Brackendale eyes Redekop Classic

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Nancy Betts is considering the $100,000 Redekop Classic on Aug. 3 at Hastings as the next start for Brackendale. Acting on behalf of owner Rick Hunter, Betts claimed Brackendale out of an $8,000 conditional-claiming race June 6. In his two starts for Betts, he won a $25,000 optional-claiming race June 21 and came back with another front-running win in a $25,000 claiming race July 5. He earned 83 Beyer Speed Figures in both races, which isn’t that far off the 89 Beyer that Mr. Bowling received for winning the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor’s on July 5.

If Brackendale does run in the Redekop Classic, he will be stretching out to a middle distance for the first time. He also will have to deal with Modern, who likely will be the one they will have to run down in the 1 1/8-mile race.

“He seems comfortable when I’ve had him behind horses in the mornings, so I think he’ll rate,” said Betts. “For $100,000, it’s worth taking a shot at seeing if he’ll go that far.”

Brackendale is an arts community halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia. Coincidentally, it’s where Hunter lives.