Bearrock N Roll back routing in Monday claimer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Bearrock N Roll will try to win for the 24th time when he runs in a $16,000 claiming race at Hastings on Monday. The horse he will have to catch and beat in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that drew six horses is Go for Guinness.
Post time for the first race is 4 p.m. Pacific.
Twenty-two of Bearrock N Roll’s wins have come for trainer Craig MacPherson, who claimed him on behalf of owner Bob Leffler for $25,000 on Oct. 26, 2008. Bearrock N Roll has been very reliable at Hastings, compiling a 22-10-3 record from 58 starts, and he is coming off another solid effort as the runner-up behind Go for Guinness going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $12,500 claiming race Aug. 14.
Bearrock N Roll can sprint, but the classy 10-year-old seems to be a better horse going around three turns at this point in his career. He had too much ground to make up in his last start, but he should be sitting just off Go for Guinness early and might be able to wear him down late with Richard Hamel retaining the mount.
MacPherson also entered Bluegrass Pride, who is coming off a win in a $5,000 optional-claiming race Aug. 21.
Go for Guinness, trained by Dave Forster, projects to be on the lead and should be able to set moderate fractions. If MacPherson elects to sacrifice Bluegrass Pride early, Go for Guinness is capable of stalking, however.
KEY CONTENDERS
Bearrock N Roll (Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-73)
◗ A seven-time winner last year, he’s only had one bad race from six starts at the current meet and will appreciate the chance to stretch out to a middle distance following a couple of solid efforts sprinting.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Hastings, MacPherson has a 29 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route.
Go for Guinness (Last 3 Beyers: 74-55-75)
◗ The shape of the race should suit him, and he owns the best Beyer Speed Figure at the distance, so he won’t mind the added yardage following a sharp win in his latest sprint.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Hastings, Forster has a 27 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route.
Iscar (Last 3 Beyers: 73-69-69)
◗ Trained by Dino Condilenios, the deep closer is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes but is going to need some help up front.
◗ DRF Formulator shows that over the past five years at Hastings, Condilenios has a 25 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route.