Change of scenery should suit Miner Heat

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall is hoping for a big effort from Miner Heat when the Oklahoma-bred gelding runs in an allowance race for 3-year-olds on Sunday at Hastings.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash is for horses who have not won two races, or British Columbia-breds who have not won three. There also is a $25,000 claiming option, but none in the field of eight is in for the tag. The feature goes as race 6 on a seven-race program that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

If Miner Heat runs as well as he did in his debut in a maiden special race for statebreds at Will Rogers Downs on March 20, he could be tough to beat. He forced the issue early and then drew off to win the 5 1/2-furlong dash by 11 1/4 lengths.

Following his blowout win, he was purchased from owner, breeder, and trainer Francisco Bravo by Peter Redekop, and he made his next two starts for trainer Blaine Wright over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields. He showed speed before finishing fifth in first-level optional claimer May 19, and then got shuffled back early before finishing seventh in a similar race June 8.

He will be running with blinkers for the first time Sunday.

“He might not have cared for the Tapeta,” Hall said. “He’s been here for about three weeks and he seems to like this surface. We worked him with blinkers, and he seemed to be a bit more focused. Hopefully, he’ll be that way when he runs Sunday.”

Amadeo Perez will be aboard Miner Heat when he breaks from post 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miner Heat, by Latent Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 54-64-75

◗ He was very impressive in his only start on dirt, and the runner-up from that race earned a 65 Beyer Speed Figure when he finished second in a maiden special weight race on turf at Canterbury Downs in his next start.

◗ He should find these easier than those he was facing at Golden Gate.

◗ Hall has a 24 percent strike rate and $2.47 return on investment with new faces the past five years.

Slew’s Da Boss, by Cause to Believe

Last 3 Beyers: 74-72-60

◗ He should appreciate the class relief and the move back to a sprint after finishing fifth in the 1 1/16-mile Chris Loseth Handicap here July 1.

◗ Trained by Mel Snow, he finished third in the River Rock Casino two starts back, and this will be the first time he hasn’t run in a stakes race since he won his debut last July 28.

Mighty Mick, by Sungold

Last 3 Beyers: 65-59-58

◗ Trained by Jim Brown, he should be okay with the cutback in distance after finishing second by a head going around three turns for the first time in a first-level allowance race July 8.