Arkhill begins comeback

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trainer Craig MacPherson is hoping that patience will pay off when Arkhill runs in the feature race at Hastings on Saturday. The classified allowance race with a $50,000 claiming option drew a full field of 10 horses going 6 1/2 furlongs.

Also in the field are a couple of Grade 3 British Columbia Derby winners, Krazy Koffee and Spaghetti Mouse. Both horses want more distance and are using the race as a prep for the 1 1/16-mile John Longden on June 6.

Arkhill adds to an already complicated puzzle. One thing is for sure about Arkhill, though - he likes to win races. He has won 7 of 9 starts and the only time he finished worse than second was in Krazy Koffee's B.C. Derby in 2008. He came right back to win a 1 1/8-mile allowance race but then missed all of 2009.

"He had a physical problem," said MacPherson. "His owner is very patient and instead of turning a small problem into a big on we just gave him the year."

Any doubts handicappers have about Arkhill's readiness should have been dispelled when he worked 6 1/2 furlongs out of the gate in a sensational 1:18 flat on May 7.

Fernando Perez rides Arkhill, who drew the rail.

Senor Rojo, trained by David Forster, doesn't have the winning touch that Arkhill does, but he is a very consistent horse. As a 3-year-old last year, Senor Rojo ran 8 times for a 2-2-3 record. In his first start this year Senor Rojo finished third in a $50,000 optional claiming race April 24.