Union Caps Three-Timer for Perez
Big Union took the day's feature, completing a double for trainer Steve Henson, while veteran campaigner Ace Deuce sparked a brace for Heads' barn
SATURDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Rider Amadeo Perez had a riding triple on the day.
Trainers Mark Cloutier and Steve Henson had training doubles.
The carryovers stand at $7,999 for the Pick 5 and $3,805 for the Pick 6.
The handle was $332,196.
The Saturday program at Hastings Racecourse was run under overcast skies after series of rain showers over the past couple of days but the track was rated fast.
Race 1.
The first of the afternoon went to the Pocket Aces Stable’s WE'RE IN COMMAND ($7.90) who sat a beautiful trip under Scott Williams tracking the pace setting AIRAFFAIR through soft fractions of 23.60 and 47.38 and when the pace quickened on the final turn the Steve Henson trainee WE'RE IN COMMAND gradually inched clear to get the victory in a rapid 1:17.74 for the six and a half furlongs. The G.O. Stables AIRAFFAIR ran very gamely considering he raced last Saturday but had to settle for second. Rob and Sheena Maybin's THE VALENTINE KID rallied from last to gain the third spot.
Race 2.
The second was taken down the veteran campaigner ACE DEUCE ($6.70) who was given a perfect ride by Antonio Reyes settling behind a contested pace and then when asked for his best he blew by the leaders on the stretch turn and built up a five and a half length margin at the wire in 1:46.61. Owned and trained by Barbara Heads who had the rare feat of sending out an 11 year old ACE DEUCE and a 10 year old ADITYA to the winners circle on consecutive race days showing she gets the most out of the old boys including yours truly (wink, wink). Rob and Sheena Maybin's MUSTACHIO got caught up in a spirited duel early (24.04,47.65) and ran on gamely to get the second spot. Dave Milburn and the Minnaloushe Stables YOU DON'T OWN ME was also involved in the early pace battle dropped back to third on the turn but was coming back at the end and just missed second.
Race 3.
The third race went to J G Williamson Racing Stables BIG UNION ($4.80) who made no mistakes as the favourite leading throughout under Amadeo Perez in 1:17.98. Trainer Steve Henson earned his second winner of the day watching his pupil relax through early fractions of 23.55 and a leisurely half-mile in 47.62 and he had plenty left in the tank to hold off all challengers to get his first local win. The Hastings Racing Club's PRINCE CAIRO ran a huge race off of the lengthy layoff for trainer John Snow to be a solid second. The Nite and Day Stable and Joanne Todd's HE'S RELENTLESS was forced to be taken out of his usual off the pace running style with the fractions being so slow and after chasing the leaders out wide he got a little tired late and ended up third.
Race 4.
The fourth of the afternoon was won by Wayne Oliver and Stuart Carmichael’s VISENYA ($10.00) who was given a textbook ride by Amadeo Perez biding his time in behind the leaders on the rail and then proceeded to angle off of the inside in the stretch and proved too strong for her rivals to win by a length and a half for trainer Mark Cloutier in a quick time for the level of 1:18.53. Kent Bird and Dino Condilenios KOALA showed her customary early speed and led the field through a sensible tempo of 22.76 and 46.80 and just lasted for second. Rob and Sheena Maybin's GWEN fought on the pace chasing KOALA and just missed second by a neck and took home third money. There were two claims in the fourth KOALA was claimed by owner trainer Demetris Topouzis and SUNBURNT was purchased by Nigel Reid, Dan Lee and trainer Pat Jarvis.
Race 5.
The fifth of the day was the most exciting and taking home the top prize was BFA Holdings WISE MARKET ($8.00) who sat well off of the pace early then started to move up four deep on the final bend and made the lead in late stretch under Amadeo Perez and just held by a desperate nose for the victory in 1:18.52 for trainer Mark Cloutier. The Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s TIZ MEOW sat much of the trip in the three path and seemed to be outrun in the stretch but he battled back gamely when asked by Cerapio Figueroa and must lost the bob and ended up second. Rob and Sheena Maybin's APPELLANT closed up strongly in the late going to be third.
Race 6.
The last of the day went to Melanie Ondine Gosney, Bryan and Roger Snow's HANKY PRANKY ($18.40) who was making his career debut and ran like a true professional for trainer Mel Snow and rider Gabriel Morales sitting just in behind the speed on the rail and seized an opportunity midway on the turn when the leader bolted he then made the lead and drew away smartly to win by an impressive six lengths in 1:18.42. Jordan Froelich's DR. BENNY charged strongly through the stretch to gain second money. Dave Milburn’s SLOOP JOHN B was bounced around a bit at the gate and settled in behind the speed while racing on the rail he the scooted up the inside to get the third place cheque.
Racing resumes at Hastings today, Sunday, May 29th with a seven-race card. First race : 2:00 p.m.
Three Grade 1s at Santa Anita on Monday
Don’t forget that it’s Memorial Day in the U.S. on Monday, which means we get an extra day of top class racing! Santa Anita’s 10-race card includes three Grade 1 contests. The Hollywood Gold Cup is the fourth race on the card and is followed immediately by the Shoemaker Mile. The Grade 1 Gamely Stakes is the final race of the day. - NR
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks for Sunday
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Sunday’s runners and riders will be sent as a separate newsletter.
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