Daz Lin Dawn pointing to Emerald Downs Stakes at Hastings

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Nancy Betts said Daz Lin Dawn came out of her win in the $50,000 Ross McLeod for 3-year-old fillies last Monday in excellent shape and will be pointed to the $50,000 Emerald Downs at Hastings on June 25. It is also possible that Daz Lin Dawn will run at Emerald Downs in the Irish Day Stakes the same day.

“We’re keeping our options open,” Betts said.

Betts would prefer to stay at Hastings, where Daz Lin Dawn has been perfect in two-turn sprints. It is easy to overlook her debut, where she was pulled up soon after the start in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special race, and there was nothing wrong with her runner-up finish behind Yukon Belle going 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Fantasy in her final start as a 2-year-old.

The reason Daz Lin Dawn might end up running in the Irish Day is the fashion in which she won the B.C. Cup Dogwood by 8 3/4 lengths in her first start this year, and then how easily she handled her four opponents in the Ross McLeod. With Richard Hamel aboard, she appeared to be well within herself when she pulled away from the field at the quarter pole. The 6 3/4-length margin flattered Yukon Belle, who was the runner-up. It is hard to say if there will be enough horses interested in running against her at Hastings in the Emerald.

“Hopefully, the race will fill,” Betts said. “Gordie said there should be enough for the race to go. It would be nice to stay home. If not, we’ll head to Seattle.”

Betts was referring to Hamel’s agent, Gordie Rumble, who also handles leading rider David Lopez and Romario Saunders.

A. P. Zona points to River Rock

Trainer Phil Hall is looking forward to bringing A. P. Zona back in the $50,000 River Rock Casino on June 24. Making his first start for Hall in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province last Monday, A. P. Zona came from a stalking position to win the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds by four widening lengths. He was ridden by Enrique Gonzalez.

“He’s doing great, and I assume he’s staying here,” Hall said.

The son of Creative Cause is owned by Peter Redekop, who has horses in training up and down the West Coast and at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta. Trainer Blaine Wright claimed A. P. Zona on behalf of Redekop for $40,000 out of a winning race at Santa Anita on March 9.

“He’s a big strong horse, and from the way he ran, I don’t think he’ll have any trouble stretching out,” Hall said.

Following the Province, Gonzalez said he thought A. P. Zona would be a better horse going longer. His first chance to go a middle distance will be in the $50,000, 1 1/16-mile Chris Loseth on July 15.