Expectations high for Undersecretary

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Undersecretary hasn't developed as quickly as his more illustrious siblings Regal Red and Commodore Craig. Nonetheless, he appears to have a plenty of potential and he looks like the one to beat in the eighth race at Hastings Saturday. The $75,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles drew seven horses, including the B.C. Cup Stellar's Jay winner He's Quite a Guy.

Trainer Robbie Anderson was disappointed when Under-

secretary finished second in a similar race Sept. 10. A win there would have earned him a spot in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. A homebred son of Vying Victor, Undersecretary was sent off as the odds-on choice but broke slowly and was caught behind a very slow pace. Considering how the race unfolded, Undersecretary did very well to finish second behind Windy Day.

In his previous race, Undersecretary was an easy 3 1/4-length winner of a entry-level allowance with a $50,000 claiming option. Undersecretary will be ridden by Pedro Alvarado.

There should be an honest pace, and He's Quite a Guy will likely be one of the horses on or near the lead early in the race. He set honest fractions when he won the Stellar's Jay Aug. 7, but he just couldn't keep up to an extremely fast pace when he finished ninth in the B.C. Derby Sept. 24.

He's Quite a Guy is trained by Gary Demorest and will be ridden by Felipe Valdez.