Ganbei in good position to end losing streak
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – It has been nearly two years since two-time stakes winner Ganbei has won a race. There is a good chance he will end the long losing streak when he runs in a $12,500 claiming race Saturday at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and goes as the second race.
Trained by Mel Snow, Ganbei rallied to finish second in an $8,000 optional-starter race June 7 and figures to move forward in his second straight route. He closed well to finish fourth in a $16,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs in his first start this year and could be sitting on a peak effort with a couple of races behind him.
In both of his races at the meet, Ganbei trailed the field early. He will need an honest pace to work with, and he should get it with Honestly Occifer in the field. Leo’s in the House also figures to be involved early in his first route attempt since he finished last in the Grade 3 B.C. Derby in 2013.
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Ganbei has lost more than one step since he won the Richmond Derby Trial in 2009 and the S.W. Randall Plate in 2010, but he is honest, and once again we can expect to hear from him late with Pedro Alvarado retaining the mount.
Toccet’s Charm also will be rolling in the stretch. Trained by Dave Dahl, he came from last to win an $8,000 claiming race in his first start of the year with leading rider Richard Hamel aboard.
KEY CONTENDERS
Ganbei (Last 3 Beyers: 59-62-60)
◗ The classy 9-year-old couldn’t catch runaway winner Uncle Willard in his latest but finished well to get up for second, and the flow of the race could work for him here.
Toccet’s Charm (Last 3 Beyers: 57-71-69)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: He ran a huge race coming off the bench, and over the past five years, Dahl has an 18 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.
Leo’s in the House (Last 3 Beyers: 69-75-57)
◗ Claimed out of his latest by trainer Jim Brown, the only time he went this distance, he lost by a nose in a maiden special weight race in just the fourth start of his career. With back-to-back wins sprinting, he is a very sharp horse right now and figures to be in the mix right from the start.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Hastings, horses making their first start after being claimed by Brown have won at a 25 percent clip.