Condilenios has contenders in both stakes on opening day

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dino Condilenios is counting on Modern running a big race in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural Stakes at Hastings on Sunday. He is hoping Rather Beautiful does the same when she defends her title in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares. The six-furlong sprints share the spotlight on the opening-day eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Modern, who was voted the champion sprinter in British Columbia last year, is clearly the one to beat in the Swift, which drew eight horses and goes as the seventh race. He drew post No. 2, and there isn’t much doubt that Richard Hamel will have him in the race right from the start.

Condilenios had him primed to win his season debut in 2014, and last year, he ran a huge race off a six-month layoff to win the $50,000 George Royal. Despite dueling with Grade 3 Longacres Mile winner Herbie D. through extreme fractions, he was able to hold off Title Contender to win the 6 1/2-furlong George Royal by a neck.

“He runs well fresh, and I expect him to run his race on Sunday,” said Condilenios. “He’s been going steadily since the first week of January, so he should be fit enough.”

Modern is owned by Swift Thoroughbreds Inc., which donated $25,000 toward the purse.

Hollywood Angel looks like the only serious threat. He is racing fit and is coming off a front-running win in an optional $62,500 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles at Golden Gate Fields for trainer Blaine Wright on March 20. He has won sprinting, but he does appear to be a better horse going a middle distance.

Hollywood Angel will be making his first start for trainer Anita Bolton, who sharpened him up with a three-furlong move in 36.20 seconds April 8. Since 2013, Bolton has a 45 percent strike rate with horses making their first start after moving to her barn, according to DRF Formulator.

The Brighouse Bells appears to be a more wide-open event.

Rather Beautiful, Morning Coffee, and Majestic Presence look like the major players. Quatre Cat runs well fresh and could pull off a small upset.

Condilenios likes the way Rather Beautiful is coming up to the race but isn’t sure what to expect from her.

“It’s funny: When I thought she wasn’t doing that well, she ran a huge race to win the Brighouse Belles,” he said. “When I thought she was thriving, she didn’t fire. She seems better than ever, but your guess is as good as mine.”

Rico Walcott rides Rather Beautiful.

Morning Coffee, trained by Rosanne Anderson, will be the one they have to run down. The 4-year-old daughter of Quiet American used her good speed to win four races last year, including the $50,000 Supernaturel in her first start at Hastings. She may have tipped her hand when she worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.60 seconds April 1.

“She is doing great, but I would love to have gotten one more work into her,” said Anderson.

Majestic Presence has just a single win, but she was good enough to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind the champion Take Charge Brandi in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos in 2014. In her only start for trainer Troy Taylor at Hastings last year, she finished third in Morning Coffee’s Supernaturel.

This will be her first start since then, and she has looked sensational in the mornings.