Champagne Gal stretches out for Saturday allowance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – It isn’t easy impressing trainer Troy Taylor. After all, the 82-year-old conditioner has been the leading trainer at Hastings seven times, and he’s won just about every major race here except the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. His eyes lit up a bit when he started talking about Champagne Gal, though.

The 3-year-old daughter of Yes It’s True won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race when she debuted with Mario Gutierrez in the irons May 1. She is stretching out to 1 1/16 miles Saturday in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-old fillies that drew five horses.

“She could be a good one,” Taylor said. “She broke bad and then circled the field and still won. Not many horses can do that first time out. Mario gave her a great ride, too.”

Taylor wasn’t surprised she didn’t break with the field, and he has some concerns about her going around three turns in just her second start.

“We’ve had a hard time with her at the starting gate from Day 1,” he said. “She’s been back to the gate since she ran and behaved pretty well, so hopefully she’s starting to get more comfortable. I would have liked to get one more race into her before we stretched her out, so I’m not making a prediction on how she’s going to run.”

Alex Bisono picks up the mount.

Far Niente, fourth in Champagne Gal’s win, came back to win a maiden special weight race June 1. Trainer Craig MacPherson is confident she’ll handle the added distance but was a little concerned about bringing her back this quickly.

“I would have liked a bit more time with her between races, and we were thinking of taking her to Northlands for the Red Smith next Friday,” said MacPherson. “I was a bit surprised this race filled, but she is doing very well, and I would rather keep her at home.”

Richard Hamel retains the mount.

Habida is the only multiple winner in the field, and her second win came Oct. 11 in the one-mile, $53,000 Freedom of the City Stakes at Northlands Park. Trained by Pat Jarvis, Habida chased a fast pace before tiring in a quickly run allowance May 17 in her first start this year. She could be dangerous if she clears early.

Hey Didjanotis figures to be involved early, and Officer Mary should be heard from late.