Hammerstein makes stakes debut in Queenston
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hammerstein will join the road to the July 5 Queen’s Plate on Saturday at Woodbine, where he makes his stakes debut in the $150,000 Queenston, a seven-furlong test for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.
Hammerstein led throughout his lone 2-year-old outing Sept. 28. After wintering in Ocala, Fla., he rallied over a speed-favoring track under Luis Contreras to finish a close second behind Hombre Natural in a five-furlong allowance here April 12.
Darwin Banach, the trainer of Hammerstein, said he was surprised that there wasn’t an inquiry after the colt’s comeback race.
“I couldn’t see why he stalled down the lane until I saw the head-on,” Banach said. “Before ‘Hammer’ got to him, [Hombre Natural] came right into his path. Luis said it wasn’t that he had to check him, but our horse saw that horse’s ass right in front of him all of a sudden, hesitated, and had to get back going again.”
The Queenston is the headliner on a 10-race card that will conclude before the Kentucky Derby.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hammerstein (Beyers: 70-67)
The nicely bred son of Bernstein is lightly raced and might have the most upside in the field. His gifted dam, Prized Stamp, won the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap over seven furlongs.
Jacks Escarpment (Last 3 Beyers: 86-76-54)
The front-runner got the winter off after notching his first two races in the fall and was a game second when returning to action April 11 in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes.
Due to the harsh winter, trainer Nick Gonzalez said many of his horses who never went south were behind the eight ball in their training, including Jacks Escarpment.
“He wasn’t anywhere close to being ready to run last time,” Gonzalez said.
Phil’s Cocktail (Last 3 Beyers: 66-73-63)
He captured two sprint stakes last year, including the $201,000 Simcoe, and has been idle since ending up second Dec. 6 in the 1 1/16-mile Kingarvie Stakes.
“He’s coming in a little short, but he’s training well,” trainer John LeBlanc said. “I love the way he’s doing everything.”
Conquest Boogaloo (Last 3 Beyers: 72-55-53)
Each of his 2-year-old victories came over seven furlongs, most notably the Swynford Stakes. He has been idle since finishing a wide-closing third on the grass in the Oct. 12 Cup and Saucer Stakes.
R U Watchingbud (Last 3 Beyers: 82-58-50)
He raced wide when fifth in a fast allowance April 4 at Keeneland, which was his first start on Lasix.