race 3
The third on the program was an impressive wire-to-wire performance from WYN Stables’ DYNAMITER ($15.40) who drew clear early under Kimal Santo, then slowed down the tempo and let the field come to him before drawing off again to an easy and impressive score in 1:44.63 for trainer Larry Grieve. Michelle Roberts-Henson, Brad Henson, Randy Henson, Dan Henson and Trevor Irwin's BARNEY GOOGLE showed his usual late interest and rallied up the inside to get the runner-up spot. Willow Creek Farm and Fabio Chiesa's FRANKIE MACHINE had a bit of a tough trip but did well to rescue third money under Scott Williams for trainer Steve Henson.
Race 4.
The fourth race was the $50,000 Emerald Downs stakes for older fillies and mares and getting the victory was Willow Creek Farms WE B THREE ($8.60), who was shipped off to the front by Amadeo Perez and she never looked back, winning in a sharp 1:15.67 for trainer Steve Henson. J G Williamson Racing MISS UNION was put in a great striking position by Scott Williams and stayed on gamely to hold the second spot for Steve Henson. Russ and Lois Bennett's VIVA LA VINO was stationed in behind the pace on the rail under Chris Mamdeen and checked in third.
Race 5.
The fifth of the day was the $50,000 George Royal stakes for older Colts and geldings and, in a big surprise, Hastings Horsepower and Motley Crew's SETTECENTO ($36.60) looped the field in impressive fashion under Learie Seecharan. The recent $12,500 claim was always travelling well and caught the leaders at the top of the stretch, then pressed on to get the victory in a fast 1:15.97 for trainer Dave Milburn. ReinDance Farm's BAKKEN OVERDRIVE battled on a contested pace (22.21, 45.36) with Kerron Khelawan up and led to the stretch, before being reeled in late, in a big run for trainer Cindy Krasner. Century Plaza Stables STORMY BLUE was away best but could not get to the fence and sat the trip in the two path under Chris Mamdeen before getting a little weary late and ending up a close third.
Race 6
The last of the day saw Jordan Froelich and Dino Condilenios MORETHANSOULTITLE ($12.90) run second in a good effort under Scott Williams and then get moved up via disqualification to get the ‘win’ for conditioner Dino Condilenios. Stan Sharma's VALUABLE COWBOY was easily best, but made a miscue on the far turn and was disqualified after leading throughout. Sasquatch Stables RING OF KERRY ran a much improved race, coming from just off the pace under Silvino Morales and finishing third before being promoted to second for conditioner Greg Beneen. John Snow, Darryl and Kristy Hammond’s JUVEE TOO also turned in a much better effort and was flying late with Bebeto Harvey up, ending up third after the ‘DQ’.
Around the Region
Saturday will go down as a banner day for HBPA President David Milburn who, a few minutes before saddling SETTECENTO to land the big race at Hastings, watched his Washington-bred four-year-old gelding PETER FLIES win a six-furlong Emerald Downs’ Allowance contest by two lengths. The son of Private Gold, who was claimed by Peter Milburn out of Golden Gate in February, stopped the clock in a lickety-split 1:08.00 for jockey Alex Cruz and trainer Charlie Essex.
There was also local success in Alberta this weekend, with the Hastings’ handler Rob VanOverschot saddling NORTHERN FORCE to win a Maiden Special Weight at Century Mile on Saturday for JDP Holdings Ltd. The three-year-old son of leading BC-based stallion Counterforce was bred in BC by Paul Caravetta and is out of the winning Rosberg mare, Northern Storm, herself a daughter of the multiple Hastings’ Stakes winner, Wind Storm (He’s Tops).
Belmont Stakes Replay
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday June 9
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