'Gypsy' has class edge in sprint

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - With many horses and horsemen shipping to places like Portland Meadows, Turf Paradise, and northern California, Hastings Park came up short for their last mid-week card of the season. Only six races filled for Wednesday evening and the featured race, an $8,000 conditional sprint for fillies and mares, will go as the last and offers superfecta wagering.

Gypsy Romance should go off at a short price and will be tough to beat if she runs her best race. Her trainer, Rick Kamps, had Gypsy Romance fine-tuned for her initial start this year, and she paid $42.30 when she came home a length in front of Full Scream Ahead with $25,000 optional horses at 6 1/2 furlongs June 27. Kamps thought enough of her to enter her in the nine-furlong British Columbia Cup Distaff, and after she forced the issue for six furlongs, she tired to finish a distant seventh.

Gypsy Romance couldn't keep up to Grooms Derby in the 6 1/2-furlong Cover Girl Stakes on Sept. 8, and after three unsuccessful tries in high-priced optional claimers, she drops into this easier spot. She drew outside other speed, but she is capable of stalking, and her class edge makes her the one to beat.

With all the potential speed in the field, it could set up nicely for Marie Marie, who was a fast-closing second at this level Oct. 17. She also started her year with a win, a 7 3/4-length romp over $8,000 maidens where she was claimed by her current connections, trainer Henry Miller Jr. and Beverly Green. Her best race since being claimed was a win over Scandadily in an $11,000 sprint Sept. 26.