Classic Ideals faces a pair of Bears

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Bear Stables Ltd. entry of Bear's Ali and Bear Most Wanted should be a slight favorite over Classic Ideals in the fourth race at Hastings on Friday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds running for a top claiming price of $17,500 drew eight horses, and will serve as the feature for the eight-race card that begins at 7 p.m.

Trained by Dale Greenwood, Bear Most Wanted looked good winning a $25,000 maiden race on May 24 and then set the pace before tiring to finish fifth in a $50,000 optional race won by El Cugat on June 14. El Cugat figures to be one of the favorites in the Chris Loseth Stakes on July 1. Bear Most Wanted should appreciate the easier company he is facing here.

Bear's Ali will be making his first start for Greenwood. It will also be his first race over dirt, and he has worked well over the Hastings surface since he arrived here in late May. Bear's Ali won a B-level maiden special weight race at Woodbine last November, but in two starts with winners he finished out of the money both times. In his most recent start, he finished last in a $50,000 claiming race at Woodbine on May 9.

Pedro Alvarado rides Bear Most Wanted, and Kevah Nicholls has the call on Bear's Ali.

Classic Ideals has yet to run a poor race in his short career. Trained by Craig MacPherson, Classic Ideals just missed when he debuted in a $7,500 maiden race for British Columbia-breds on April 19, and then he cruised to a front-running seven-length win when he came back for the same price on May 18. Classic Ideals showed some versatility when he came from slightly off the pace to win a $12,500 claiming sprint on June 13, and he figures to get a similar type of trip here.

Classic Ideals will break from the rail with Richard Hamel in the irons.

Flying Katana is looking for his first win this year. Trained by Terry Jordan, Flying Katana closed out his 2-year-old season with a 6 1/2-length win in a $25,000 claiming race on Sept. 19, but in two starts this year his best finish was a distant second behind Slickster in a six-furlong $25,000 claiming race on April 26. In his latest start, Flying Katana ran a dull race, finishing fifth in a $25,000 claimer on May 16.

Situation Comedy and Wildwood Swing have good speed, and they could set it up for Braygorn or Nuclear Prospect.