Flamethrowintexan best in British Columbia Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Flamethrowintexan cruised to an easy victory in the $325,500 Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings Sunday. Lord Samarai made a late move to get up for second, but the outcome had already been decided by the time Flamethrowintexan had reached the top of the stretch with a five-length margin.

Trained by Kay Cooper and ridden by Ricky Frazier, Flamethrowintexan had a perfect trip. The speedy Florida-bred broke sharply and settled in nicely behind Don'tsellmeshort who was sent hard and set quick fractions of 22.30, 45.70 and 1:10.52 before being overwhelmed at the quarter-pole. From there it was just a matter of how far Flamethrowintexan was going to win by and with Frazier never letting up through the stretch, the chestnut gelding drew off by 8 1/2 lengths. Final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.58.

It was an impressive performance and it was also the first time that Flamethrowintexan had been able to win without leading from start to finish.

"We've been working with him to get him to relax and rate behind other horses and it really paid off today," said Cooper. "We also thought that with his body-type he would like the five-furlong track at Hastings. We'll see how he comes out of the race before deciding where he'll run next."

"I was expecting somebody to go early and when the nine-horse went I just settled and stayed in behind him and just bided my time," said Frazier. I don't how much I had left at the wire but we'll revive him at the barn. I didn't save anything for tomorrow."

Flamethrowintexan, who is owned by Grasshopper Stables Inc., paid $6.00 as the second choice in the wagering and earned $191,400.

Gotaghostofachance was the 2-1 favorite but after stalking the early pace, he tired to finish seventh. With Strike Em Hard finishing third the triactor paid a handsome $1,689.00.