Aragorn has a long way to go

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Aragorn has a lot of catching up to do in order to be compared to his half-brother Spaghetti Mouse, a multiple graded stakes winner who has earned more than $800,000. He could take a big first step when he runs in a first-level allowance race at Hastings on Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile feature for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as the seventh race.

Trained by Lenore DaPonte, who is also the trainer of Spaghetti Mouse, Aragorn is coming off a second-place finish to Tigerheat in a similar race on July 18, earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure of 73. Breaking sharply while carrying 109 pounds, Aragorn was eased into a stalking position by 10-pound apprentice Natasha Sihota. Aragorn made a threatening move on the stretch turn but he couldnt catch Tigerheat, who led from start to finish.

Sihota has taken the rest of the year off, and journeyman rider Dave Wilson picks up the mount. The extra 10 pounds Aragorn will have to pack could be significant going around three turns.

Aragorn will have to deal with other speed in the race as well. If a duel develops, it could set up nicely for Candy King. In his last start, Candy King came from well back to finish a neck behind Aragorn. Considering that Candy King was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time, he could take a big step forward in his second route attempt.