Aditya to stretch out in Stellar’s Jay

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Anita Bolton said Aditya came out of his sharp win in a $25,000 optional-claiming race last Sunday in good order and will make his next start in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay on B.C. Cup Day, Aug. 5. The Stellar’s Jay is one of six stakes races that will make up the bulk of the B.C. Cup Day card. Four of the races are restricted to horses bred in British Colombia, but the $100,000 Redekop Classic for 3-year-olds and up and the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff for fillies and mares are open to horses bred or owned in B.C.

Aditya will be stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in the Stellar’s Jay, and he certainly has the pedigree to handle the assignment. He is the first foal to start out of Remarkable Miss, a three-time stakes winner. One of her stakes wins came on B.C. Cup Day in the 1 1/16-mile B.C. Cup Dogwood. Aditya is by Mass Market, who won the $300,000 West Virginia Derby going 1 1/8 miles and finished third behind Tiznow in the Grade 1 Super Derby.

Aditya has won two of his three starts since Bolton, acting on behalf of James Redekop, claimed him for $35,000 last October. It was his second start, and he came from a stalking position to win the 6 1/2-furlong maiden-claiming race for trainer Mike Anderson. In his debut, Aditya finished second in a maiden special weight race Sept. 20. The only time he’s been worse than second was in his first start as a sophomore in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province, where he had a bit of trouble going into the first turn.

In his last two races, he broke on top and never looked back. Bolton is confident he’ll be able to carry his substantial speed 1 1/16 miles.

“He certainly trains like he’ll be able to go long,” said Bolton. “I know he’s fast, but he doesn’t need the lead, and he’s certainly doing extremely well right now.”

The horse Aditya will have to beat is Brother Duster. He was trained by Bolton until he was claimed out of a front-running win in a $16,000 claiming race May 31. Making his first start for trainer Taylor Anderson, Brother Duster rallied to finish second behind Bluegrass Angus in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap on July 1. Bluegrass Angus is the top 3-year-old at Hastings, but as a Kentucky-bred, he isn’t eligible for the Stellar’s Jay.

It was a big race for Brother Duster, who was stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time. A big reason Anderson claimed him on behalf of Ken Johnson is his breeding. Also by Mass Market, Brother Duster is a full brother to the multiple stakes-winning mare Excited Miss. She just happens to be the dam of the top older female at Hastings, Arabella’s Muse.

Excited Miss was trained by Anderson’s aunt, Barbara Heads.

“I know the family well,” said Anderson. “Excited Miss was my first stakes winner as a groom. I thought Brother Duster would improve when he stretched out, and I was pretty happy with his race in the Chris Loseth.”

Anderson also likes Brother Duster’s versatility.

“He went to the front sprinting, so we know he’s fast,” said Anderson. “But he showed he can stalk in the Loseth. They won’t be going as fast in the Stellar’s Jay, so he’ll probably be sitting just off the pace. It’s certainly nice to have more than one option.”