Bully Cat tries to build on debut

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The local juvenile fillies get their first crack at added money in the Timber Music Stakes at Hastings Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong feature drew eight horses and they'll all be going around two turns for the first time.

Two horses sired by Holy Bull - Bully Cat and Chelsey's Image - appear to be strong contenders. A Kentucky-bred, Bully Cat scored an easy five-length win when she debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Stampede Park June 9. Bully Cat is trained by Ron Grieves and will be ridden by Jake Barton.

Trainer Gary Demorest rarely has his first-time starters fully cranked up, and he was encouraged by the way Chelsey's Image ran in her debut going 3 1/2 furlongs June 17. Chelsey's Image made a strong move from a stalking position but came up just short, finishing second to Born to Be Bad.

"I was very pleased with her race and it should set her up nicely for the Timber Music Stakes," Demorest said at the time.

Chelsey's Image, who will be ridden by Andrew Ward, came back to work a very good five furlongs in 1:00.60 July 2.

Zaylaway, who is trained by Janet Armstrong, was a stubborn winner over Cahill Casey in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race June 29.

Trainer Dave Forster has entered a couple of first-time starters. Both With Vision and Service Ribbon were bred in Kentucky and have been extensively prepped.