Bluegrass Angus making first start of year
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Bluegrass Angus makes his 4-year-old debut in an optional $50,000 claiming race at Hastings on Sunday. Last year’s local sophomore champ hasn’t started since he went unplaced in the $100,000 Perryville at Keeneland on Oct. 31, but trainer Craig MacPherson is expecting a strong performance in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint that drew eight horses.
“He’s doing pretty darn good right now,” MacPherson said. “He cracked a quarter recently, but it’s a long way from his heart.”
Bluegrass Angus displayed a lot of heart and talent in winning three stakes at Hastings last year. He also came within a neck of winning the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. It actually looked like he was home and cooled out when he opened up a clear lead in midstretch. However, he stalled late and was nipped at the wire in the 1 1/8-mile race by Academic, who was later voted the top 3-year-old filly in Canada.
Bluegrass Angus can be full of himself at times, and in his first start at Hastings last year, he probably lost the Jim Coleman Province in the paddock. He still ran a big race to be the runner-up behind Cederberg.
“I imagine he’ll be a mittful in his first start back, but he has matured quite a bit,” MacPherson said. “He’s been training extremely well, but he will have to have his running shoes on.”
Bluegrass Angus has excellent speed but can stalk. It will be interesting to see how the race develops after he breaks from post No. 2 with Richard Hamel aboard.
Breaking from the rail is the vastly improved Crackdown, who is coming off a runner-up finish in the $75,000 John Longden 6000 for trainer Patty Leaney.
On behalf of Kay and Sue Ohashi, Leaney claimed Crackdown for $4,000 on Aug. 21. In his first start for his new connections, Crackdown romped in a $6,250 claimer for nonwinners of three on April 30 and then shocked just about everybody ($70.90) when he won an optional $35,000 claiming race May 15. He proved that his sharp win was no fluke with his solid effort in the Longden.
Similar to Bluegrass Angus, Crackdown is fast but showed he can stalk in the Longden.
key contenders
Bluegrass Angus, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 72-83-87
◗ He is the class of the party and may have tipped his hand when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.60 seconds June 5.
Crackdown, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 86-83-67
◗ He looked very relaxed sitting just off Modern in the Longden, but if he breaks on top, he likely will be the one they have to catch.
Twistgrips, by Benchmark
Last 3 Beyers: 74-81-74
◗ He is going for the hat trick for trainer John Snow and could get it if the top two get carried away up front.