Driller gets elusive first stakes win in John Longden 6000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After many close calls, Driller finally became a stakes winner with an impressive victory in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 at Hastings on Sunday. He paid $19.20 for his two-length win over Calgary Caper in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

Prior to his breakout performance in the Longden, Driller had finished second in five stakes races for trainer Mel Snow. He went into the Longden off a fifth-place finish in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes on May 21.

“He’s been getting better, and since his last race, he really trained well,” said Snow. “He got the kind of trip we were hoping for today.”

With Silvino Morales aboard, Driller broke sharply, and while saving ground along the rail, he sat just off Modern, who posted moderate interior fractions of 24.34 and 48.11 seconds. He moved into serious contention approaching the six-furlong mark, opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn and, after taking a 3 1/2-length lead into the stretch, easily held off the late charge of Calgary Caper.

Calgary Caper rallied from last to finish 4 3/4 lengths in front of Highway Boss. Modern, the lukewarm favorite at just more than 3-1 in the seven-horse field, tired to finish fourth.

The final time was 1:44.3.

A 4-year-old gelding by Texas Wildcatter, Driller was bred in British Columbia by Mel and Fran Snow. Mel Snow owns him in partnership with Don Danard.