Big effort expected from Capilano Canyon in Loseth Handicap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Capilano Canyon may have lost his first start as a 3-year-old, but last year’s local juvenile champion was much the best in the six-furlong allowance race on July 6, which served as a prep for Monday’s $40,000 Chris Loseth Handicap. The 6 1/2-furlong Loseth drew seven horses and goes as race 4 on an eight-race card that begins at 2:30 p.m. Pacific.

With Jose Asencio aboard, Capilano Canyon got bumped pretty hard soon after leaving the starting gate in the July 6 race. He was given a lot to do, but he almost got up in time, losing by a nose to Synergy.

Trained by Dave Forster, Capilano Canyon earned his championship by virtue of his 2 1/4-length win in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation on Oct. 14. It was an impressive performance as he stalked the early leaders before drawing off to win the 1 1/16-mile race. He can sprint, too. He won his debut going 3 1/2 furlongs and he would have won the 6 1/2-furlong Jack Diamond Futurity with a clean trip.

Forster is looking for a big effort Monday, but the 84-year-old trainer is using the race as a stepping-stone to the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine on Sept. 12.

“He’s a nice horse so we may as well dream big,” said Forster. “He should have won his first start this year. He came out of it in great shape and I expect him to run a strong race Monday.”

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A son of Abraaj, Capilano Canyon will break from the rail with Amadeo Perez riding him for the first time.

Capilano Canyon is out of Remarkable Miss, who was a three-time stakes winner for trainer Barbara Heads.

Heads trains Synergy, who not only beat Capilano Canyon July 6, but also finished in front of him when he got the winner’s share of the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity via disqualification.

The son of Sungold does his best running late and should have plenty of speed to run at.

Antonio Reyes, who is out with an injury, rode Synergy in all of his previous races. Efrain Hernandez picks up the mount.

Speed will be provided by Yo Zackly and Baktura.

Yo Zackly finished third to Capilano Canyon in his debut and then ran off and hid going 3 1/2 furlongs in his second outing.

The Steve Henson-trained son of Lent will be trying two turns for the first time while making his first start in over 13 months.

Baktura came up empty after forcing the pace on July 6. Trained by Craig MacPherson, he was making his first start since he finished second to Capilano Canyon in the Ascot. He crossed the finish line in front in the Jack Diamond Futurity but was disqualified to last for causing interference to Bakken the U S S R, who jumped over the rail.