Blue Law surprises in Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Blue Law upset heavily favored Quick and Silver in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural at Hastings on Sunday.

Blue Law posted a final time of 1:16.92 and paid $37.70 for his 3 1/2-length victory in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up.

Blue Law broke sharply from post 5 in the 11-horse field and it looked like he might be part of a three-horse duel with Modern and Quick and Silver. However, going into the first turn jockey Amadeo Perez eased him off the pace while Modern and Quick and Silver took the field through a half-mile in 45:07 seconds. He engaged the leaders heading into the second turn, emerged with a clear lead turning for home and drew off to win decisively. Quick and Silver held on to finish second. Bistraya and Trooper John rallied to dead-heat for third.

The final time was 1:16.92.

Acting on behalf of Tim Bankers, trainer Manny Ortiz claimed Blue Law for $15,000 at Emerald Downs on July 15. The Inaugural was Blue Law’s third win for Bankers and Ortiz, and he was coming off a runner-up finish in an open allowance race at Turf Paradise March 11. The Inaugural was his first start for trainer Cindy Krasner.

Alliford Bay wins Brighouse Belles

Earlier on the card Alliford Bay paid $2.50 for her easy 3 1/2-length victory in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares.

Alliford Bay broke on top from the outside post in the seven-horse field and was allowed to settle just off the pace while racing wide going into the first-turn by jockey Rico Walcott. She looked comfortable stalking Jakobs Rocket Girl and C U At Eau Claire, who were on even terms through a half-mile in 45.83 seconds. She collared the duo just past the half-mile mark before taking control of the race at the top of the stretch. Good Luck to You came from a stalking position to finish second. Jakobs Rocket Girl held on for third.

The final time was 1:17.04.

“She broke well, but I didn’t want to get into a duel,” Walcott said. “She was very relaxed, and when I asked her to go she was full of run. She also galloped out strongly.”

It was the third stakes win for the daughter of City Zip who is trained by Blaine Wright. She was coming off a third-place finish in the $54,650 Camilla Urso at Golden Gate Fields on March 17. The Camilla Urso was her first start as a 4-year-old.

“She needed the race at Golden Gate,” Wright said. “When I saw how she looked when she got off the van in Seattle I was pretty confident she was going to run a big race up here. It also helped that she drew the outside post. “

Alliford Bay is owned by Peter Redekop.