Day Raider takes next step toward return to stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With good reason, trainer Craig MacPherson is expecting Day Raider to be among the top horses in the older stakes division at Hastings this year. MacPherson is hoping Day Raider will confirm his assessment when he runs in an allowance race for nonwinners of three on Sunday at Hastings.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3- and 4-year-olds is race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Day Raider will be making his second start of the year following a fifth-place finish going 6 1/2 furlongs at the same level June 9.

“He’s a much better horse going longer, and I think he showed last year he is a legitimate stakes horse,” MacPherson said.

As a 3-year-old last year, Day Raider came from well back to win the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial here Aug. 6. Instead of going directly into the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 8, Day Raider traveled to Northlands Park where he was the runner-up to Sky Promise in the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby

Sky Promise repeated in the B.C. Derby, and Day Raider, who was making his third start within a month, finished fifth. It also didn’t help the late-running Day Raider that they were walking during the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile race. He came back with a strong effort in the Grade 3 Premier’s, finishing a close fourth in the 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

“He’s a little behind because he arrived late,” MacPherson said. “If he runs as well as I expect, this will be a good stepping-stone for him to get back into the stakes division.”

Day Raider will break from post 5 in the nine-horse field with Antonio Reyes riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Day Raider, by New Year’s Day

Last 3 Beyers: 67-77-73

◗ The only stakes winner in the field, he has a class edge over his rivals and there appears to be enough speed to set up his late move.

◗ With a race behind him, he figures to take a big step forward for MacPherson, who the past five years has a 22 percent strike rate and $2 ROI with horses making their second start back while stretching out to a route.

Harry’s Hammer, by Rosberg

Last 3 Beyers: 53-62-72

◗ The Robbie Anderson-trained 4-year-old also does his best work going longer. With a couple of sprints behind him, he could sitting on a big effort.

EL Noble, by Istan

Last 3 Beyers: NA-67-66

◗ Trained by Milton Palma, he was the runner-up to Day Raider in the Churchill last year. He seemed to be primed for a big effort after he finished a close fourth to Slew’s Da Boss in the same race Day Raider exits. However, he stumbled at the gate and lost his rider when he was favored in a first-level allowance race on Sunday at Century Mile.

◗ He has decent speed and figures to get a nice trip sitting just off Spokane’s Gem, who seems a bit suspect at the distance.