Ten-up for Henson
Fast-starting trainer Steve Henson saddled another double at Hastings on a wet and blustery Friday evening to move onto ten wins for the new season
HIGHLIGHTS
The track was extremely fast which led to abnormally sizzling times throughout the evening
Leading trainer Steve Henson padded his lead atop the standings with two wins
Four of the evening’s six winners were bred in British Columbia
The handle was $415,562
Loyal racefans who braved a spiteful spring evening were rewarded with some pulsating finishes on Friday. The track was ‘wet fast’ all night, with all bar one of the six contests going the way of horses in the first two throughout
Race 1.
THE opener on Friday night saw an exciting two-horse battle from gate-to-wire and, narrowly proving best in 1:18.64, was Willow Creek Farm's MINI MARKET ($29.60) with Scott Williams in the irons for conditioner Steve Henson. The daughter of Mass Market had to survive a stewards inquiry but the numbers were left to stand and she earned her first career victory in an impressive run. Don Muldoon and Dave Milburn's DIPLOMATIC set all the fractions (23.21, 47.04) under Amadeo Perez and led to the stretch and was bumped repeatedly in the lane but stewards felt both horses were to blame and no change was made. Don Danard and Mel E Z TONIGHT ran a much improved race win the addition of blinkers under Brian Boodramsingh and checked in a fast-closing third.
Race 2.
THE second of the evening went to Dave Milburn's BUTTONWOOD TREE ($6.60), who turned in a monster performance on the class drop to win easily in a brilliant 1:43.62 under Kuri Powell for trainer Dave Milburn. The Northern California newcomer made all the fractions, which were quick (23.38, 47.56, 1:11.89), and cruised home a clear winner. WYN Racing Stables’ SOMETHING ELUSIVE was given a perfect ride by Kimal Santo but was simply second best tonight. J G Williamson Racing’s GOOD BYE PUTIN raced wide the last half-mile under Antonio Reyes and ended up well back in third for trainer Steve Henson.
Race 3.
THE third race on the program went to the Hastings Racing Club and Mainline Stable's FINDING WAYS ($4.50) who was beautifully rated by Kerron Khelawan, content to be in the second spot early before sprinting home late to win in a rapid 1:16.05 for trainer Nancy Betts. Jordan Froelich's CEREBRO was able to get clear and set the pace, which was a lively one under Silvino Morales (22.08, 45.17) and stayed on gamely to be the runner-up for trainer Dino Condilenios. Pat Jarvis , R and L Stables and Nigel Reid’s SHARPZAN ran huge in his return to the races, battling determinedly under Antonio Reyes to get up and earn the third spot late for trainer Pat Jarvis.
Race 4.
THE fourth race on the card was won by Lorie Henson, Helen Klimes and Sharon Pring's QUAGMIRE ($2.60), who set a contested pace (22.28, 44.94) in the scratch-reduced field of three and cruised home a narrow but confident winner under Amadeo Perez in 1:15.80 (yes 1:15.80) for conditioner Steve Henson. Rob and Sheena Maybin's EYE BE SEEING YOU gave everything he had in his first start since last fall and just missed in a courageous effort under Chris Mamdeen for trainer Rob Maybin. Joe and Gloria Russo's COUNTRY COWBOY was sent on a mission early, chasing a lively pace, and tired to be third for trainer Patty Leaney.
Race 5.
THE fifth of the night saw Stewart Spencer's KNOPFLER ($3.60) sit a nice trip in behind the speed with Silvino Morales at the controls and they tipped out three wide entering the lane to get up in deep stretch in 1:17.31 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Gabrielle Mathussek’s PADDY D'ORO was game in defeat in his first run of the young season under Brian Boodramsingh, chasing a sensible pace (22.98, 46.26) before making the front in the lane and just getting reeled-in late, settling for second for veteran conditioner Carl Lausten. Rob and Sheena Maybin's VALUE MAX also turned in a big effort in his first start of the year under Chris Mamdeen, finishing a good third for trainer Rob Maybin.
Race 6.
THE last of the night went to Canyon Farm's BACK SHACK ($3.90), who was away from the gate far better tonight under Ridge Balgobin. The pair set a sensible pace of 22.75 and 45.79 but had to battle tenaciously through lane to preserve the win by the slimmest of margins for trainer Craig MacPherson in 1:16.25. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAK TO LIBERTY was put in perfect striking position by Amadeo Perez, closely tracking BACK SHACK before engaging at the top of stretch and just missing by the bob of the nose for trainer Edgar Mendoza. G. O. Stables and Alexa Ramirez's GROOVIN IS BAK took the blinkers off today and settled in behind the pace and closed with good interest to gain third money.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, May 25
Racing at Hastings continues Saturday May 25 at 2.30pm
 |
|