Commander looks to bounce back in Sunday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Commander has been one of the leaders in the older handicap division in western Canada since 2012. He won the Grade 3 BC Premier’s Handicap at Hastings in 2012 and 2013, and he’s been almost unbeatable at Northlands Park, compiling a 9-1-1 record from 11 starts in Edmonton.

In his first start as a 7-year-old, however, he finished last in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes at Hastings. Could time be catching up with the classy Kentucky-bred gelding who has amassed earnings of $573,657?

We’ll know more after he runs in an optional $50,000 claimer that will serve as the feature race Sunday at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew nine horses, and it is a puzzle as to which one will end up getting his picture taken.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Commander certainly is better going around three turns, four in the case of his wins in the 1 3/8-mile Premier’s, but he has won sprinting. The last time he ran at this level, he won going six furlongs over a sloppy track in his first start last year.

He has worked sharply since the George Royal and figures to get a nice trip from a stalking position in a race in which the leaders probably won’t be going very fast up front. He should be the winner if he brings anything close to his best stuff. Commander is in for the $50,000 claiming price, and David Lopez rides.

Key contenders

Commander (Last 3 Beyers: 57-66-86)

* He came back with two sharp works following a dull effort in the George Royal and could take a big step forward with a race behind him.

Formulator Fact: Taylor has a 21 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.

Go for Guinness (Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-78)

* Trained by Dave Forster, he’s usually in the mix and is coming off a big effort behind Brass and Gold in a $35,000 optional-claiming race May 3. It was his first start since he finished second in the $75,000 BC Cup Classic on Aug. 4.

* He has speed, should move forward in his second start back, and could be dangerous if he gets the early lead.

Brass and Gold (Last 3 Beyers: 80-73-65)

* The 2013 BC Cup Classic winner surprised a lot of people when he won sprinting for the first time since 2012.

“He’s not really a sprinter, but neither were most of the horses he beat,” trainer Barbara Heads said.

* He faces a similar horses here.

* Heads also entered Tracker, who is also coming off a win in a $25,000 claiming sprint May 9.