Actxotic figures to be winging

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Six older fillies and mares square off in a $25,000 optional claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs Wednesday evening at Hastings Park, and Actxotic figures to be the one they'll have to catch.

Actxotic has won two races in her seven-race career, and in both cases she led from gate to wire. She debuted with a nine-length romp over $25,000 maidens last August, but then was eased in her next two starts and turned out for the year. She started her 4-year-old season with a front-running win at this level May 30 and came close to carrying her speed 1 1/16 miles at the same condition June 13.

Actxotic looked like an obvious favorite when she returned to a sprint for her next start. However, the big effort going a distance for the first time this year must have taken its toll, and after leading for just over a half-mile, she gave in without much of a fight to finish a well-beaten seventh. In her most recent start, July 18, she led for all but the last few jumps and finished second to former stakes winner Full Scream Ahead.

There doesn't appear to be a lot of speed to go with Actxotic on Wednesday and she's likely to be a tepid favorite. Trainer Mel Snow has named Frank Fuentes to ride.

Princess Vye and Coastal Baby are the most consistent horses in the race, but both look vulnerable. Princess Vye is shortening up after three straight races going 1 1/16 miles, and Coastal Baby, who has been claimed in three of her last four starts, stumbled and unseated her rider when favored in a $20,000 claiming race on July 28.