Sunday Stakes Action
More exciting Stakes action at Hastings on Sunday with the Chris Loseth Handicap and the Supernaturel Stakes for fillies attracting high-quality fields
AYELLOWROSEOFTEXAS makes her debut at Hastings following a run at Golden Gate in January and, last season, two efforts at Del Mar. She will be a warm order to break her maiden here following several eye-catching morning workouts. Miss the Hype failed by just a nose to win last time and returns to 6½ furlongs. Bought out of the Glen Todd dispersal sale, Kleopatra is still inexperienced and should improve on her only run this season (behind Miss the Hype). Chabi was fifth in Kloepatra’s race last time and is another who should improve a little on that first run of the season. Okanagan Gold has not run before and will be interesting to watch.
Both Groovy Girl and PRETTY ARIA ran acceptably at Stakes level last season without success and this heat represents a less challenging opportunity for both. Groovy Girl gave way only late when fourth last time in a race better than this, while Pretty Aria showed real tenacity, forcing the issue and fighting all the way to the wire before losing narrowly to Hollywood Mistress, with Irish Luna behind. Walkinthewalk comes here on the back of a good win last time and has been very consistent this season. Do You Wanna Go returns to this level after an earlier fourth-place finish behind Sunbright in May and that run brings her into contention here.
Klondike Gentleman has run consistently well so far this year and wouldn’t be winning out of turn. Racing River has winning form from last season that would make this contest a formality if he were to recapture it, although he will need to improve on his two previous efforts this term. RING OF KERRY tried to make every yard of the running last time and only gave way late, while Tiz Meow was second on his two previous runs and a repeat of either of those performances could see him go close again today.
KHAIKY’S COMMAND moves down a rung on the class ladder to face a group of fellow veterans and a repeat of either of his two previous runs this season should see him go close. Efrain Hernandez teams up with the ultra-consistent Sword Fighter for the first time and they can make their presence felt, while European’s ½-length second to Dakati last time puts him in the shake-up. Sir Barclay is another whose consistency may soon be rewarded, while The Chances R had Sword Fighter behind him two starts ago.
Some of the smartest 3yo fillies on the premises do battle here and it will be fascinating to see how they cope with their first runs over a mile-and-sixteenth. SHAMRA came from a very long way back to catch and pass U Did It last time while Marys Tappin Shoes was third that day and should again be in the mix. This represents Belcarra Park’s most difficult challenge to date despite her two wins already this season and, although Silk Stilettos lost her maiden tag with the minimum of fuss last time, this represents an altogether different proposition.
GUNFIGHTER was caught napping towards the rear on his Hastings debut. However, he ran on with real purpose to be closest at the finish behind Regal Riot and Soaringforthesun and all three should again play a major role, this time over the mile-and-sixteenth course. Vancouver’s Hunter was also running on that day, finishing fourth, and may be closer today. Country Cowboy had Better Tone behind him last time but both are stepping up in grade here.
All of these met in June over 6½ furlongs, with Harlan’s Angel finishing second and Richards Command just behind in third. RICHARDS COMMAND finishes most of her races with a late flourish and it will be interesting to see if that translates to the mile-and-sixteenth she takes on here for the first time. If it does, she may have the measure of the others on her first run since being claimed by current connections. Anima, Take Charge Gwen and Harlan’s Angel are regular visitors to the winner’s circle and all will play their part here, while Zetamarie has won once going ‘long,’ albeit some time ago. Makin It Up was seventh in the same race as the others but wasn’t beaten far that day.
2021 Hastings Thoroughbred Awards Winners
