Devil in Disguise will try to pair wins in claiming feature
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After going winless since capturing the $50,000 Count Lathum at Northlands Park as a 3-year-old in 2012, Devil in Disguise finally got over the hump when he won a $25,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles at Hastings in his most recent start Aug. 7. He will try to repeat in a similar race that headlines a seven-race card at Hastings on Friday evening.
Trained by Troy Taylor, Devil in Disguise could be brimming with confidence following his half-length win over Wilo Kat, who came back to finish third in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic last Friday. With Alex Marti aboard, Devil in Disguise stalked a moderate pace and took control of the race when Marti drove him through a hole on the rail just past the three-eighths pole.
He could get a similar trip after breaking from post 4 with David Lopez picking up the mount.
While Devil in Disguise was making his move along the rail, Senor Rojo, who finished third, was rallying four wide around the stretch turn. He had a perfect ground-saving trip and feasted on a fast pace when he won a $25,000 optional-claiming race in his previous start. The Grade 3 winner has been trained by Dave Forster throughout his 58-race career.
Off the Top is the one they will be chasing and is more than capable of carrying his speed the whole way. However, the Robbie Anderson trainee has had only one sprint this year, so he might come up a bit short.
KEY CONTENDERS
Devil in Disguise (Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-83)
◗ He came back with a bullet five-furlong move last Saturday and could take a big step forward following a confidence-building win.
◗ His tactical speed gives him a slight edge over Senor Rojo, who is clearly the main threat.
Senor Rojo (Last 3 Beyers: 70-81-76)
◗ As honest as they come, the classy 9-year-old could get some help up front if Off the Top and possibly Distillery hook up early.
Off the Top (Last 3 Beyers: 71-81-80)
◗ The speed of the speed, he was good enough to force an honest pace and hold on well to finish fourth in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby last year.
◗ He is coming off a solid effort behind the multiple stakes winner Herbie D in a $35,000 optional-claiming dash in his first start this year, and the hot-riding Keishan Balgobin retains the mount. Catch him if you can.