Sunblaze Warms the Heart
In a fitting tribute, Sunblaze became the latest winner produced by the "RJ" and Lois Bennett nursery and looks to be yet another smart one to carry the green and white silks
HIGHLIGHTS
Amadeo Perez had a riding double
The Super Hi-5 carryover is just over $12,000
The handle was $433,599
Four of the night’s six races went to horses bred in B.C.
A perfect evening for horse racing with the day’s high temperatures relenting just enough to allow for shirtsleeve order even as it darkened. The track was understandably fast and fair all night
Race 1.
The Friday opener went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds ASKMENOQUESTIONS ($5.70), who took full advantage of an easy uncontested lead (22.83, 46.10) under Amadeo Perez and was never seriously threatened, coming home the easiest of winners in 1:17.11 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Star Lot Stable’s DON W was in a perfect stalking position with Antonio Reyes up and they chased the winner but couldn’t gain ground and finished a good second. Jordan Froelich and Dino Condilenios’ BETTER TONE turned in a sharp effort in his 2024 debut, racing three-wide through the final three-eighths of a mile and just missed the runner-up spot, ending up a promising third for conditioner Dino Condilenios.
Race 2.
The second of the evening saw Rob and Sheena Maybin's ARIKARA ($3.00) settle nicely on the outside with Ridge Balgobin in the irons, then sprinted to a three-length margin on the final bend and easily found the line first in 1:17.24 for trainer Rob Maybin. Gary Johnson's ALOBRAH was patiently ridden by Chris Mamdeen and closed-up smartly in the lane to snare second for trainer Frank Barroby. BFA Holdings’ INDYETTA ran a much improved race under Amadeo Perez, checking in third after a bit of a wide journey for trainer Cindy Krasner.
Race 3.
The third race of the evening was won by Joe and Gloria Russo's GO LENT GO ($23.60), who was in a great spot throughout under Kerron Khelawan, tracking a fast pace (23.11, 48.11, 1:13.74) before taking dead aim at the far turn and outrunning everyone to the finish in 1:46.01 for trainer Patty Leaney. Swift Thoroughbreds’ HORATIO was also in a good position early with Silvino Morales at the controls and they loomed-up three-deep on the stretch turn but couldn’t catch the winner and ended up a very good second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Larry and Margaret Getson and Rocking Bar B Outfit’s MAX BOOSTER saved ground the entire trip under Chris Mamdeen and closed up nicely to be third for trainer Frank Barroby.
Race 4.
The fourth of the night fittingly, after the passing of local racing legend Russ Bennett at the age of 94, went to Russ and Lois Bennett's SUNBLAZE ($4.10), who made a bold, late move and split fillies at the sixteenth pole to gain command under Antonio Reyes and win going away in 1:17.97 for trainer Barbara Heads. Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis SAILINGFORTHESTARS showed excellent gate speed and struck the front through splits of 22.68 and a sensible half-mile of 46.07 under Silvino Morales before running-on gamely to just miss and finish second for trainer Pat Jarvis. Richard Hunter's WEEKENDINDELMAR missed the break, which cost her valuable position, and could only manage third in an unlucky run for trainer Edgar Mendoza.
Race 5.
The fifth of the day was won by Ed Claggett’s LUCKY FORCE ($4.60), who was far back early trailing the field under Amadeo Perez, before being summoned midway on the backside and coming with a sustained run to nail his stablemate in late-stretch to win in a brilliant 1:43.10 for trainer Craig MacPherson. Don Tetaranko's JUST JIMMY turned in a huge performance, chasing fast fractions under Kerron Khelawan (23.21, 46.51, 1:10.76), then started to inch away but was caught late, giving MacPherson the Exactor. Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Ross Switzer and Barry Hickman's PAY MY WAY was also far behind the blazing tempo and found his best stride late to get to be third under Kimal Santo for trainer Charlene Miller.
Race 6.
The sixth and final dash went to Pat Jarvis, Dan Lee, Nigel Reid and Roberta Staley’s WIRLY GIRLY ($18.90), who turned in a powerhouse performance, stalking the speed (22.55, 46.19) then cruising by the top pair at the far turn under Bebeto Harvey and drawing clear to a big score in 1:17.06 for trainer Pat Jarvis. Willow Creek Farm's MINI MARKET was nestled on the rail behind the speed by Amadeo Perez, then shook loose late to just get up to be second for trainer Steve Henson. Swift Thoroughbreds LICORICE battled on the lead under Scott Williams and was passed by the winner at the far turn, but dug-in gamely to be third for trainer Dino Condilenios.
New Stride News
Join the Hastings Posse at This Year’s Canadian Derby!
WYN Racing’s Chris Ceraldi has secured a private track-side cabana for this year’s Canadian Derby at Century Mile on August 24 and is opening the guest list!
Number are limited, so if you fancy an entertaining afternoon at the 95th running of the prestigious Canadian Derby, won last year by the Hastings’ team of Peter Redekop, Barabara Anderson-Heads and Amadeo Perez with ABELIEFINTHISLIVIN, and with WYN Racing’s ACCIDENTAL HERO a brave third, please reach out to Chris to reserve your spot.
Tickets are priced at $200 per person and the package includes:
A fabulous view open view of the track from you private area along the rail
Shaded seating
Private Bar
Hard flooring
VIP Buffet Dinner
Complimentary racing program
Free $5 Slot Play - After the races with your wristband!
Chris can be reached via email: chris@aarc-west.com