Driller, Rock Victor meet again in optional claimer

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Driller, second in his last four starts in stakes races, looks like the one to beat in a $35,000 optional-claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The class relief isn’t that substantial though. Rock Victor, who beat Driller in the B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay on April 30, also has been entered in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds that drew nine horses.

Trained by Mel Snow, Driller is coming off a big effort in the $50,000 River Rock Casino on June 24. With Silvino Morales aboard, he took the lead in midstretch, and it looked like he was home and cooled out in the 6 1/2-furlong race. However, the heavily favored A. P. Zona surged late and edged him by a head at the wire. A. P. Zona came back to beat older horses going 1 1/16 miles in an open allowance race last Sunday.

Driller should appreciate the shape of the race. He can stalk, and there should be an honest and contested pace to set him up. The only time he finished worse than second in eight career starts was in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, where he got off to an awkward start and had to steady at the sixteenth pole.

Driller will break from post 8 under Morales.

Rock Victor set fast fractions in his front-running win in the Stellar’s Jay, and he came back with a solid effort in the $48,000 Western Canada Handicap at Northlands Park on May 27. After dueling, he held on well to finish third in the six-furlong dash won by Trooper John. Trooper John has now won five stakes in a row for trainer Tim Rycroft and likely will be favored in the Grade 3, $150,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 19.

Rock Victor has just one way of going and should be in the mix early after breaking from post 5 with Rico Walcott riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Driller, by Texas Wildcatter
Last 3 Beyers: 84-77-61

◗ As evidenced by his rising Beyer Speed Figures, he is certainly trending in the right direction, and with two solid interim works, he appears to be sitting on another big performance.

Rock Victor, by Storm Victory
Last 3 Beyers: 80-67-59

◗ The speed of the speed could be tough to run down if he clears early.

Tapatio, by Spring At Last
Last 3 Beyers: 56-66-55

◗ The Kentucky-bred gelding was flying in the stretch after getting off to a typically slow start in a $25,000 optional-claiming race in his first race after being claimed by trainer Craig MacPherson.

◗ The shape of the race should work for him, and he could have a bright future if he can ever figure out how to leave the starting gate running.