The Fight for First
Three competitive maiden contests on the seven-race program, featuring Bakken Overdrive's bid to make amends after his DQ last time. He faces six in the Ron Deyotte Memorial Purse
LASTING LIGHT made pretty much every yard of the running to see off Harlan’s Angel last time, while Ourevelady’s head defeat to The All Button earlier this month followed a winning effort in May. Some of Bakzone’s form last year would be good enough to win this, but her previous two runs were below her usual standard. However, this race represents a drop in class and she should be respected. That also goes for Ombre Rose, who hopped out of the gate last time and was pushed along to make-up the lost ground. She may appreciate the return to the shorter distance today.
Not an easy heat to decipher with all bar McMurphy already a winner this season – and he ran well enough last time when third to Chase the Sun to suggest he may be closer today. Black Metal duelled on the lead last time but still had enough left in the tank to beat Just Make Believe and Bluegrass Angus, while Pay My Way and Bodega both have winning form that puts this prize within reach. Marginal preference goes to ARCH PRINCE who finished fast, late and full of running when second behind Slew’s Da Boss last time.
There wouldn’t be too much between Pineapple Tidbits and Heart of Texas if this claiming contest were run over 6½ furlongs, but the extra distance brings several of the others into the equation. Hereverywish has hit the board six times in nine starts at the mile-and-sixteenth, while Timeless Shrug’s two runs going ‘short’ this year should ensure she ready to go well at the distance she appears to prefer. PINEAPPLE TIDBITS ran against higher calibre opponents when going ‘long’ last season and a rallying third to Rea Mea and Pretty Aria last August may be good enough here if reproduced.
Steal Home has been a little unlucky this season, running well on several occasions without getting his head in front and he wouldn’t be winning out of turn. Baklane had Steal Home behind him when second last time, and a third over this distance last September puts him firmly in contention. Just ahead of Baklane that day was One Fifty One, who ran okay on his seasonal debut and, based on previous form, should prefer today’s distance. HE’S RELENTLESS hasn’t run often at this distance but his form, while not quite as good, is solid when he does. His rallying second to Smart Lad last month gives him a favorite’s chance.
A competitive maiden optional claimer with Stormy Blue, Remarkable Angel and Eddie Who all making their career debuts. Bakken Overdrive’s demotion to second place qualifies him as a maiden here and he will be a warm order to make his experience tell. Both Jose Jose and Rimfire were making racing debuts when behind Bakken Overdrive last time and are entitled to be closer today. DOUBLE SAW, meanwhile, makes his Hastings and seasonal debut following a 2021 Woodbine campaign that suggests a Vancouver win isn’t far away.
Drill Baby Drill has run well enough in good company to suggest a maiden win won’t be long now. QUALITY COMMAND, meanwhile, had Drill Baby Drill, Remarkable Girl, Happytomakeyourday and Lunar New Year behind her last time and that run alone can put her close here. Nothingbutsunshine and She’s On Fire are making their racing debuts and will be interesting to watch, while I Got Vision has been off since July 2020 and is facing stiffer opposition than anything encountered previously.
This represents a substantial drop in class for Saver the Kiss, who has run twice this season in more exalted company than she meets here. However, SOUTHERN LASS is a winner in all but name, having gone down by just a nose to Koala earlier this month. Classy Legacy and Sunburnt debuted against each other in May and should come on from their first outings, while the previously unraced pair, Flicker Dance and Bling It On Home, will be interesting to watch.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar and Grill Picks - Saturday
Current Standings
HISA Chief Talks to TDN
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act comes into force south of the border on July 1st and while, at present, this does not affect Canadian-based stakeholders not planning to race in the U.S., it may be as well for us to familiarize ourselves with what’s going on. In this video, HISA Chief Lisa Lazarus chats to the Thoroughbred Daily News to answer some of the most pressing aspects of the new initiative.