Arabella's Muse delivers as favorite in Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Arabella’s Muse, with leading rider Richard Hamel aboard, scored a game one-length win over Hollywood Miss in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares at Hastings on Sunday. She paid $5.70 as a slight favorite over Hollywood Miss.

Arabella’s Muse broke sharply and was quickly joined by Hollywood Miss on her outside. They raced as a team while posting moderate fractions of 23.87 and 47.84 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile race. The race was on when David Loped gave his cue to Hollywood Miss at the quarter pole, but she couldn’t get past Arabella’s Muse, who drew clear in deep stretch. Touching Promise stalked the leaders the whole way while finishing third in a solid effort.

“She was sharp today,” said Hamel. “She was very comfortable and when Hollywood Miss came to her, she really picked up the bit.”

The final time was 1:44.58.

Arabella’s Muse, a 4-year-old B.C.-bred filly, is trained by Mike Anderson.

Hamel wins third stakes of weekend aboard Modern

Modern broke sharply and never looked back while winning the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill. He paid $7.50 as the second choice in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

Modern, owned by Swift Thoroughbreds, Inc., was ridden by Richard Hamel, who earlier on the card won the $50,000 Vancouver Sun with Arabella’s Muse. It was the third stakes win on the weekend for the leading rider at Hastings. Saturday Hamel won the $50,000 River Rock Casino with Bluegrass Angus.

With the favorite Title Contender stalking, Modern posted interior fractions of 23.29 and 46.50 seconds. Title Contender tried to put pressure on him going down the backstretch but was repelled and dropped back. Modern took a 2 1/2-length lead into the stretch and never looked threatened by longshot Dontmesswithkitten, who rallied to finish second. Classic Sense finished third.

The final time was 1:43.43.

“He settled nicely,” said Hamel. “He was going pretty fast, but he’s a fast horse.”

Modern is trained by Dino Condilenios.

“He’s really matured as a 5-year-old,” said Condilenios. “I’ve always been high on him but he was a very nervous horse until this year. He is focused now and right on top of his game.”