City Steel aims for third straight win in featured route

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Going into his first start of the year May 18, City Steel had compiled an enviable 14-10-8 record from 53 starts for earnings of $328,273. However, the 9-year-old Kentucky-bred owned and trained by Dave Milburn had never won sprinting, so it was a bit of a surprise when City Steel edged It’s In Command in the last few jumps of the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for $12,500 claimers.

With a strong sprint behind him, he figures to make a big impact when he goes around three turns in a $16,000 claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile claimer drew seven horses and goes as race 4. Post time for the first of seven races is 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

City Steel will be going for a hat trick. He closed out his 2018 campaign with a victory going 1 1/16 miles in a $12,500 claimer on Sept. 5. It was the second of his two wins from eight starts last year. His first came running over a track labeled wet-fast at Santa Anita on March 3. He came from well back in the one-mile race for $10,000 claimers. It was City Steel’s first start for Milburn, who with trainer Bob Hess Jr. acting on his behalf claimed him for $12,500 on Jan. 13.

Instead of rallying from well back, City Steel raced near a modest pace in his win here last year, and he came from a stalking position in his recent victory with Amadeo Perez aboard. He drew post 2, and with decent tactical speed, he should get a nice trip from a forward position.

KEY CONTENDERS

City Steel, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 63-75-65

◗ He’s pretty honest, ran a huge race sprinting, and figures to thrive going a distance he has seven wins at.

The All Button, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 61-57-48

◗ Trained by Phil Hall, he does his best work when he’s involved early and will likely be the one they have to run down if he breaks alertly with Enrique Gonzalez aboard. Gonzalez, who was aboard when The All Button chased a fast pace before tiring in a $25,000 claiming sprint May 25, has won with 48 percent of his mounts from Hall at the meet.

Totality, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 56-83-72

◗ He didn’t do much in his first start here for trainer Steve Henson, but he was sprinting, and he is a much better horse going long. His 83 Beyer from his win in his previous race, which came going 1 1/16 miles in a $16,000 claiming race for nonwinners of two at Oaklawn Park, puts him squarely in the picture.