Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 Belmont Lineup  

06/ 06/ 00 - Vancouver: As of this morning I had to rewrite this column, because the lineup for The Belmont Stakes (which will be run this Saturday) is, day by day, changing faster than you can change your socks. Fusaichi Pegasus is out of the event due to an injury to his front right hoof, which was caused by a freak accident at Aqueduct, where he is currently being stabled. When this news broke, horses started dropping out of the clouds to enter the race. The way this year's Triple Crown has unfolded it's like each of the three races that make it up are all individual events, each one disconnected from the other. This being the case, The Belmont will have to be handicapped with a different eye to the outcome. The  lineup as it stands is as follows: Appearing Now, Aptitude, Chief Seattle, Commendable, Curule, Globalize, Hugh Hefner, Impeachment, Postponed, Tahkoda Hills, Unshaded, and Wheelaway, are all in. On the possible list are: Bevo, Harlan Traveler, Scottish Halo, Badget, Lawrence, and Rizzo. This current lineup leaves a wide open field for horses like Aptitude and Impeachment, who ran second and third in The Kentucky Derby. And what sort of a shot does this give Chief Seattle, who ran second in The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, and Postponed, who grabbed first in The Peter Pan? And what about Wheelaway, who ran fifth in the Derby, and is reported as working very smartly right now? The point is, it will be an entirely different race than we might have expected had the Pegasus been around. I don’t know how you see it, but I am inclined to give a very big edge to Aptitude and Impeachment. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t repeat their previous performances in here. However you play it, the main thing is to have fun handicapping The Belmont Stakes 2000.

 

Speaking of big races in June, The Queen’s Plate is just around the corner. Ten horses have been entered so far. Two horses to watch in here will be  I And I, who has been running well, and is one of the favorites of the Woodbine handicappers (standing at 15-1 in the early odds), and Strike Smartly, who is being sent out by a good barn and shows a lot of promise (standing at 3-1 in the early odds). Other horses rounding out the field are: Wake At Noon, Fatherthanuthink, Volio, Bold N’ Fancy, High Speed Travel, For Our Sake, Touch Of Power, and Scatter The Gold. My money will be on I And I and Strike Smartly, with a backup bet on Volio, who has been performing well at Woodbine. This year’s Queen’s Plate will offer a $1,000,000 purse. It should be a great event.

 

Meanwhile at the Park, Friday's highlight was the 2^nd race, when bug boy Jeff Burningham got his first win on the Frank Barroby trained Nobility'spleasure, who paid $22.20/ $11.40/ $7.50. Saturday's and Sunday's racing were held under warm and sunny skies. Saturday's big race was the $18,000 Senate Appointee, which was won by Sky Borne, with Chris Loseth in the irons. Second and third money went to Blue In Green and Full Scream Ahead. I need to mention Saturday's 8^th race in which Kingsview, who ran second, was claimed for the third time. I was in error when I last mentioned that Kingsview was claimed by Cindy Krasner; he was claimed by Diane Martin and Bradsen Cole, and was claimed back this week by Terry Jordan, from whom he was originally claimed. Talk about a game of musical chairs! But he is a good little money maker at Hastings Park. On Sunday two promising runners came into the money, Rugger, who placed in the 4^th race, and Geri’s Image, who came third in the 5^th race. Watch for these two when they go out again. I suspect that Geri’s Image will be lowered to get her a win, and if this happens, play her across the board. Kerry's Buddy, who ran a powerful second a little over a week ago, came up for a win on Sunday. This horse is on the improve, and a step up in class next out would not be a surprise.

 

If you haven’t  noticed it already, the Hastings paddock has a new look, with smart white wooden fencing and a new camera platform, with a little spire, with a horse shaped weather vane atop it. I was teasing one of the managers on Saturday, when I suggested that Hastings was aspiring to be the Churchill Downs of the west. But I had to admit that the improvements being made all around the Park are very pleasing, and long overdue. Also, for those who missed the announcement, Hastings is talking about running noon day races on Wednesdays, with transportation laid on to pick up customers from the downtown area and deliver them back to town after the races. Along the same lines was the decision to start Friday evening races at 3:30 p.m. on holiday weekends.

 

Late Breaking News - Woodbine: Sunday, June 4^th was the running of The Plate Trial at Woodbine. This is the preparation race for The Queen's Plate. Pete's Sake, ridden by Sovereign Award Winning jockey Pat Husbands got up for top money, with I And I, running a powerful second, and Bold 'N Fancy grabbing third. Strike Smartly, who was sporting front wraps, ran fifth. Apparently his trainer currently has doubts about whether he will show up for The Queen’s Plate. Volio ran a disappointing sixth, but the longer distance may produce better results. Also, keep an eye out for For Our Sake, who ran fourth.