Accidental Hero outlasts Sunbird in British Columbia Derby

Accidental Hero won the Grade 3, $125,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings on Saturday after surviving a stirring stretch battle with second wagering choice Sunbird.

The top race of the local season had just five runners, but provided onlookers with a memorable finish.

Sunbird dueled for the lead from the inside for just about the entire 1 1/8-mile journey, while Accidental Hero bided his time while sitting just behind the leaders.

The winner ranged up to be a menacing presence on the final turn and hooked up with Sunbird as they battled hard down the stretch to the delight of the large crowd.

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In the end Accidental Hero, owned by WYN Racing Stables Corp. and trained by Larry Grieve, prevailed by a head as the 6-5 favorite returned $4.40 after having covered the nine furlongs in 1:50.05. Sunbird had been the board favorite for most of the wagering before considerable late money came in on the winner.

With three furlongs to run, the entire group of five was clustered within 2 1/4 lengths of one another. Soon after the winner ranged up on the outside of Sunbird, the pair began to assert their superiority over the others, as it was 5 3/4 lengths back to third-place Space.

Sharing billing with the BC Derby were the BC Oaks, the Jack Diamond Futurity, and the Sadie Diamond Futurity.

The $75,000 Oaks was won by Above Average, who stalked the early pace of 3-5 favorite Air Force and then collared that foe near the top of the stretch before drawing away to a 2 3/4-length victory. Above Average returned $15.80 while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.45 over a fast track. Air Force held second by a length over Matsqui in the field of seven. The winner races for Canmor Farms and is trained by Mark Cloutier.

Certain divisional champion Lizzie's Rayne took the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity with a half-length score over first-time starter Eddie's Girl. The winner is trained by David Milburn and covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:19.74 while returning $3.40 as the public choice. Another first-time starter, Viva la Diva, was third.

The $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity was won by debuting longshot Wealthy Texan, who was masterfully prepared by trainer Mel Snow who shares ownership with Len Houweling. The owner and trainer had combined years earlier with Infinite Wealth, the dam of the winner, who was also victorious first time out.

The winner was 2 3/4 lengths clear of runner-up Vector, who in turn was 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place Northern Force. Favorite August Rain didn't make much impact and checked in sixth.

Wealthy Texan ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.80 and paid $27 to win in what was a fairly wide-open rendition of the Futurity.

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