Allowance a soft spot for 'Fred'

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Code Name Fred will put his three-race win streak on the line in the Hastings feature, a 1 1/16-mile allowance race for 3-year-olds and up that haven't won a stakes of $20,000 or more in 2003.

While Code Name Fred, who races for Bar None Ranches, hasn't won a stakes race this year, he has won plenty in his career and comes into Sunday's race with more than $400,000 in earnings. He's also very sharp, having won all three of his starts in October at Northlands Park.

The 7-year-old Code Name Fred has done most of his racing in Alberta, but he ran well the three times he has shipped to Hastings, finishing second twice in stakes races as a 3-year-old in 1999 and third in the Grade 3 Premier's in 2000. He's trained by Kelly Grieves and will be ridden by Quincy Welch.

Silver Donn is the only other horse in the field coming off a win, and that was via disqualification in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race Oct. 26. Silver Donn was the second best 3-year-old at Hastings last year, but hasn't been able to beat the best older horses on the grounds.

If his last race was any indication, Silver Donn could be ready to join the elite of the local handicap division. Going past the stands the first time, he was forced to check sharply when Kalfaari and Go on Orange came over on him. He regrouped, though, and missed by a neck to Kalfaari, who had his number taken down. Leading rider Pedro Alvarado will ride.

Also in the 10-horse field is 1998 B.C. Derby winner Vernon Invader.