Class drop key move for The Visualizer

VANCOUVER, British Columbia The Visualiser will be looking for his first win since 2006 when he drops into a first-level allowance race that has a $35,000 claiming option at Hastings Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong feature for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as the eighth race.

A 5-year-old son of Giants Causeway, The Visualiser has started only 13 times in his career. He was stakes-placed in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby in 2006 but he started only twice in 2007, finishing second and fifth in $50,000 optional sprints.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, The Visualizer started 2008 by running a very good race to finish second behind Bank Emblem in a $50,000 optional race on May 3. In his next start The Visualiser forced the issue early before tiring to finish third to Bank Emblem again on May 19. Bank Emblem figures to be the first or second choice in the B.C. Cup Sprint on Aug. 4. This is a much easier spot, and from the looks of The Visualisers bullet half-mile work on July 5, he could be tough to handle.

Pedro Alvarado has the mount.

There is plenty of speed in the field and Sly Striker should get a nice trip from just off of the likely fast pace. Sly Striker, who is trained by Rosann Anderson, won a $25,000 claiming race in his initial start this year and then came back with a solid effort to finish second in a $35,000 optional sprint on June 14. He will be ridden by Dave Wilson.