A. F. Indy looks ready for another good effort

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A. F. Indy paid $24.20 when he won a first-level allowance race at Hastings on July 8. Considering he is facing mostly the same horses in a non-winners-of-three allowance race Sunday, he figures to be a much shorter price in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, which drew six horses. There is a $25,000 claiming option available, with Mr. Finch the only horse entered for the price.

Trained by Nancy Betts, A. F. Indy was going around three turns for the first time in his win over Mighty Mick. With Antonio Reyes aboard, he broke on top in the 1 1/16-mile race, but Reyes allowed him to settle early while Mr. Finch ran off with Amadeo Perez and posted a quick quarter-mile time of 23.74 seconds. Reyes moved A. F. Indy into contention going into the second turn and he took over the lead at the quarter pole. He held a one-length advantage over Mighty Mick at the top of the stretch and was able to hold off Mighty Mick’s late charge to win by a neck.

With Mr. Finch breaking from the outside post, A. F. Indy should get a similar trip with Reyes retaining the mount. He will break from post 3.

Trainer Phil Hall – in Oregon and on his way to Del Mar with Summerland on Thursday – said he was going to open the blinkers up to try and get Mr. Finch to relax a bit more.

“Mr. Finch just ran off with Amadeo last time, so hopefully he’ll be a bit more settled Sunday,” said Hall.

Enriquez Gonzalez picks up the mount.

Summerland, who set a track record in her debut and was very impressive winning the $50,000 Spaghetti Mouse here by 7 1/4 lengths, is slated to run in the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

A. F. Indy, by Take Charge Indy
Last 3 Beyers: 65-59-48

◗ The Kentucky-bred gelding has had time to recover from his game victory, and with a solid five-furlong work on July 22, he appears to be primed for another solid effort.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The past five years Betts has a 33 percent and $2.15 return on investment with horses that won their last start.

R W Stanley, by Pop Artist
Last 3 Beyers: 58-51-35

◗ Trained by Brian O’Connell, he got off to a slow start and then had traffic trouble when he finished fourth behind A. F. Indy. He has just three lifetime starts, and it is easy to imagine him taking a big step forward in this spot.

Ace of Diamonds, by Alternation
Last 3 Beyers: 66-66-60

◗ He came from well back to win a $50,000 optional maiden-claiming race for trainer Craig MacPherson on July 7, and with a fast pace expected Sunday, the race should set up nicely for him.