Frankie Machine, Boundary Bay figure to battle it out in Sunday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Frankie Machine goes for his fourth straight win Sunday at Hastings in a 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up running for a top claiming price of $20,000. Standing directly in his way is Boundary Bay, one of three horses entered by owner-trainer Glen Todd.

The race drew six horses and kicks off the nine-race card, which begins at 4:05 p.m. Pacific.

Frankie Machine has found a home at Hastings with trainer Steve Henson. He is perfect in three starts at the Vancouver bullring and won’t mind the move back to a sprint after winning his first try going around three turns Aug. 6. He also was running over a wet surface for the first time when he won the 1 1/16-mile race on a track rated sloppy.

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With Scott Williams riding, Frankie Machine forced the issue early and drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Rak City.

A Kentucky-bred son of Wilburn, Frankie Machine showed a lot of grit when he won going 6 1/2 furlongs in his previous race. After Frankie Machine dueled with the stakes winner Bluegrass Angus through honest fractions, it looked like he was going to finish second at best when Bluegrass Angus drew off on the stretch turn. However, with Williams never giving up, Frankie Machine rallied to edge Bluegrass Angus by a head.

He had an easier time winning his first start at Hastings by 2 3/4 lengths on July 7. All three races were for older horses running for a top claiming price of $20,000.

Frankie Machine drew post 2 with Williams retaining the mount Sunday.

Boundary Bay is coming off a game win over Slew’s Da Boss at the same level and distance as Sunday’s race on Aug. 16. Ridden by Efrain Hernandez, Boundary Bay dueled with Metal Magic early, took a short lead into the stretch, and was able to hold off Slew’s Da Boss, who rallied late.

Boundary Bay drew the outside post with Hernandez riding on Sunday. He will have to deal with the Patty Leaney-trained Metal Magic first, and then Frankie Machine, who will likely be sitting just off the pace. Slew’s Da Boss, trained by Mel Snow, figures to make his presence known late.

The Todd-trained Highway Boss will be making his first start since he was favored in Frankie Machine’s first race at Hastings. He did not fire while checking in a non-threatening fourth.

Highway Boss went into the race off of back-to-back wins last year. A deep closer, he rallied to edge Proof It in a $35,000 claimer on Oct. 14 before romping by 5 1/2 lengths in a $16,000 claiming race 12 days later.

Alex Marti rides.

Fort Langley, also trained by Todd, completes the field. In his latest start, he finished second in a $16,000 claimer for nonwinners of three. He will need to improve to make a big impact running against this solid group of open claimers.