Three-Timer for Khelawan
Three-Timer for Khelawan
'KK' drove home a treble on Friday night that included a winning reappearance for the sizzling Bold Arch, who grazed the course record with an outstanding gate-to-wire display
HIGHLIGHTS
Kerron Khelawan boots home a treble
Brian Boodramsingh rides a double
Five of the seven races went to BC-bred runners
The handle was a huge $703,133
The warmest evening of the year brought out a good-sized crowd of Friday night revellers. The track remained fast throughout seven races, with five contests going to horses on the front-end throughout
Race 1.
The first race on a gorgeous Friday evening saw Canyon Farm's MR MORRIS ($3.70) do everything right and cruise home the easiest of winners under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Craig MacPherson. He refused to leave the gate in his first start so an abundance of gate schooling was required and, with the blinkers being removed, he left the gate reasonably well and showed his class, winning in 1:17.26. Forster Stable's ON MY GOOD SIDE saved every inch of ground with Silvino Morales aboard and got up to be second for trainer Dave Forster. Shamrock Racing Stables NU SOUP FOR BABY showed excellent speed in his return to the races under Kuri Powell, blitzing the opening quarter-mile in 22.45 then relaxed to the half-mile junction in 46.36 before staying on gamely and just missing second.
Race 2.
The second of the night went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds STAY FANTASTIC ($4.40), who took advantage of his inside gate to drive straight to the lead with Amadeo Perez at the helm, setting solid splits of 23.53, 46.89 and 1:12.13. He had lots in reserve to win comfortably for trainer Edgar Mendoza. J G Williamson Racing’s STAR ENTRY settled on the rail behind the winner with Kerron Khelawan up and they followed that one throughout and finished a clear runner-up for trainer Steve Henson. Fred and Sheldon Kwan's PARKER POINT was very wide through the opening quarter-mile, before taking back and saving ground heading into the stretch for the first time under Silvino Morales and they stayed on the fence and rallied to be third.
Race 3.
The third on the program was won by Rob and Sheena Maybin's AVE'S IN COMMAND ($10.30), who broke sharply under Chris Mamdeen, getting the lead on the rail through contested fractions of 22.47 and 45.57 before opening up turning for home and easily holding for the victory in an impressive 1:17.00 for trainer Rob Maybin. Lorie Henson, Helen Klimes and Sharon Pring's QUAGMIRE was his usual game self, despite getting shuffled back early under Amadeo Perez, and they rode the rail, checking-in a good second. Michelle Roberts-Henson and Mark McGinnis’ RACING RIVER was farther back than usual under Ridge Balgobin, spotting the field eight or nine lengths early, then started to creep up on the final turn but had too much to do and could only manage third for conditioner Rob Henson.
Race 4.
The fourth race saw the field reduced to six after the gate scratch of the # 3 NOZOMI and taking home top honours was Gord Christoff’s EYES OF BEAUTY ($11.40), who was hustled out of her outside gate by Kerron Khelawan to surprisingly get a clear lead through moderate splits (23.10, 47.37) before sprinting away from the field to win well in 1:17.94 for trainer Robbie Anderson. Jordan Froelich, Georges and Eleutherios Georgeopoulos’ DUKE GIRLS made an impressive debut at Hastings after campaigning in Phoenix earlier this year, checking in a clear second under Silvino Morales for trainer Dino Condilenios. Forster Stable and Blue Willow Dairy’s FOREVER SUMMER looked very good in her first start of the season as she closed up strongly late to be third under Antonio Reyes for trainer Dave Forster.
Race 5.
The fifth race of the night went to Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s DUXONTHEPOND ($5.10) who settled behind the speed under Brian Boodramsingh, then tipped out three-wide on the backside and ran into a good score in 1:17.18 for trainer Steve Henson. Peter Redekop's MERRY BLUE was also nestled in behind the pace and closed-up nicely to be second under Amadeo Perez for trainer Barbara Heads. White Hall Farms PETERSON LANDING was content to sit far back early under Kimal Santo then cruised up the rail on the final turn to be third for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Race 6.
The sixth race of the evening went to Robin Sadler, John and Kim Morrison's BOLD ARCH ($5.20) who was brilliant in his return to the races under Kerron Khelawan as they breezed through splits of 22.22 and 45.09, then left the field quickly behind, heading for home and winning with plenty in reserve in 1:15.36 for trainer John Morrison. Hastings Racing Club and Mainline Stable's FINDING WAYS was very good again, as he relaxed just off the pace with Silvino Morales at the controls and turned in a solid late run, which unfortunately was only good enough to be second for trainer Nancy Betts. Canyon Farm’s PURSUE was far back early and put in a sustained move over the final quarter-mile to be third.
Race 7.
The seventh race was won Sasquatch Stables, Green Beneen and Heather Clark’s BROOKYS TAPIT ($29.20), who sat much of the trip in the three-path clear of trouble under Brian Boodramsingh, made the lead on the stretch turn and just held to the wire in 1:45.60 for trainer Greg Beneen. WYN Racing Stables SOMTHING ELUSIVE was away well and took a good position on the rail under Kimal Santo but was stymied in behind tiring speed at the far turn. He shook loose approaching the top of the lane and just missed in an unlucky effort for trainer Larry Grieve. Willow Creek Farm's MY COLLEGE FUND was content to be in midpack on the outside with Silvino Morales in the irons and they got rolling in the closing stages, finishing third, beaten in a photo, for Steve Henson.
Claims:
TEXAS MOONSHINE was claimed by owners Cody Wellard, Kelsi Wellard and Peter Gregory for trainer Peter Gregory
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, June 8
Hastings Racing Club
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