Still Fantastic!
Stay Fantastic landed his third win of the season to complete a treble for in-form trainer Edgar Mendoza on an afternoon where dramatic finishes were the order of the day
HIGHLIGHTS:
Trainer Edgar Mendoza had three training wins
Silvino Morales had two visits to the winners circle
The Pick 5 was not hit and has a carryover of $7,811
The handle was $388,912
Six of the day’s seven races were won by horses bred in BC
Another gorgeous summer’s day at Hastings, with a good-sized crowd treated to a pulsating afternoon of racing to match the powerful Corvettes parked on the apron. The track was fast and fair with five of the seven races won by a half-length or less.
Race 1.
The first race on the Sunday program went to Willow Creek Farm's SELF SERVING ($8.90) who was miles back early then came with a furious rush on the inside to win by a nose in 1:17.45 under Antonio Reyes for trainer Steve Henson. The Hawaiian Shirt Guys EARS TO US sped quickly from the gate, setting serious fractions of 22.23 and 45.24, and built up what seemed to be an insurmountable lead before drifting out while tiring in the stretch and getting nailed on the line. Joey Turcotte's EH TEE EM made a big run from last to get into the third spot.
Race 2.
The second race was won by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ KAY’S KITCHEN ($7.70), who took full advantage of the small field and grabbed the lead early under Silvino Morales, cruising through easy splits of 24.86, 48.96 and 1:14.66. She had enough left in reserve to win in 1:46.17 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Gary Johnson, Pumpkin and Sharlea Stable's ZETAMARIE was in good position under Fraser Aebly, engaged the winner at the far turn, but couldn’t get by.
Claims:
IRISH LUNA was claimed by Owners Rob & Sheen Maybin for trainer
Rob Maybin
Race 3.
The third of the afternoon saw G.O. Stables TEXAS HUMOR ($14.50) take home top honours under Silvino Morales. The Erick Gutierrez pupil was content to watch a speed duel early then breezed up on the backside to get in contention and out-gamed her rivals to narrowly win in 1:18.90. Willow Creek Farm's NINE OCLOCK CEASAR was off a step slow then rushed up to join a quick opening quarter (22.23) before the pace slackened to 47.14. She then took the lead on the final bend but couldn’t hold off the winner. WYN Racing Stables’ TAM TRICKY opted to settle off the pace today, trying a new strategy, and she ran well in the lane to be third.
Race 4.
The fourth of the day was won by Marty Miller's KIKI'S SUNDANCER ($11.20), who showed the best speed away from the gate and set leisurely splits of 22.47 and 46.69 under Kimal Santo and was never challenged, winning in 1:19.75 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Jean Lavallee's DAPPER DON was far back early and came with a sharp move in the final quarter-mile to gain the second spot under Jose Gomez. Willow Creek Farm's TEXAS MOONSHINE raced wide through much of the trip and did well to be third.
Race 5.
The fifth race on the card went to Randy Lane and Roy Nelson's ISLAND LIVING ($37.00) who was given a textbook ride by Fraser Aebly, nestling in behind the speed on the rail, then angled out in the stretch to cause the upset and win in 1:18.81 for trainer Keith Pedersen. John and Katherine Anderson's PENALTY TO RANGERS set all the fractions (22.73, 46.51), started to sneak away on the final turn but just got nailed on the last jump. The Keith Pedersen Exactor paid a whopping $169.60 for a $2 bet. Willow Creek Farm's PERFECT PENNY didn’t get the best of trips, being hung out wide on both turns, but fought on gamely to be a close third.
Claims:
PENALTY TO RANGERS was claimed by owners G.O.Stables for trainer Erick Gutierrez
Race 6.
The sixth was won by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ STAY FANTASTIC ($5.60), who sat far off of a torrid pace duel, pounced on the weary leaders on the final turn and just held for the victory under Amadeo Perez in 1:44.87 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Barry Hickman and Lesley Small's WISELY PLAYED was also miles back off of the quick pace and came running boldly in the stretch with Kimal Santo up but just missed in a tight photo. Century Plaza Stables' STORMY BLUE was sent through crazy splits of 22.71, 45.89 and 1:11.11 and showed amazing courage to still be battling for the win but faded late to be third.
Race 7.
The last of the day saw Lance Giesbrecht and Gord Christoff’s ERLICH ($10.80) settle in behind the speed and split horses late under Kerron Khelawan to get up to win in deep stretch in 1:46.08 for trainer Rob Anderson. Canoe Pass Stable and Craig MacPherson's LOGICAL AL was given every shot under Amadeo Perez, tracking a slow pace (23.92, 48.67 and 1:14.39), galloped to the lead on the stretch turn but he had to settle for runner-up spot. Kent Bird and Dino Condilenios’ BETTER TONE made a wide rally against the slow pace which was impressive and ended up third.
BC Cup Day — Monday, August 7
Breakfast with the Horses
Huge thanks to everyone who so generously gave their time and shared their knowledge on Sunday morning at the second “Breakfast with the Horses” event. A very special shout out to riders Antonio Reyes, Kerron Khelawan and Fraser Aebly who took time out of their busy mornings to pop over and say hello to the fans. There were a few more in attendance than the first event held last month and some new faces, as well. Finally, huge thanks to Mike Heads, who overcame a less than perfect location to enthrall those assembled with his skills on the microphone.
Racing at Hastings resumes next Friday, August 4th with an evening program that begins at 7:00 p.m.
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