Hamel looks to go out a winner in Canadian Juvenile

Richard Hamel is hoping to go out a winner when he closes his career aboard He’s Meant to Be in the $100,000 Canadian Juvenile on Sunday at Century Downs.

Hamel announced his retirement between races last Sunday at Hastings, where he was a five-time leading rider. The 50-year-old rider has won 1,664 races in his career for earnings of $21,645,536.

“I am old and it’s been hard on me and everyone else fighting weight the last few years,” Hamel said. “It’s been a good career, and I’ve been lucky to ride a lot of good horses.”

Hamel said the best horse he rode was Fancy As, who was based in Alberta with trainer Red Smith. In 2001, Hamel rode Fancy As to victories in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby, Grade 2 British Columbia Derby, and Grade 3 Premiers.

“Fancy As really taught me how to ride and take care of a good horse,” Hamel said.

Hamel has the right horse to go out a winner.

A Kentucky-bred son of Tapizar, He’s Meant to Be is undefeated in two starts, both at Timonium in Maryland, and the 64 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his victory in a first-level allowance race with a $50,000 claiming option on Sept. 2 stands out.

Following his latest win, He’s Meant to Be was purchased privately by Bernie Kooner and transferred to trainer Steve Bryant.

“I like him and I really liked his first work at Hastings, where he easily outworked Fright Night, who is a 3-year-old,” Bryant said.

Hamel was aboard for the five-furlong move in 1:02 on Oct. 12.

“I was very impressed,” he said.

He’s Meant to Be will break from post 7 in the 7 1/2-furlong Canadian Juvenile, which drew a full field of 12.

Above the Moon looks like the main threat to He’s Meant to Be.

Trained by Phil Hall, the homebred son of Harbor the Gold won the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes on Aug. 30 at Hastings, and following a third-place finish via disqualification in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, he won the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes on Oct. 6 at Century Downs.

Above the Moon will break from post 2 with Dane Nelson retaining the mount.

Also on the 11-race closing-day card is the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3- and 4-year-olds.

The seven-furlong dash looks like a crapshoot.

The Tim Rycroft-trained Weekend Wizard could be a handful if he shows up with his best stuff. However, he has not been as consistent as he was last year as a 3-year-old.

Following a romp going 6 1/2 furlongs in a key conditioned allowance race with a $35,000 claiming option on July 28 at Century Mile, Weekend Wizard flopped as the heavy chalk going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes on Aug. 23 at Hastings. He came back with another a dull effort in an open allowance race Sept. 21 at Century.

Weekend Wizard drew post 8, and it is easy to imagine him running a big race with Rico Walcott riding him for the first time.