Diligent Prospect ships in

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Diligent Prospect certainly has the right kind of running style to win the ninth race at Hastings on Saturday. After all, the second-level allowance race with a $35,000 claiming option has plenty of speed signed on, and Diligent Prospect should get a perfect stalking trip in the 6 1/2-furlong feature.

Based at Emerald Downs in the Charles Essex barn, Diligent Prospect is coming off of a third-place finish in a six-furlong $40,000 optional claiming race there May 25. In his previous start, he won a similar race going 5 1/2 furlongs. Diligent Prospect won a stakes sprint going around two turns at Fairplex in 2005, so he shouldn't have any problem handling the tight turns at Hastings.

Essex is having an excellent Emerald Downs meet, with 12 wins from 46 starters. This will be the first horse he has started at Hastings this year. Jockey Kate Repp will travel from Emerald to ride Diligent Prospect.

Soldiers Return is the sharpest horse in the field. A Florida-bred gelding by Lost Soldier, Soldiers Return has won his last four races. His latest win was over P S Commander in a $20,000 claiming race May 24, and he was claimed out of the race by trainer Patricia Leaney. Soldiers Return drew the outside post in the eight-horse field.

Trainer Rosann Anderson had Sly Striker primed for a good effort in his first start this year. Sly Striker came from just off the pace to score by two lengths over Golden Pursuit in a $25,000 claiming race.