Ammann finishes Hastings meet strongly with two stakes wins on closing day
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Christine Ammann capped off a breakout year with a big day at Hastings Thursday. She won two of the four stakes featured on the closing-day 14-race card, and being the breeder, owner, and trainer of Rea Mea she took home all the money in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity.
Rea Mea paid $43.80 for her two-length victory over We B Three in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for British Columbia-bred or -sired 2-year-old fillies.
With Jeffrey Burningham riding, Rea Mea sat just off We B Three before taking over the lead at the top of the stretch. We B Three held on well to finish 1 3/4 lengths clear of the Ammann-trained Kandy Katie, who rallied to finish third. The final time was 1:18.03.
By Lent out of the Tiznow mare Strangelove, Rea Mea was making just her second start after winning a $32,000 maiden claimer going 3 1/2 furlongs on July 20.
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Ammann won the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate with Stay Fantastic, who paid $8.80.
Ridden by Scott Williams, Stay Fantastic settled early behind a fast and contested pace before taking command just after turning for home in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. He finished three lengths in front of Coulterberry, who stalked, took over the lead on the stretch turn, but could not resist the strong move made by the winner. Five Star General finished third as the odds-on favorite. The final time was a snappy 1:43.76.
The win completed a perfect meet for Stay Fantastic, who won his four previous races. It was the first stakes win for the homebred 4-year-old gelding by Stay Thirsty, who is owned by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds.
Kicking off the stakes festival was the $50,000 Delta Colleen, where Here’s Hannah was a desperate winner by a nose over Northern Graystar. Warrior’s Promise finished third in the three-horse field.
Here’s Hannah and Northern Graystar quickly turned the 1 1/16-mile event into a match race. With Northern Graystar on the inside they dueled through quick interior fractions of 23.03 and 46.05. Here’s Hannah appeared to be done when Northern Graystar opened up a clear lead mid-stretch. However, under vigorous left-handed urging she got up in time despite drifting out late. The win improved her record to 15-2-1 from 18 starts and the $35,000 winner’s share brought her lifetime earnings to $564,950.
Trained by John Morrison, the 5-year-old daughter of Numaany has raced exclusively at Hastings for B C Stables.
Foot Soldier was a convincing winner of the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old colts and geldings bred or sired in British Columbia.
Ridden by Jose Asencio, Foot Soldier paid $21.90 for his 3 1/4-length victory over Blueprint in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. Finding Ways finished a neck behind Blueprint. The final time was 1:18.57. The victory gave the sire Lent a sweep of the richest races for 2-year-olds at Hastings.
Out of Da Svedonya, Foot Soldier is trained by Milton Palma. He was bred by his owner Tamara Baker.