Sunday Sensation
Sunday Sensation
Seven competitive races slated for Hastings and Longacres Mile Day at Emerald Downs points to a sensational Sunday of racing in the Pacific Northwest
Hastings Runners and Riders for Sunday, August 14
BAKALLEY has run well enough in both his career starts to suggest he has good opportunity here in what is a competitive opener. The unraced Viva la Vino is a full-sister to Century Mile Oaks winner Sangria, has been working solidly in the mornings and comes from an in-form barn that warrants respect. Heads’ other runner Dynamiter drops back in distance after an unsuccessful foray over 8½ furlongs and may be more of a threat this time, while Bakken Overdrive has been a little erratic since his disqualified ‘win’ back in June.
A win for Bakalley in the opener would be a boost for Double Saw, who finished ahead of him when they met last month in a similar contest. There was no fluke about STORMY BLUE’s long-odds second to Ayellowroseoftexas last time and a repetition of that would give him every chance here. Wisely Played and Greytogo seem closely matched, although the latter put in arguably the best performance of his career to date when stepped up to the 8½-furlongs he faces again today. Abrierwin makes his Hastings debut after switching from Emerald Downs and should not be ignored.
We’re in ‘throw a dart’ territory here in what is a wide-open contest. Five-year-old Ave’s in Command is the baby among this collection of experienced street fighters and the last time he attempted 8½ furlongs, he won by five lengths. The 11-year-old Ace Deuce also has no stamina concerns, having won eight times over the trip during his lengthy career, while Mustachio’s win last month was boosted again by runner-up JACK’S REIGN’s convincing win next time. The 10-year-old Aditya has 15 career wins but only one at this distance, while Master Ewen chased home Wise Market and Ace Deuce over 8½ furlongs back in June.
DR BENNY is the obvious choice here after being dropped into a race several rungs below the level he’s already won at this season. Trapalis, meanwhile, was an eight-length winner over this distance two starts ago when running for $8k and then a close-up third next time when dropped a little in class. Guns N Ammo is another who has been flirting with classier companions and was a long way clear of the third when running second to Jacobs Call last time. Don With the Wind’s narrow second last time also earns him a spot on the shortlist.
MISS THE HYPE has hit the board in all six of her starts this season and returns to the same level and distance as her last solid effort when second to Sloop John B — with today’s rival Y Vee R back in fifth. Sharpzan makes his first appearance for new connections after being claimed following a solid second-place finish last time, although this may represent a tougher challenge. Royal Air Force ran well enough last time behind A P Pharoah and can be a threat if the distance suits.
Arch Prince, My College Fund and Pay My Way all take a drop in class here and it’s not easy to separate them. Arch Prince beat the useful Black Metal two starts ago with Pay My Way in third, while MY COLLEGE FUND may be back at a suitable level after rising through the ranks impressively over the past 12 months. Ourevelady, Baby Grand and Frankie Machine are all looking to follow up on victories at this class and distance last time, while Mr Quality’s ½-length third to Coulterberry two starts ago puts him in the mix.
LUCKY LUKE takes some class relief here after a narrow victory in marginally tougher company last time and a repetition of that run makes him a leading candidate. The persistent You Don’t Own Me, meanwhile, has missed the board just once in eight starts this season and went down by only a length to Appellant last time. Finally, Reprimand lost out by a nodding head to Airaffair last time and he can make his presence felt again in the ‘get-out stakes’.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks
Click the Blue Button for Saturday’s Runners and Riders
Longacres Mile Day Puts Todd in Hastings’ Thoughts
Glen Todd will be very much in our thoughts again this weekend, with two of his former stable stars in action at Emerald Downs on Longacres Mile day.
Former BC Derby Winner Five Star General makes a third bid for the $150,000 Longacres Mile. ‘The General’ finished second to Peter Redekop’s Anothertwistafate in 2019 and then, last year, was a brave third to Background – morning line favourite for Sunday’s feature. Five Star General is trained by Doris Harwood and will be ridden by Leslie Mawing. Both have previously won the Mile.
Princess of Cairo, who landed the 2020 Washington Oaks and the Emerald Distaff last season for Todd’s North American Thoroughbred Horse Company and Mark DeDomenico, looks to repeat in the $75k Emerald Distaff. DeDomenico is now sole owner and the morning line favourite is trained by Michael Puhich. Geovanni Franco has the reigns.
