Favorites seek elusive victory

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Neither Joyride nor Cariboo Prospector won a race in 2004, but either of them can break through in the second race at Hastings Sunday, an entry-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up that drew six horses. Won Handsome Devil should also attract a lot of attention in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Joyride and Cariboo Prospector have each started 16 times. Joyride won the Ascot Graduation as a 2-year-old and has banked $112,797. Cariboo Prospector picked up a large share of his $90,901 bankroll by finishing third in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby.

Cariboo Prospector could be coming up to a big race. His trainer, Dave Forster, added blinkers last time and the Kentucky-bred gelding showed more speed than usual in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint. But he got hung out three wide going into the first turn and tired to finish fifth. Cariboo Prospector is a better horse going a middle distance and he's likely to get a better trip than last time. David Nuesch rides.

Joyride, 4, who is trained by Barbara Heads, hasn't lived up to the potential he showed at 2. In eight starts last year, he hit the board only twice, finishing third in the B.C. Cup Stallion Stakes and also in a $50,000 optional race. He closed out his year by going unplaced in the Canadian Derby.

In his latest race, Joyride closed with good speed to finish third in the same race as Cariboo Prospector. Chris Loseth is named to ride.