Academic looks to make history in B.C. Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Academic will try to become the first filly to win the British Columbia Derby since 1956, when Ali Miss earned $3,125 for her win in the 1 1/8-mile race. Academic will receive considerably more – $137,500 – if she wins the 70th running of the Grade 3, $250,000 race that drew nine horses. Post time for the B.C. Derby is 4:42 p.m. Pacific. At 121 pounds, Academic will receive five pounds from the field.

Academic paid $135.30 when she led all the way June 14 in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks for trainer Reade Baker and owner Danny Dion. Coming off an impressive win Aug. 15 in the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park, she figures to be a solid favorite Sunday over Bluegrass Angus.

After being eased in the Queen’s Plate, Dion sold part of Academic to Northlands Park-based Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd., and she was transferred to trainer Tim Rycroft. She proved two things when she romped by eighth lengths in the Canadian Derby: She doesn’t need the lead, and she might be a better horse on dirt than on Polytrack.

With Justin Stein aboard, she looked comfortable sitting behind Blue Dancer before she quickly opened up on the field on the stretch turn in the 1 3/8-mile race.

Despite an accident in which she slipped and fell on the asphalt on the Hastings backstretch, she couldn’t have looked any better when she clicked off 12-second splits in her four-furlong breeze in 48 seconds Monday.

Rycroft, who won three of the four stakes on the Canadian Derby card, is pleased with how Academic has settled in at Hastings.

“Other than that screw-up, everything seems to be going well,” he said. “She likes the track, and hopefully she’ll get the same kind of trip that she got in the Canadian Derby.”

Academic drew post 2, with Stein retaining the mount.

Bluegrass Angus, trained by Craig MacPherson, dominated the last three open stakes races for 3-year-olds at Hastings. Similar to Academic, he is fast but can stalk.

His most impressive race came when he stretched out to a middle distance for the first time July 1 in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap. With Richard Hamel aboard, he sat just off a wicked pace before taking complete control of the 1 1/16-mile race approaching the stretch turn.

In his next start, he set a moderate pace while easily winning the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial on Aug. 21.

“It will be interesting to see how the race unfolds,” said MacPherson. “He’s been an improving horse all year, and hopefully he’s going to peak on Sunday.”

The horse they will have to catch is Blue Dancer. He was undefeated in Canada until he finished fifth in the Canadian Derby, but trainer Greg Tracy expects him to come back with a strong effort.

“The track was really deep for the Canadian Derby,” he said. “He likes this surface, and the shorter distance will help.”

Blue Dancer won the $75,000 Ascot Graduation in his only start at Hastings last year.

Key contenders

Academic (Last 3 Beyers: 87-NA-88)

* She was very impressive in her win over the boys in the Canadian Derby and could get a similar trip here.

Bluegrass Angus (Last 3 Beyers: 87-76-89)

* He has the home-track advantage and appears to be peaking at the right time.

Blue Dancer (Last 3 Beyers: 67-87-71)

* His only losses came in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Canadian Derby, where the distance was beyond his scope.