Crazy Prophet sharp for B.C. Cup Classic repeat bid

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The $50,000 British Columbia Cup Classic Handicap headlines the eight-race closing-day card Sunday at Hastings, and Crazy Prophet will try to win Classic for the second year in a row. He will have to be on his toes to beat a very sharp Power Corrupt in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred or sired in British Columbia or Washington.

The Classic, which drew nine horses, is supported by three $50,000 B.C. Cup races – the Debutante for 2-year-old fillies, the Nursery for 2-year-olds, and the Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares

Trained by John Snow, Crazy Prophet hasn’t won since he beat Fifer in the Classic last year, but he is coming into the race on top of his game.

In his last start, with Amadeo Perez aboard, he rallied to finish second to Awesome Slate in the Grade 3, $100,000 B.C. Premier’s on Oct. 9. He also was the runner-up to Highway Boss in the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate Handicap on Sept. 9. By design, the 4-year-old British Columbia-bred has only had five starts at the meet.

“He just gets better in the fall, so we gave him a good break this summer,” Snow said. “He is such a cool horse, and he is doing great right now. After he runs Sunday, we’re going to ship him to Northern California where he’ll be trained by Blaine Wright.”

Running over a sloppy track, Crazy Prophet came from a stalking position to win the Classic last year. Vancouver is in the middle of a rain forest, and the last couple of days here has been more rain than forest. The trend is supposed to continue through the weekend.

He drew post 3 with Perez riding again.

Power Corrupt has improved dramatically since trainer Jim Brown haltered him for $4,000 on behalf of Mitch Sutherland on July 16. The 2015 Jack Diamond Futurity winner has won three of four starts for his new connections, and he was an impressive front-running winner Oct. 1 going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 optional-claiming race.

He should be among the early leaders after he breaks from post 8 with Sahin Civaci retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Crazy Prophet, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-65

◗ He’s fresh, can handle a wet track, and is peaking at the right time. There should also be enough speed to set up his good late move.

Power Corrupt, by Storm Victory
Last 3 Beyers: 81-71-68

◗ He’s never been better, and he’s versatile so Civaci will have more than one option if he doesn’t break on top.

◗ The past two months, Civaci has won with 38 percent of his mounts and has a $9.94 ROI riding for Brown.

Lord Vancouver, by Teide
Last 3 Beyers: 65-71-78

◗ The two-time stakes winner has trained forwardly for leading trainer Phil Hall since he finished last in the Randall. He won the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes in his previous start Aug. 25.