Calgary Caper goes four turns for first time in Premier's

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall isn’t sure what turned Calgary Caper from a $12,500 claimer at Northlands Park in 2015 into the top older handicap horse at Hastings this year. However, he is confident that Calgary Caper will have no trouble going around four turns for the first time in the Grade 3, $100,000 B.C. Premier’s Handicap at Hastings on Saturday.

The 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses, including 2015 Premier’s winner Killin Me Smalls, who will carry the high weight of 120 pounds.

“I don’t know if it is the different surface here, but I do know he is a nice horse, and he’s feeling great right now,” Hall said.

Calgary Caper took advantage of a fast and contested pace to win the $75,000 S.W. Randall Plate on Sept. 10. He also rallied late to win the $75,000 Pacific Customs Brokers Classic in his previous start.

“As long as there is an honest pace, I think he’s got a shot,” Hall said. “He’s certainly on a roll right now.”

Calgary Caper drew the outside post with Amadeo Perez retaining the mount.

Killin Me Smalls took them all the way in the 2015 Premier’s, but with the speedy Sorryaboutnothing breaking from post 2, he will need a patient ride by Keishan Balgobin.

Trained by Ernie Keller, Killin Me Smalls was coming off back-to-back stakes wins at Northlands Park when he was favored to win the Randall Plate. However, after dueling with Modern through wicked fractions, he faded to fifth in the 1 1/8-mile race.

KEY CONTENDERS

Calgary Caper, by El Corredor

Last 3 Beyers: 86-90-80

◗ He has thrived since he arrived at Hastings this spring, and there should be an honest pace to set him up.

Killin Me Smalls, by Marcavelly
Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-94

◗ The multiple stakes winner is capable of stalking, so it was surprising to see him hook up early with the fastest horse at Hastings when he flopped as the chalk in the Randall Plate.

◗ He could be dangerous if Balgobin can get him to settle in behind Sorryaboutnothing, who is facing a much tougher field than he beat in front-running fashion in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.

Royal Warrior, by Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-80

◗ Trained by David Nicholson, he was running in a stakes race for the first time when he lost by a neck to Killin Me Smalls in the $50,000 Westerner Handicap at Northlands Park on Aug. 20. He proved it was no fluke when he closed with a rush to win the $75,000 Speed to Spare going 1 3/8 miles on Sept. 5.

Square Dancer, by Circular Quay
Last 3 Beyers: 80-89-72

◗ After a disappointing meet, the 2015 local Horse of the Year showed signs of life with improved performances in the Pacific Customs Brokers Classic and Randall Plate.

◗ Trained by Steve Henson, he finished second in the Premier’s last year, and the shape of this year’s edition sets up a lot better for him.