Alert Bay dazzles in work for Premier's Handicap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – If they handed out Beyer Speed Figures for workouts, Alert Bay would have received a triple-digit figure for his 6 1/2-furlong move out of the gate Oct. 4 at Hastings.

With exercise rider Edgar Mendoza aboard, Alert Bay seemed to be on cruise control while carving out fractions of 23.80 seconds, 35 flat, and 46.80. He went five furlongs in 58.20 before finishing off the impressive move in 1:16.80. The final time is faster than most races are run at Hastings, and according to trainer Anita Bolton, he was well in hand and came back looking for more. If he runs to the work, he could be a handful Monday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Premier’s Handicap.

“We told Edgar not to push him and let him do what he wants,” said Bolton. “Edgar just sat on him, and he really did it all on his own. It didn’t appear to take anything out of him because the next day, he acted like he wanted to go back to the track.”

Alert Bay will be tackling older horses for the first time in the Premier’s, and he could end up being the favorite in the 1 3/8-mile race. The 89 Beyer he earned for his win in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby is the best last-race figure in the field, and he seems to be the kind of horse you can put anywhere you want. He stalked a reasonable pace in the Derby, and he should get a similar trip in the Premier’s.

“I don’t think the distance will be a problem,” said Bolton. “He certainly trains like a horse that will run all day.”

There is some rain in the forecast, and it could be the first time Alert Bay will race over a wet surface. Considering that he has won on turf, Tapeta, and dirt, it seems likely he’ll run over anything.

“Really, the main thing is that he just loves Vancouver,” said Bolton. “I am sure he was fine in Southern California, too, but he has really thrived since he arrived here.”

Alert Bay compiled a 3-4-1 record from nine starts and earned $240,300 while racing for trainer Blaine Wright in the Golden State.