Apalachee Bay surges into Winston Churchill Derby Trial

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The British Columbia Cup Classic Handicap is officially the highlight of the six $50,000 stakes featured on B. C. Cup Day at Hastings on Monday. However, there will be a lot of focus on the Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial for 3-year-olds, which anchors the nine-race card.

The Trial is the final local prep for the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 8, and the race should tell us which horses will move on as serious players to the derby, the premier race at Hastings.

Apalachee Bay will likely be favored in the eight-horse field for the 1 1/16-mile Trial.

Trained by Phil Hall, Apalachee Bay improved dramatically when he moved to dirt after floundering on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields in his first two starts. He ran fourth in a maiden special weight race in his first start at Hastings, but he showed tremendous potential when he went about 10 wide on the first turn and was still in the thick of the 6 1/2-furlong dash at the wire. He made no mistakes when he romped by six lengths in his next start, and then was an easy front-running winner when he stretched out to a middle distance in the $51,000 Count Lathum Handicap at Northlands Park on July 14.

Amadeo Perez, who was aboard for his two races at Hastings, rides Apalachee Bay.

“He’s really doing well,” Hall said. “I don’t think he needs the lead, but he drew the one hole, so Amadeo will be using his speed early.”

Among Apalachee Bay’s opponents is He’s the Reason, trained by Glen Todd. He took a big step forward when he went around three turns for the first time and finished second in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap here on July 1.

Day Raider should be rolling late in a race that should have an honest and contested pace.

◗ The Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies features a matchup between Here’s Hannah and Toni Ann’s Miracle. The 1 1/16-mile race is the final prep for the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 8.

Here’s Hannah showed a new dimension when she sat off the speed going 1 1/16 miles in her win in the $50,000 Supernaturel here on July 2. Trained by John Morrison, she went into the Supernaturel off the first loss in her career in the $50,000 Emerald Downs at Hastings on June 2. With the win in the Supernatural she is perfect in two starts going around three turns.

“She couldn’t be training any better and hopefully she’ll get the same kind of trip she had in her last race,” Morrison said. “With her long stride she seems to be a better horse going long.”

Her’s Hannah will break from post 4 with Richard Hamel retaining the mount.

Toni Ann’s Miracle dominated the Emerald Downs in her first start for Hall and at Hastings. She was sent off as the 1-2 favorite in the Supernaturel, but was eliminated with a horrific start.

Toni Ann’s Miracle could be tough to get past if she breaks alertly from the rail with Perez riding.

Tiptoe won her first two races, both sprints, and rallied to finish second in her first try with stakes horses in the Supernaturel. She is trained by Dino Condilenios

◗ Billie, trained by Hall, is clearly the one to beat in the Debutante for 2-year-old fillies.

◗ The Todd-trained Vintage Man will be favored in the Nursery for 2-year-olds.

◗ Notis the Jewel could be peaking at the right time for trainer Larry Fielding in the Distaff.