Annie's Candy sitting on ready for Sunday sprint feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Annie’s Candy couldn’t have been more impressive when he worked four furlongs in 46.60 seconds at Hastings last Tuesday. If he runs to the work, he’s the winner of a $35,000 optional-claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew a solid field of eight, including last year’s Grade 3 British Columbia Derby winner, Sorryaboutnothing, who will want more distance.

The sharp work has trainer Phil Hall excited about running Annie’s Candy for the first time. With exercise rider Brad Cuthbertson aboard, Annie’s Candy broke off about five lengths behind stablemate Ace Deuce.

He looked comfortable sitting behind Ace Deuce for the first quarter-mile, and without any obvious urging from Cuthbertson, he made up the five lengths on the stretch turn. They raced together down the lane, and Annie’s Candy galloped out five furlongs in 58.60 seconds.

“Brad said he never asked him and that he galloped out like a monster,” Hall said.

Annie’s Candy will be making his second start for owner Peter Redekop, who claimed him out of a win in a $40,000 optional claimer at Santa Anita on Feb. 16. In his first start for Redekop and trainer Eddie Truman, he finished last behind Distinctiv Passion in a $62,500 optional-claiming race March 30. Distinctiv Passion, claimed out of the race by Redekop, won the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural for Hall on opening day here.

“Truman told me he didn’t know why, but Annie’s Candy was just a flat horse,” Hall said. “He’s been pretty sharp since he arrived here though.”

He will break from post 3 with Enrique Gonzalez aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS
Annie’s Candy, by Twirling Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 58-95-93

◗ Toss out his latest, and he looks like a standout.

Crackdown, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 63-88-51

◗ He looks like the main speed, can fire fresh, and won three of his four sprints for trainer Patty Leaney last year.

Twistgrips, by Benchmark
Last 3 Beyers: 71-82-84

◗ Trained by John Snow, he didn’t run a bad race last year, winning all five of his sprints and finishing third twice going around three turns.

Sabado Alegre, by Any Given Saturday
Last 3 Beyers: 70-79-82

◗ The Chilean-bred is looking for his first win since taking a $50,000 optional claimer in his initial start for trainer Craig MacPherson last May. He has fired bullets in three of his last four works and appears primed for a big effort in his first start since finishing fourth in a $40,000 optional-claiming race at Emerald Downs last September.

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Hastings, MacPherson has a 23 percent strike rate and a $3.05 ROI with horses coming back from a layoff of 180 days or longer.