Fear of the Cat could be part of big day for Gregory
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Sylvea Gregory could have a big day at Hastings on Monday. She is probably going to win the 3-year-old fillies division of the $60,000 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sales Stakes with Quatre Cat. She also has a good chance of winning the 2-year-old colts-and-geldings division with Fear of the Cat.
Fear of the Cat is still a maiden after three starts, but he looks like the one to beat in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint that drew seven horses and goes as the fourth race. In race 5, Hippie could be tough to handle if she breaks alertly from the inside post in the 2-year-old fillies division.
Fear of the Cat is coming off a third-place finish in the $50,000 New Westminster on Aug. 21, but he probably would have won the 6 1/2-furlong sprint with a clean trip. He dropped back to last after steadying on the first turn and appeared to be full of run when he was stuck behind horses on the stretch turn. He finished strongly, but the damage was done, and his rally came up short.
There isn’t going to be the same kind of pace in the Sales Stakes, and Gregory is hoping to see Fear of the Cat get involved a little sooner.
“That was a pretty rough trip in his last start,” she said. “I don’t think he has to get that far behind.”
Richard Hamel retains the mount.
◗ In the fillies division, it is hard to go past Hippie, who romped in her debut and came back with a solid effort in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Debutante, where she forced a fast pace and held on well to finish third. The winner, C U At Eau Claire, earned a 67 Beyer Speed Figure when she easily won the $50,000 Hard Rock Vancouver in her next start.
“The only thing I don’t like is that she drew the rail,” said Hippie’s trainer, Dino Condilenios.
If Hippie breaks alertly with Antonio Reyes aboard, she’s probably gone.
CTHS Sales, 2-year-olds
KEY CONTENDERS
Fear of the Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 49-59-52)
◗ Second in the $50,000 B.C. Nursery and a troubled third in the New Westminster, he also owns the best Beyers in the field.
Bridge Baron (Last Beyer: 40)
◗ Trained by Phil Hall, he figures to take a big step forward after coming up just a bit short when he debuted in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race won by his stablemate Silent Native, who also is entered.
“I like them both,” said Hall. “Bridge Baron had just one five-furlong work before his first race and is a lot fitter now.”