Three's a Charm for Heads and Perez
Hat-tricks for trainer Barbara Heads and rider Amadeo Perez among the highlights on a pulsating day of racing action that included the season's first juvenile contest
HIGHLIGHTS
Trainer Barbara Heads had three wins on the day
Trainer Steve Henson continued his hot streak with two victories
Amadeo Perez enjoyed three visits to the winners circle
Antonio Reyes booted home two winners
The handle came in at $426,703
Five of the days seven winners were bred here in B.C.
A warm and humid afternoon, under mostly grey clouds and even the occasional short, sharp shower. The track was fair and fast throughout.
Race 1.
The first on the Saturday card went to Peter Redekop's MERRY BLUE ($3.10) who was prominent early under Amadeo Perez and relaxed beautifully before sneaking through on the inside during the backstretch run and cruising to a nice victory in a good 1:45.45 for trainer Barbara Heads. White Hall Farms’ PETERSON LANDING settled just in behind the sensible pace (24.13, 48.13, 1:13.46) and ran on late to be second under Kimal Santo for trainer Keith Pedersen. Neil Braithwaite's KARDINAL ROSE was away far better from the gate and found herself on the engine with Ridge Balgobin in the irons. They battled on the lead until a miscue heading down the backside, where she ducked out and lost her position, cost her and she ended up an unlucky third for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Race 2.
The second race of the day was won by Russ and Lois Bennett's SOLARITY ($5.70), who broke on top but was reined back to last early by Amadeo Perez. They started to creep up on the backstretch and made the lead approaching the far turn and held well to win in 1:44.77 for conditioner Barbara Heads. Blue Willow Dairy’s DAPHNE was very keen and set demanding splits under Silvino Morales of 23.31, 46.47 and 1:11.32, but she stayed game right to the wire and ended up a clear runner-up for trainer Dave Forster. Rob and Sheena Maybin's NEIGHNEIGH was tracking on the inside under Chris Mamdeen, then they encountered trouble nearing the half-mile pole, losing momentum and she did well to regroup and get the third spot.
Race 3.
The third of the afternoon saw the first two-year-old race of the young season and proving fastest at the three-and-a-half-furlong trip was Conrad Rozenek's BREEZIN BRIANNE ($8.70), who did everything right under Brian Boodramsingh, breaking alertly and fending off all comers to win in 39.87 for trainer Mel Snow. Willow Creek Farms and Lorie Henson’s MOUNT DOOM ran huge in his debut although the inside post hurt him as he checked at the far turn then shifted three wide at the top of the lane and just missed under Antonio Reyes for trainer Steve Henson. Joe and Gloria Russo's REVEALING SUN was away well with Kerron Khelawan up and they were engaged on the lead (22.56, 33.66) but ended up third in a good effort for conditioner Patty Leaney.
Race 4.
The fourth race went to Stan Sharma's SHOCK THE HOUSE ($5.20), who found his way to the front under Antonio Reyes, setting a leisurely tempo of 23.04 and 46.50, then had plenty in the tank to find the win for trainer Brian O'Connell in a sharp 1:16.99. Dennis Spence’s WHAT'S SHAKIN was off a tad slow but was quickly put in the race by Kerron Khelawan to challenge for the lead and continued to battle gamely throughout and just missed, running a very good second for conditioner Cindy Krasner. Rob and Sheena Maybin's RHUMBABA was a little green in his debut under Ridge Balgobin but showed he has a lot of talent and checked-in a solid third.
Race 5.
The fifth race of the afternoon was won by George and Donna Gilbert’s COUNTERACT ($7.10), who was nestled comfortably in behind a pace duel under Antonio Reyes, then asked for his best of the final turn and he responded to get up late for the win in 1:16.63 for trainer Barbara Heads. Rob and Vicky Gilker's NINE ONE ONE was up on a sensible pace (22.60, 45.93) with Bebeto Harvey at the controls and they won the pace battle in his first start of the season but just got caught late in a big effort for trainer Rob Gilker. Gord Christoff ‘s GUNFIGHTER turned in a much better performance in his second start since 2022 as he closes up stylishly under Kerron Khelawan to be a solid third for trainer Robbie Anderson.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day saw Willow Creek Farm's PERFECT PENNY ($10.10) surge late to pass her stablemates under Kerron Khelawan in a big stretch run, stopping the timer in 1:17.78 for conditioner Steve Henson. Willow Creek Farm's NOTHINGBUTSUNSHINE, who was involved in the pace under Scott Williams (22.26, 46.07), took the lead to the stretch but was just reeled in late. Willow Creek Farms' FLYING MISS lived up to her name as she did fly late with Antonio Reyes aboard to complete the Willow Creek Farms and Steve Henson Triactor.
Race 7.
The seventh dash went to JG Williamson Racing's STAR ENTRY ($6.20), who was far back early under Amadeo Perez before making a swift four-wide run to get up in the shadows of the wire in 1:16.84 for trainer Steve Henson. Canyon Farm's BACK SHACK tracked a moderate pace of 22.71 and 45.86 then struck the lead turning for home under Ridge Balgobin but was caught late and finished second for trainer Craig MacPherson. Jordan Froelich's CEREBRO broke sharply and secured the lead, then lost it on the final turn but tried to come back on under Silvino Morales and looked a danger but had to settle for third for conditioner Dino Condilenios.
Century Mile
The Rob VanOverschot-trained NORTHERN FORCE followed up his recent Maiden Special Weight win by landing one of Saturday’s feature Allowance contests at Century Mile for owners JDP Holdings Ltd. The 3yo son of Counterforce, who was bred in BC by Paul Caravetta and is a graduate of the CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale, collared the leader Shining Tiger at the sixteenth pole under former Hastings-based pilot Jose Asencio and was driven out for the head victory.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, June 23
Racing at Hastings resumes next Friday evening, June 28. First race off at 7:00pm
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