Gilker entry both capable

VANCOUVER, British Columbia A well-matched group of 3-year-olds running for a top claiming price of $35,000 headline the final Friday card of the year at Hastings.

The 6 1/2-furlong feature attracted nine horses and goes as the seventh race.

The Rob Gilker-trained entry of Cabron and Savo Island could end up being favored as both horses appear to have a good chance of winning.

Savo Island, who will be ridden by Frank Fuentes, showed speed before fading to last when he ran in the $100,000 Emerald Derby on Sept. 1. He should appreciate the move back to a sprint and also the easier company. All three of Savo Islands wins have come sprinting, and he came close to upsetting the six-furlong Jim Coleman earlier in the year.

Cabron forced the pace and held on well to finish second to Right Honorable in a $50,000 optional claiming race on Sept. 13. He also came close to winning a stakes race when finishing third in the CTHS Sales Stakes in June.

Grandest Slam is shipping in from Emerald Downs off of a third place finish in a 6 1/2-furlong $40,000 optional race on Aug. 31. Trained by Bill Tollett, Grandest Slam has good speed and he carried it all the way when he won a $35,000 claiming race on Aug. 16.

Till the Storm is a very sharp horse with two straight wins in $25,000 claiming sprints. He has decent tactical speed and should get a good trip from just off of what will likely be a contested pace.

Snow Moon won at this level on Aug. 16 and then finished a nose behind Cabron on Sept. 13.