Forster has full stakes plate

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trainer David Forster likes his chances in both stakes races at Hastings Saturday. He will saddle the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Sun Handicap, a $40,000 race for older fillies and mares.

Secondary School would be a solid choice if she runs, and she probably will, but Forster might elect to pass. If he passes with Secondary School, the Forster-trained Castle Mountain would take over the favorite's role. The Sun Handicap goes as the eighth race.

Forster has entered undefeated Hunting Action in the $40,000 Emerald Downs Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs, which goes as the sixth race, but Dancewithavixen figures to be a very short price to win her third stakes race in a row.

Secondary School went into the Strawberry Morn with an unblemished record but had a very rough trip to finish fourth to last year's local horse of the year Elana D'amour. Since that race she's had two remarkable workouts, five furlongs in 59 seconds over a good track May 24, and a six-furlong move in 1:11.60 May 31. It was her last work that has Forster wondering about running her Saturday.

"It was way too fast," he said. "She came out of it fine and I'll probably run her, but she's a very nice filly and I just don't want to over do it with her."

Larry Lacoursiere will ride.

Castle Mountain had a wide trip while finished third in the 6 1/2-furlong Strawberry Morn and is making her second start of the meet.

Hunting Action certainly has the credentials to be a stakes-quality horse. She scored an impressive win in her first start this year.