Explode a solid favorite in Chris Loseth Handicap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Explode figures to be a short price in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap at Hastings on Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds is the first major step toward the Grade 3, $250,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 7.

Trained by Mark Cloutier, Explode could not have been more impressive in winning the $50,000 River Rock Casino by 4 1/2 lengths on June 2. With leading rider Amadeo Perez aboard, the Kentucky-bred son of Trappe Shot got squeezed back leaving the starting gate and trailed the field early in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. He moved into serious contention at the quarter pole before taking complete control at the top of the stretch.

In his only route attempt, Explode rallied from a stalking position to win the $75,000 Ascot Graduation by 6 1/4 widening lengths last September. With plenty of potential speed in the Loseth’s seven-horse field, he should get a similar trip.

If there is to be an upset, it will come from Erlich, who was favored in the River Rock Casino but ran flat and never really got involved. It is easy to toss out the race. The Kentucky-bred colt by Curlin is better going a middle distance, and he was making his first start on a bullring in the two-turn sprint at Hastings for trainer John Snow.

The 95 Beyer Speed Figure that Erlich received for his blowout win over a sloppy track at Aqueduct in a maiden special weight race March 10 stands out. In his race prior to the Loseth, he set a wicked pace before fading to last in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields on April 27.

“We only had him for about 10 days and didn’t really know much about him when he ran in the [River Rock Casino],” said Snow. “He has settled in nicely, and he really seemed to move forward in his last two works.”

Erlich could be the one they have to run down if he breaks alertly from post 3 with Richard Hamel retaining the mount.

Snow was among the heroes who rushed to put out a fire just outside the feed store during the races last Sunday. The fire started when a passerby threw a cigarette butt over the fence bordering McGill Street.

“I can honestly say I was scared, and I never get scared,” said Snow. “The flames were huge. It is lucky it happened when people were around or it would have been a disaster. It was a real team effort. A lot of people chipped in.”

Century Mile: Shirley Vargo

Trainer Phil Hall has seen enough of Here’s Hannah and has taken Good Luck to You to Century Mile to run in the $75,000 Shirley Vargo. The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Bellamy Road is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the one-mile race, which drew eight fillies and mares.

Good Luck to You won the $50,000 Brighouse Belles in her first start this year but never really threatened Here’s Hannah while finishing second in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun and $50,000 Strawberry Morn.

“I think she’ll like running on a mile track,” said Hall. “I’m not thrilled about her coming back in two weeks, but she shipped well and seems to be doing fine.”

Good Luck to You will break from post 2 with Rigo Sarmiento aboard.

Raider heads the local contingent. Trained by Greg Tracy, the British Columbia-bred daughter of Stephanotis came from a stalking position to win going seven furlongs in the $50,000 RedTail Landing at Century Mile on June 9. She has compiled a 3-1-1 record from 5 starts going a middle distance, with her only losses coming at Hastings, where she finished second to Here’s Hannah in the $75,000 Fantasy as a 2-year-old and third in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks, won by Here’s Hannah last year.

Sharing the spotlight at Century Mile Sunday is the $50,000 Fred Jones Handicap, where the Tim Rycroft-trained Trooper John will try to make amends for his loss as the heavy favorite in the $50,000 Spangled Jimmy on June 9. The horse he will have to beat in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is his stablemate Stone Carver, who took them all the way in the seven-furlong Spangled Jimmy.

Stone Carver has never won going longer than seven furlongs, but he’s never been better, and being a son of Belmont winner Birdstone, the distance should be well within his reach.