Baktura tries to keep Jack Diamond Futurity trophy in the family

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Craig MacPherson hopes history repeats itself when he runs Baktura in the $100,00 Jack Diamond Futurity at Hastings Sunday. Last year MacPherson won the Futurity with Baktura’s half-brother Dat Day.

Baktura is one of many possibilities in the 6 1/2-furlong feature, which drew 10 2-year-olds. It goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Baktura, with Richard Hamel aboard, rallied to win his debut going six furlongs in a maiden special weight race on Aug. 26. He caught the clocker’s attention in two interim works, particularly his bullet five-furlong move in 1:00.20 on Sept. 14.

MacPherson was impressed with Baktura’s debut and is happy with how he is coming into the Futurity.

“I knew he could run a bit, but I was really pleased with how professional he was in his first start,” said MacPherson. “I didn’t know how brave he would be, but he handled it all very well, especially getting dirt thrown in his face. He is doing extremely well right now.”

He will break from post 2 with Hamel up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Baktura, by Bakken

Beyer: 54

◗ He showed he can pass horses in his debut and he should have a fast and contested pace to work with.

Capilano Canyon, by Abraaj

Beyers: 59-56

◗ He couldn’t have been more impressive going 3 1/2 furlongs on June 2 in his debut. Following a setback, he ran like a horse that needed a race when he was the runner-up to Above the Moon in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes Aug. 30.

Dave Forster trainee has trained forwardly since the Sales Stakes.

“I was really pleased with his race in the Sales Stakes,” said Forster. “He went in a little short and came out of it in great shape. He really needed the race and he is training very well right now.”

◗ Rain is in the forecast and Forster wasn’t concerned about how Capilano Canyon would handle an off track.

“He seems to handle a wet track in the mornings, so I don’t think the track condition will be an issue,” he said.

◗ Capilano Canyon will break from post 7 with Jose Ascencio taking over from Antonio Reyes, who rides Synergy for trainer Barbara Heads.

Above the Moon, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 61-25-31

◗ Trained by Phil Hall, he took a huge step forward in his third start in the CTHS Sales Stakes.