Break is key for Heaven on Hold

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Heaven on Hold paid $32.50 when she upset the $50,000 Brighouse Belles on May 3. She will be a lot shorter price when she runs in a fourth-level allowance race for fillies and mares at Hastings on Saturday.

The 6 1/2-furlong feature also carries a claiming option of $75,000. Only two of Heaven on Hold's wins, both stakes races, count against her, so she is eligible for the condition. Her other stakes win was in the $50,000 Tiburon Stakes at Golden Gate in early 2008.

Heaven on Hold, who is trained by Troy Taylor, will decide her own destiny. If she breaks as well as she did in the Brighouse Belles, she will be tough to catch. However, she has broken poorly in a few of her races, and if she doesn't break with the field, Littlemiss Allison figures to benefit the most.

"She's usually pretty good leaving there so I'm not too worried about her getting left," said Taylor. "This seemed like a good spot for her. We have Holy Nova and Lady Raj for the Senate Appointee so we'll keep Heaven on Hold sprinting for now."

Mario Gutierrez rides Heaven on Hold.

Trainer Greg Track said he was looking for an easier spot for Littlemiss Allison after she finished third behind Heaven on Hold in the Brighouse Belles.

"It came up a little tougher than I expected," said Tracy. "I didn't expect to see Heaven on Hold come back in this spot."

If a speed duel does develop between Heaven on Hold and Littlemiss Allison, Wind Storm figures to pick up the pieces in the stretch.