Distance a concern for Day Raider in return

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Day Raider, fourth in the Grade 3 Premier’s in his last start, will receive class relief when he makes his 4-year-old debut in an allowance race restricted to nonwinners of three on Sunday at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3- and 4-year-olds drew eight horses and appears to be wide open.

Day Raider will appreciate the class relief, but he is a better horse going around three turns instead of the two turns of Sunday’s race and might not be able to get up in time Sunday. Craig MacPherson did have him ready to roll first time out last year. With Antonio Reyes aboard, he came from well back to win a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race on May 27.

He improved as the distances got longer, though, and after winning the 1 1/16-mile Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial on Aug. 6, he rallied to finish second going 1 3/8 miles in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby on Aug. 25 at Northlands Park. Following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby, he came within 1 1/2 lengths of pulling off a mild upset in the Premier’s.

MacPherson is hoping for a good effort from Day Raider, but is not necessarily expecting him to win.

“He’s training well, but he is going to need the pace to fall apart if he’s going to get up in time,” he said. “He needs to run, and hopefully this race will give us a good idea of how he has transitioned into an older horse.”

Day Raider will break from post 5 with Reyes riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Finally Gottcha, by Gottcha Gold

Beyers: 57-30

◗ He is the least experienced horse in the field, but he was impressive beating next-out winner Day Flyer in his second start as a 2-year-old and has been working lights out for trainer Clint Willson this spring.

◗ He is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare who won five races, and he galloped out a strong five furlongs in 59.20 seconds following his sharp four-furlong work June 2.

◗ Richard Hamel rides and he will likely have the British Columbia-bred gelding in the mix early after he breaks from post 6.

Boundary Bay, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 59-85-74

◗ The last time he ran in a race that did not have a name attached to it he won a nonwinners-of-two allowance race here in his first start as a 3-year-old.

◗ The Glen Todd-trained trained Washington-bred gelding faded after forcing the pace in the $50,000 Swift Inaugural in his first start this year and could be dangerous from a forward position with Denny Velazquez aboard.

Whiskey Bound, by Afleet Alex

Last 3 Beyers: 64-51-61

◗ Trained by Keith Pedersen, he is perfect in two starts as a 3-year-old. With rising Beyer Speed Figures and being the first foal out of a stakes-winning mare who placed in the Grade 2 Sorrento, he could be on his way to better things.