Bearrock N Roll looks to duplicate last standout performance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – If Bearrock N Roll can come close to repeating his sharp performance in a first-level optional $30,000 claiming race Aug. 15, he will be tough to beat in a similar race at Hastings on Friday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and will go as race 3.

Bearrock N Roll, trained by Craig MacPherson, earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure for his win over Slews Boy in his last start. That represents the second-best Beyer at the current meet, only surpassed by the 99 Teide received for his win in the George Royal Stakes. It was by far the best Beyer that Bearrock N Roll has earned in his career and it was also his first win this year. He is certainly eligible to bounce but he looked very sharp when he worked a bullet four furlongs in 47.40 seconds Sept. 9 and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him come back with another strong effort.

Bearrock N Roll has good speed but doesn’t need the lead and figures to get a stalking trip behind Woombroom Express.

Amadeo Perez picks up the mount from leading rider Fernando Perez, who will miss the rest of the meet due to medical problems.

B R Remark will be making his first start of the year and indicated his readiness with a bullet five-furlong move in 59.80 seconds Sept. 3. Trained by Brian Giesbrecht, B R Remark is a multiple sprint stakes winner and is the top money earner in the field with $205,695. He closed out his 2008 campaign with wins in the PNE Presidents Speed Handicap and the $54,000 Express. Last year, however, he went winless in six starts with four third-place finishes.

Woombroom Express, trained by Quint McCabe, will undoubtedly be the one they have to catch. Woombroom Express set a quick pace before tiring to finish fourth in Bearrock N Roll’s breakout performance and in his previous race he forced the issue early before fading in the B.C. Cup Sprint. Woombroom Express’s last win came in the 2009 B.C. Cup Sprint. In his best race this year, he finished second by a head to Cardinal Zin in a $50,000 optional claiming race June 5.

Slew’s Boy was sent off as the lukewarm favorite when he finished second to Bearrock N Roll last time.

Soldiers Return and Red Wrangler round out the field.