The Bold and the Brave
The Bold and the Brave
Hastings' speed merchant Bold Arch had the radar guns flashing again on Saturday, while the talented Bunny also made every yard to take the day's feature allowance contest in fine style
HIGHLIGHTS
Owner Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds had two victories
Trainer Edgar Mendoza had a training double
Kerron Khelawan and Antonio Reyes both had riding doubles.
Four of the seven races went to BC-breds
The handle was $590,327
Another wonderful summer’s afternoon at Hastings with a slight breeze to protect people and horses from the worst of the heat. The track was fast all afternoon, with all bar one of the seven races going to horses on, or near, the pace.
Race 1.
The first on Saturday saw Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ FOOTHILLS BLVD ($7.90) stay clear of trouble under Antonio Reyes, watching a speed duel unfold, then, when the leaders were exhausted, she inched up to get the victory in 1:17.84 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. RKR Racing's AMERICAN TSUNAMI was sent on a mission to get the lead by Kerron Khelawan through demanding splits of 21.53 and 44.73, and ended up winning the pace battle but losing the lead late in a game performance for trainer Nancy Betts. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAKBURNER was embroiled in a front-end duel under Amadeo Perez and fought valiantly but tired late to be third.
Race 2.
The second race also went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’, this time in the shape of EDDIE'S GIRL ($5.40), who was ridden quickly from the gate to get the lead by Kimal Santo, who secured the fence through sensible fractions (22.65, 46.11) and had tons left in reserve as she drove clear to big win in 1:16.77 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Jordan Froelich, Georges and Eleutherios Georgeopoulos DUKE GIRLS was positioned just in behind the slow pace with Silvino Morales aboard and just got up in deep stretch to gain the runner-up spot for conditioner Dino Condilenios. Willow Creek Farm's SHE'S KIND OF HOT was in a good spot on the outside of the winner under Antonio Reyes and checked in third for trainer Steve Henson.
Race 3.
The third race on the program was won by Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s NEIGHBOR ($8.40), who was the beneficiary of a very easy lead (25.54, 49.26 and 1:13.77) under Antonio Reyes. They never gave their opponents a chance and sprinted home in the stretch to win, geared down, in 1:44.56 for trainer Steve Henson. Barry Doud's BUZZINGA KARMA was off a step slow under Brian Boodramsingh, which resulted in him being forced to run three-wide to be near the slow pace and he did well to stay-on to claim second for conditioner Carl Lausten. Gord Christoff’s GUNFIGHTER was wrestled back to trail early behind the very slow tempo under Kerron Khelawan and did remarkably well to put in a sustained run to be a third for trainer Rob Anderson.
Race 4.
The fourth on the Saturday card went to Swift Thoroughbreds’ BUNNY ($8.60), who was able to secure the rail and front end with ease under Scott Williams who, guiding her through splits of 23.14 and 46.18, then easily galloped away from her rivals to win in a quick 1:16.03 for trainer Dino Condilenios. The Estate of Russ Bennett and Lois Bennett's SOLARITY ran her usual solid race, checking in second despite being trapped three wide the entire race under Antonio Reyes for trainer Barbara Heads. Blue Willow Dairy’s DAPHNE was relaxed early and chose to sit off of the speed, which changed the dynamics of the race and stayed-on gamely to be a good third for trainer Dave Forster.
Race 5.
The fifth of the day saw TC Racing's STANFORD BAY ($5.60) lead from gate to wire under Kerron Khelawan, as they ran hooked through easy fractions (22.73, 46.62), before proving best when it counted and hitting the line in a swift 1:16.72 for trainer Rob Gilker. Michelle Roberts-Henson and Mark McGinnis RACING RIVER turned in another top effort, racing on the slow pace with Ridge Balgobin up, and had to settle for second for trainer Rob Henson. Stewart Spencer's KNOPFLER was given every chance by Silvino Morales who saved every inch of ground on teh inside but the fractions were too soft and he could only manage to nail down the third spot for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Claims:
KNOPFLER was claimed by owners Sasquatch Stables for trainer Greg Beneen
Race 6.
The sixth of the afternoon was won by as expected by Robin Sadler, John and Kim Morrison's BOLD ARCH ($3.00) who cruised through blazing splits of 21.88 and 44.43 and didn't seem to take a deep breath as he approached wire, winning well clear under Kerron Khelawan in 1:15.47 for trainer John Morrison. Don Danard and Mel Snow's CASCADE BILLY ran a huge race off the big layoff for trainer Mel Snow, chasing the winner and easily holding second under Brian Boodramsingh. George Gilbert's SMART LAD was far back early and rallied late to get up for third for trainer Barbara Heads.
Race 7.
The seventh of the day went to Rob and Sheena Maybin's BAK TO LIBERTY ($12.40), who stuck out in the three path for most of the race under Ridge Balgobin, but still managed to persevere and grind out a victory in 1:45.02 for trainer Rob Maybin. Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's SLOOP JOHN B set all the fractions (23.61, 47.50 and 1:12.84) under Learie Seecharan and they battled gamely the entire mile and a sixteenth, just missing in a tough-luck loss to be second for trainer Dave Milburn. J G Williamson Racing’s TIME TICKER was far back through the early stages and got rolling too late but was able to rescue third money under Antonio Reyes for trainer Steve Henson.
Bloodhorse Daily Headliness — Sunday, July 14
Racing at Hastings Resumes Next Saturday, July 20, with Cup Day!
