Daz Lin Dawn faces only four in Emerald Downs Handicap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall is hoping for a big effort from Jazz Lady in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings on Sunday. However, he is realistic about the Louisiana-bred’s chances of winning the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-old fillies that drew five horses.

“When you see Nancy, tell her not to beat up on us too much,” he said.

Hall was referring to Nancy Betts, the trainer of Daz Lin Dawn, who will be a prohibitive favorite to win her third straight stakes.

Due to Daz Lin Dawn’s overwhelming presence, there will be no show wagering, which is unusual at Hastings when five horses are in the field. She will carry 122 pounds, conceding 10 to 13 pounds to her opponents.

Daz Lin Dawn was a decent 2-year-old, winning two sprints and finishing second going 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Fantasy.

Filling into her large frame, she blossomed over the winter and has been nothing less than sensational in her two starts this year. She romped by 8 3/4 lengths in the B.C. Cup Dogwood and was under wraps when she scored by 6 3/4 lengths in the $50,000 Ross McLeod.

There was speculation that the Emerald Downs Handicap wouldn’t fill, and Betts was considering running Daz Lin Dawn against the boys in the River Rock Casino. To help make the Emerald Downs go, she also entered Morning Blurs.

“It would have been interesting to try the boys, but I am thrilled this race went,” said Betts. “It’s a long year, and the easier it is on her, the better chance she has of staying sound. I have waited 30 years to have a horse like her, and right now, she couldn’t be better.”

Daz Lin Dawn drew post 4, with Richard Hamel retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Daz Lin Dawn, by Popular
Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-60

◗ How good was her win in the Ross McLeod? The runner-up, Yukon Belle, won a $25,000 optional-claiming race in her next start, and third-place finisher Anstrum romped in the $51,000 Red Smith at Northlands Park on June 16.

Sail On By, by Finality
Last 2 Beyers: 33-56

◗ Trained by Cindy Krasner, the sister to three stakes winners rallied to win a maiden special weight race in her first start as a 3-year-old and just her second start overall.

◗ There will be speed coming back to her, and if she takes the expected move forward, she could round out the exacta.

Jazz Lady, by Mizzen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 55-66-32

◗ The speed of the speed, she will be making her first start for Hall, who claimed her on behalf of Peter Redekop for $25,000 on June 3.

“She’s fast, and she gets in light,” said Hall, who over the past five years has a 27 percent strike rate with newly claimed horses.