Hamel can move closer to milestone with Kermode in CTHS Sales Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Jockey Richard Hamel is 10 wins shy of 1,500 for his career. Trainer Pat Jarvis is hoping the leading rider will move closer to that milestone when he rides Kermode in the colts-and-geldings division of the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes at Hastings on Friday.

Sharing the spotlight on the seven-race card that begins at 7:05 p.m. Pacific is the fillies’ division, where Something Better and Anstrum look like the main players in the 6 1/2-furlong dash that drew seven horses.

Adding luster to the evening is the return of Herbie D. The 2013 winner of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile likely will be favored to win his first start this year going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $35,000 optional-claiming race that includes Bluegrass Angus, the local champion 3-year-old male last year.

With three straight bullet works, Herbie D appears to be primed for a big effort by trainer Rob Gilker.

Kermode is coming off a third-place finish in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Nursery on Aug. 1, and with Sahin Civaci riding, he appeared to be a bit intimidated soon after leaving the starting gate and going into the first turn.

Jarvis liked the way he worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 with Hamel aboard on Aug. 1.

“He’s doing really well, and that was a good schooling work for him,” said Jarvis. “He’s still learning, and hopefully he is starting to put it all together now.”

Jarvis was part of a partnership that purchased Kermode out of the 2015 CTHS sale for $27,000.

He drew the rail, and Hamel likely will put him into the 6 1/2-furlong race early.

Trainer Dino Condilenios was expecting a big effort from Igor in a maiden special weight race July 17. He was befuddled when the son of Finality finished last by more than 27 lengths.

“He was a bit unruly in the gate, and he banged his head pretty hard,” said Condilenios. “I thought he was a good horse, and he showed it in his next start.”

Igor paid $33.60 when he won a maiden special weight race going six furlongs Aug. 12.

Igor’s full brother Sartorialist won the 2009 Jack Diamond Futurity. His half-brother, Silly Fella, won the Futurity in 2009.

Something Better looks like the one to beat in the fillies’ division. However, due to being sold privately prior to the CTHS sale last year, there is some question regarding her eligibility to the race. She was on the list of eligible horses supplied by the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, though, and as of Wednesday, she was in the race.

Something Better used her good speed to win both of her starts for trainer Greg Tracy. The daughter of Finality sat just off the pacesetter when she won her debut going 3 1/2 furlongs with Quincy Welch aboard at Northlands Park on July 2. In her next start at Hastings, she set fast fractions in winning the 6 1/2-furlong B.C. Cup Debutante on Aug. 1.

She drew post No. 3, and jockey Rico Walcott likely will put her on the lead soon after the start.

Anstrum, trained by Anita Bolton, rallied to finish second in the B.C. Cup Debutante and should be rolling late.

First-time starter Yukon Belle has impressed the clockers at Hastings, and the daughter of Drosselmeyer could make an impact if she breaks alertly from the inside post for trainer Barbara Heads.