Hastings allowance return spot for Majesticality

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Majesticality, the 2010 Grade 3 British Columbia Derby winner, makes his return in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up at Hastings Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew five horses, and while most of the focus will be on Majesticality, Sense of Humor looks like the one to beat.

Majesticality did win a $30,000 maiden claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs, but he really wants more distance. He had one horse beat after six furlongs in the B.C. Derby and then made a powerful move while going four wide to edge Crew Leader by a half-length. He was aided by a blistering pace in the 1 1/8-mile derby, and Sense of Humour will probably set similar fractions going 6 1/2 furlongs.

Trainer Barbara Heads is looking at Saturday’s race as a place to get Majestically started.

“We brought him in late because we know he is a better horse going a distance and the longer races are just starting to come up,” she said. “I’m happy with him. He’s trained well and hopefully he’ll get an honest pace to work with.”

Majesticality was close to the pace when he won a maiden race, but don’t expect to see him near the lead Saturday.

“I know he showed speed early in his career but he is a big horse and he is a lot more comfortable when he can relax the first part of it,” said Heads.

Richard Hamel, aboard for the upset win in the B.C. Derby, retains the mount.

Sense of Humor figures to have an easy time clearing early and should be to be tough to catch. Trained by Mel Snow, he set the pace before tiring to finish fourth behind Crew Leader in first start this year and then held on well to finish second in a first-level allowance race won by Cherokee Notion May 13. Catch him if you can, but that doesn’t seem likely given the way the race will likely shape up.

Silly Fella is not the most consistent horse around but when he wins, he wins big. His first win came in the $106,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, where he outdueled Dyna Stroll and then drew off to romp by 8 3/4 lengths. In his only other win he beat Rocket Roan by over six-lengths in a first-level $50,000 optional race in his second start last year.

Victor’s Magic and Rocket Roan round out the field.