Finishing punch gives Fright Night the edge in Sunday allowance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Fright Night can finish, and he should have speed to run at when he goes for his third straight win Sunday in a nonwinners-of-three allowance race at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile feature for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 7 on the eight-race card, which begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Steve Bryant, Fright Night is perfect in two starts at the distance. With Richard Hamel riding, he came from well back to win a $16,000 maiden claimer here July 28. Showing it was no fluke, he came from a stalking position and repeated in a first-level allowance race Aug. 16.

With plenty of potential speed in the field, the shape of the race should work perfectly for Fright Night. He will break from post 2 with Hamel up.

Warrior’s Promise is the only filly in the race, but the Patty Leaney trainee owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, which she received for her 10 1/4-length romp in $50,000 optional maiden-claiming race on Aug. 30.

She will break from post 3 with Alex Marti riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Fright Night, by New Year’s Day

Last 3 Beyers: 64-59-45

◗ He is trending in the right direction, and with just four starts his best races could be in front of him.

◗ His latest win is better than it looks on paper as he went pretty wide around the stretch turn.

Warrior’s Promise, by Warrior’s Reward

Last 3 Beyers: 67-58-63

◗ She was supposed to win her last start, but still was impressive dominating her opponents.

◗ She was wearing blinkers for the first time this year in her last start, so it would not be surprising to see her build on the performance.

◗ The 3-year-old started the meet with back-to-back runner-up finishes to Summerland in the $50,000 Ross McLeod and $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap.

◗ The distance should not be an issue as she also finished third to Summerland in her only route attempt, the $50,000 Supernaturel.

Dat Day, by New Year’s Day

Last 3 Beyers: 53-60-67

◗ Trained by Craig MacPherson, he seemed a bit eager when he finished fourth after forcing the issue early in the same race Fright Night exits.

◗ The $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity winner, he could be a bit more relaxed running without blinkers for the first time in his 11-race career.

El Noble, by Istan

Last 3 Beyers: 65-70-64

◗ With runner-up finishes at this level in his last two starts, the Milton Palma-trained 4-year-old is an obvious contender.

◗ He wants to be involved early, so he could be up against it with other speed in the field.