Willow Creek Hat-Trick
It was business as usual for Steve Henson and Willow Creek Farms at Hastings on Friday evening as they extended their leads in owner and trainer categories with another fine three-timer
HIGHLIGHTS
Owner Willow Creek Farms had three victories
Trainer Steve Henson saddled three winners
Kerron Khelawan and Antonio Reyes both had riding doubles
FIVE of the night’s six winners were bred here in British Columbia
The handle was $332,294.
A hot July day dissolved into another perfect summer’s evening at Hastings, as racegoers strolled the apron, comfortable in shirtsleeve order. The track remained fast and fair throughout all six races.
Race 1.
The Friday night opener sent to heavily favoured NU SOUP FOR BABY ($3.40), who breezed through comfortable fractions (22.84, 46.95) with Kimal Santo at the helm and drew off to an easy victory in 1:18.49 for owner Michelle Roberts-Henson and trainer Rob Henson. Shamrock Racing Stables’ RAILWAY POLICE turned in a very good performance under Chris Mamdeen on his debut for trainer Brian Phillips, chasing the speed on the inside and getting up late to be second and giving the breeders Shamrock Racing Stables the Exactor. Sandra Corsan’s BORROWED EQUITY suffered from a four-wide trip under Brian Boodramsingh, who was helpless in the field of five, having to lose ground and did well to be a close third for trainer Mel Snow.
Claims:
NU SOUP FOR BABY was claimed by owners Hawaiian Shirt Guys for trainer Dino Condilenios
Race 2.
The second of the evening was won by Willow Creek Farms’ LUCKY COWBOY ($9.40), who sat a perfect trip under Antonio Reyes behind a pace duel before shifting out on the final turn to gain command and drawing clear to win his fourth in a row in 1:17.25 for trainer, Steve Henson . WYN Racing Stables’ SOMETHING ELUSIVE settled at the rear, far back off the speed under Kimal Santo and started to make headway in the closing stages to be a good second for trainer Larry Grieve. Paul Lesmaurier's DEPUTY'S DANCER was involved in a quick and contested duel up front (22.31, 45.28) with Scott Williams in the irons and they battled gamely to hold the third spot for trainer Paul Lesmaurier.
Claims:
DEPUTY’S DANCER was claimed by owners Joe & Gloria Russo for trainer Patty Leaney
Race 3.
The third race of the day saw Dennis Spence's WHAT’S SHAKIN ($3.80) rally from last to first with an impressive turn of foot under Kerron Khelawan to win in a sharp time of 1:17.06 for trainer Cindy Krasner. Rob and Sheena Maybin's RHUMBABA turned in a solid effort, racing through quick splits (22.26, 45.30) with Ridge Balgobin up, and they just got nailed in deep stretch to be an unlucky runner-up for trainer Rob Maybin. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ STATION ONE was prominent early, then settled comfortably with Antonio Reyes aboard and was bumped into the rail approaching the far turn, but managed to recover and be a promising closing third for conditioner Edgar Mendoza.
Race 4.
The fourth race on the program went to Willow Creek Farm and Fabio Chiesa’s HOAX ($6.20), who was allowed to build a big lead early under Antonio Reyes through slow fractions of 22.34 and 46.32 and was never challenged, winning easily in 1:16.80 for trainer Steve Henson. Nite and Day Stable, Joanne Todd and Steve and Diane Comparelli's LOLA M was slow to begin and lacked position under Amadeo Perez, but then seized an opportunity to secure the rail on the backside which enabled her to get into the second spot for trainer Brian O'Connell. Rob and Sheena Maybin's NEIGHNEIGH also suffered from an uncomfortable trip, racing three-wide throughout, despite having the rail at the start, and checked in third under Chris Mamdeen for Rob Maybin.
Race 5.
The fifth of the night was won by Willow Creek Farms’ PERFECT PENNY ($6.80), who was well held behind a slow tempo by Kerron Khelawan then angled out for the drive and exploded past the leaders to win in 1:17.77 for trainer Steve Henson. WYN Racing Stables DRILL BABY DRILL set a leisurely pace (22.98, 47.34) under Kimal Santo, but was simply outrun in what was a winning effort but had to settle for second for trainer Larry Grieve. Demetris Topouzis’ B C CHRISTIE was off a tad slow, then regathered her stride to sit second under Brian Boodramsingh, but couldn’t stay with the top two late and ended up a close third.
Race 6.
The sixth and final race of the evening went to G.O. Stable and Alexa Ramirez's GROOVIN IS BAK ($9.50), who was given a textbook ride by Bebeto Harvey, settling just off of the speed then producing a solid late run to get the victory in deep stretch in 1:17.53 for trainer Erick Gutierrez. Saundra Chipman's STANFORD NORTH battled on a very quick pace (22.47, 45.42) under Amadeo Perez and opened up a sizeable lead on the final turn, but just got caught late in a game effort for trainer Geovani Olalde. Canmor Farms and Bud Malette's ACCORDINGLY closed up sharply under Silvino Morales to be a close third for conditioner Mark Cloutier.
New Stride News
Bloodhorse Headlines — Saturday July 13
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