Burnum, Bluegrass Pride look to close their meets with wins
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Burnum and Bluegrass Pride are the ones to beat on the final Saturday at Hastings.
The 10-race card begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific with a $25,000 claiming race, with Burnum likely favored in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up.
Burnum, trained by Mike Anderson, is a four-time winner at the meet; he’s coming off a $16,000 claiming-race victory for trainer Troy Taylor. Burnum won three races for Anderson before Taylor claimed him for $16,000 on July 10. Anderson and Terry Clyde reclaimed him out of his last race.
In the 1 1/16-mile sixth race, Bluegrass Pride will be doubling his price as he shoots for his fourth straight win in a $16,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up.
His streak began with a win for Anderson in a $5,000 starter/optional-claiming race, where he was claimed by trainer Tara Neigel. In his two starts for Neigel, he was a decisive winner going 1 1/16 miles in $8,000 claiming races Sept. 11 and Oct. 1.
The meet closes Sunday with 10 races, including the B.C. Cup Distaff Handicap and the B.C. Cup Classic Handicap.
RACE 1
KEY CONTENDERS
Burnum, by Roar of the Tiger
Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-72
◗ The versatile 7-year-old hasn’t been worse than third at the current meet. He should get a nice trip stalking what figures to be an honest and contested pace.
Bluegrass Angus, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-76
◗ Trained by Craig MacPherson, the top 3-year-old at Hastings last year is dropping to a new low and could be sitting on a big effort in the third start of his form cycle.
RACE 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Bluegrass Pride, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 79-70-65
◗ He is taking a substantial jump but is on a roll, and as a stakes winner, he has plenty of back class.
Killarney Kid, by Second in Command
Last 3 Beyers: 74-69-61
◗ Trained by Daryl Stewart, he looked like a winner when he sawed off Off the Top in midstretch in a similar race Sept. 24. He was disqualified to second, but it was still a solid effort.
Off the Top, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 69-65-77
◗ The John Snow-trained 5-year-old loves a wet track and likely will be the one to run down.