Twice the Force
Lucky Force and Air Force took two of the valuable CTHS Sales Stakes races at Hastings on Monday evening, paying a huge compliment to leading BC-based stallion, Counterforce
HIGHLIGHTS
Craig MacPherson had a training double
Antonio Reyes had two stakes-winning rides
The Pick 5 paid a whopping $7,233
The Monday night handle came in at a highly-respectable $595,561
Six of eight races went to horses bred here in British Columbia
A sparse crowd of brave souls endured a late summer drenching in monsoon-like conditions at Hastings for CTHS Sale Stakes night. The track was understandably sloppy all evening, with six of the eight contests going to horses on, or close to, the lead throughout
Race 1 — $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 2yo Fillies
The Monday opener was the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stake for two-year-old fillies and showing her class was Conrad Rozenek's BREEZIN BRIANNE ($2.10), who easily bested her rivals in a sharp 1:17.64. With the assistance of Brian Boodramsingh they cruised comfortably to the lead, getting easy splits of 23.04 and 46.95, before sprinting clear late for trainer Mel Snow and asserting herself as the one to beat in next month’s $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity. Jeff Sengara's SOMEDAY LADY ran an improved race in her second career start, settling kindly and finishing a good runner-up under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Cindy Krasner. Don and Sue Danard's WHY NOTS A WYNNER was a little tough to rate for Learie Seecharan in behind runners, as they were going very slow, but he guided her to the rail and ended up third best for Mel Snow.
CTHS Sales Update:
HIP# 51 in this week’s CTHS Yearling Sale is a BAKKEN half-brother to runner-up SOMEDAY LADY
Race 2 — $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 2yo Colts & Geldings
The second race was the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stake for the two-year-old boys and winning a hard fought battle was Willow Creek Farms and Lorie Henson’s MOUNT DOOM ($2.40) in 1:18.65. The Steve Henson pupil was off a step slow, but quickly engaged for the lead under Antonio Reyes and they duelled through demanding fractions of 22.03 and 45.38 and had enough in reserve to find the finish line first. WYN Racing Stables’ CHICK COMMAND was a much improved runner, as he showed excellent speed, battling the heavy favourite with Kimal Santo at the controls and gave the winner everything he could handle, staying on determinedly to be second for trainer Ian Jewell. Jordan Froelich's MAKENA'S JOY was a handful in the gate but, once they sprung the latch, he seemed relaxed and made a nice move late under Silvino Morales to gain the third spot for conditioner Dino Condilenios.
Race 3 .
The third race saw Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's BABY I'M A STAR ($59.70) take to the wet conditions like a duck to water, as Learie Seecharan held her far away from the speed, then produced a sharp final quarter-mile to move up the inside and get up in deep stretch to claim the upset victory for trainer Dave Milburn in a very good time of 1:17.74. Roy and Dixie Jackson’s ANNIKA'S SONG did all the heavy lifting, setting a contested pace (22.26, 46.00) under Antonio Reyes, and took the lead to the stretch but just got caught late, settling for an impressive runner-up for trainer Mark Cloutier. Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ SAILINGFORTHESTARS was up close to the early fractions with Bebeto Harvey in the saddle. They stayed in contention until late and held well for third place for Pat Jarvis.
CTHS Sales Update:
HIP# 46 in this week’s CTHS Yearling Sale is a BAKKEN full-brother to third-placed finisher, SAILINGFORTHESTARS
Race 4 — $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3 & 4yo Fillies
The fourth of the evening was the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stake for three- and four- year-old fillies and wiring the field was Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's AIR FORCE ($2.90) who was afforded a clear lead, getting nice fractions (24.39, 48.67 and 1:13.98) and was never seriously threatened, winning well under Antonio Reyes in 1:44.59 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Renfrew Racing, B and B Racing, No Trump Stable, Matt Elder and Bill Breen's MATSQUI turned in another top effort, but the early pace was too soft and she could only rescue the second spot under Amadeo Perez for conditioner Mark Freeman. Ironside Stables DREAMING D'ORO was in a good striking position with Brian Boodramsingh aboard and they stayed on gamely to be a close third for Rob VanOverschot.
CTHS Sales Update:
HIP# 12 in this week’s CTHS Yearling Sale is a full-sister to AIR FORCE
Race 5
The fifth race went to Trinity West Stables and Willow Lake Farms and Stables’ STILETTOS ONLY ($7.40), who showed good speed in the sloppy conditions with Bebeto Harvey in the irons, tracking the pace and taking dead aim on the early leader before running on best in the late stages to win in 1:19.56 for trainer John Snow. Roxanne's Racing Stable, Milton Palma, Cody and Kelsi Wellard's CHABI was tucked in behind the speed by Brian Boodramsingh and came out late to get the second spot for trainer Pete Gregory. Willow Creek Farm's DELTA SUNRISE set a lively pace (22.62, 46.55) under Antonio Reyes, but was caught heading into the lane and ended up third for Steve Henson.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day was won by Canyon Farm's VECTOR ($5.30). He was put on the lead by Kimal Santo in his first start without blinkers and set a demanding tempo (23.87, 46.92, 1:11.87), but had another gear and drew off to a big score for trainer Craig MacPherson in 1:45.36. The Bennetts’ SNAP TO IT was away in good order then lost contact with the pace runners but rallied well late to be a clear second under Amadeo Perez for trainer Barbara Heads. B and B Racing, Vintage LGA, Mark Freeman and Mark Cloutier's DEAL EM was off a step slow, then rushed up to challenge the quick pace under Antonio Reyes and was in contention until the sixteenth pole where he seemed a little tired and ended up third for Mark Cloutier.
Race 7 — $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3 & 4yo Colts & Geldings
The seventh race was the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stake for three- and four-year-old colts and geldings and, as expected, Ed Claggett's LUCKY FORCE ($3.60) got the money despite some anxious moments. With Amadeo Perez aboard, he finally found running room turning for home and nailed down the win for trainer Craig MacPherson in 1:44.61. Stan Sharma's SHOCK THE HOUSE showed good speed under Antonio Reyes, setting sensible splits (24.06, 47.62, 1:12.70) and fought on to the wire in a huge effort to be second for trainer Brian O'Connell. Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ DIOCLES was his usual determined self but the pace scenario was not kind to him and rider Kerron Khelawan, but they still managed to secure third money for conditioner Pat Jarvis.
CTHS Sales Update:
HIP# 6 in this week’s CTHS Yearling Sale is a SHARP AZTECA half-sister to runner-up SHOCK THE HOUSE
Race 8.
The final race of the night was won by TC Racing’s EXTRA INNINGS ($8.60), who easily took this group gate-to-wire while setting quick fractions (23.54, 47.59, 1:12.53) under Kerron Khelawan. He had tons left to win in the clear in 1:45.09 for trainer Rob Gilker. Estate of Mauro Comensoli's DIVAANY proved second best for Dino Condilenios. Willow Lake Farms and Stables’ ROLLIE'S SPIRIT closed up the inside to claim the third spot for trainer John Snow.
CTHS Sales Update:
HIP# 4 in this week’s CTHS Yearling Sale is a STANFORD half-brother to runner-up DIVAANY
CTHS Sales Update
Hip# 45 is a SUNGOLD half-sister to last Saturday’s “wrapped up” winner of the Century Casino Oaks (Black Type), AVANA!
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