Awesome claim Awesome Slate wins B.C. Premiers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - A $16,000 claim two starts ago, Awesome Slate had a perfect trip in winning the Grade 3, $100,000 B.C. Premiers at Hastings Monday. He paid $21 for his one-length victory over longshot Crazy Prophet in the 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

With Richard Hamel aboard, Awesome Slate looked comfortable sitting in fourth while the favorite, Killin Me Smalls, reeled off a quick half-mile in 47.96 seconds under pressure from Venetian Mask and Highway Boss. With Killin Me Smalls posting a six-furlong time of 1:12.26, the three leaders opened up a clear lead over Awesome Slate. When Hamel gave Awesome Slate his cue at the three-eighths pole, he immediately responded, and by the time they hit the quarter pole he was on even terms with leader Venetian Mask.

Awesome Slate took control of the race on the stretch turn and easily held off Crazy Prophet, who rallied late. Venetian Mask held on well to finish third.

Killin Me Smalls, who was trying to win the Premiers for the third straight year, finished last.

Awesome Slate covered the 1 3/8 miles in 2:18.13.

With 73 wins Hamel is the leading rider at Hastings, and among his 19 stakes wins this year are the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina, $100,000 B.C. Oaks, $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, and $100,000 Fantasy.

“He needed things to go his way and they did,” said Hamel. “I made the lead a little early, but I just kept riding and hoping. The way things have gone this year I can’t seem to do anything wrong anyway.”

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Summer Bird, Awesome Slate was making his second start for trainer Cindy Krasner, who claimed him for $16,000 on behalf of Jake Kalpakian Sept 1. In his first start for his new connections, Awesome Slate won the $30,000 HBPA Claiming Championship for $25,000 claimers Sept. 1.

“He seemed like a horse that would get the distance, and since he won the Claiming Championship so easily I thought we should take a shot with him in the Premiers,” said an elated Krasner.

The $2 8-4 exactor paid $394, and the $2 8-4-3 triactor paid $1,847.50.