Hastings: Almost Time comes through in Classic on B.C. Cup Day

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Even-money favorite Almost Time came from well off the pace to score a convincing win over Trick of the North in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic at Hastings Monday. The Classic headlined a 10-race card that featured seven $50,000 stakes races restricted to B.C.-breds.

Frank Fuentes took a firm hold of Almost Time while Lornefivehundred carved out honest fractions of 23.39 and 46.70 seconds in the 1 1/8-mile feature. Fuentes kept Almost Time in the middle of the track when he asked him to make his move at the quarter pole. He took command of the race entering the stretch and was never threatened while drawing off to post 2 1/2-length win over Trick of the North. Longshot Victor’s Magic, who stalked the pace, finished third.

Almost Time returned $4 to win.

“He really wanted to run early, but I wanted to make sure he had something left at the end of the race,” said Fuentes. “I kept him five wide when he made his move because I didn’t want to get him stopped. I also think it was also a little better going in the middle of the track.”

The win by Almost Time justified trainer Dino Condilenios’s decision to run him in the Classic instead of the Sprint. Almost Time finished last in his two other starts at 1 1/8 miles.

“I think he would have won either race, but the Classic is the big one and I was always confident he could get a mile and an eighth,” said Condilenios.

* Heavily favored Herescomeslucky ($2.70) started the day off with a five-length win over Joint Choice in the 6 1/2-furlong Nursery for 2-year-old colts and geldings. It was the second straight stakes win for the Elizabeth Stolzenberg-trained Herecomeslucky. He was ridden by Mario Gutierrez, who won three of the seven stakes. The final time was 1:18.91.

* Don’twaitforme came from off the pace to edge 4-5 favorite Cherokee Notion by a half-length in the Sprint. Trained by Rob Vanoverschot and ridden by Amadeo Perez, Don’twaitforme covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in a rapid 1:16.81. He paid $6.40 as the second choice in the four-horse field.

* Gutierrez was aboard Dashing Daisy, who paid $8.70 for her win over Wando Woman the 1 1/8-mile Distaff. Trained by Troy Taylor, Dashing Daisy got the jump on odds-on favorite Wando Woman, who gave up quite a few lengths at the start when she broke poorly. Wando Woman reached contention at the quarter pole but hung in the stretch.

* With Gutierrez riding, Sunnyside Gale romped to an eight-length win over Undo It in the 6 1/2-furlong Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. Trained by Troy Taylor, Sunnyside Gal ran faster than Herescomelucky in the Nursery, posting a final time of 1:18.28. She paid $6.20 as the second choice behind Gabigotherway, who set the pace before tiring to finish third.

* La Belle Rose provided the biggest price of the day with a $36.60 shocker in the Dogwood for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles. Kevah Nicholls rode the William Lavanway-trained La Belle Rose to a half-length score over Camino. Favored Victory Class made what looked like a winning move on the stretch turn but hung and finished third.

* Following a lengthy inquiry, Herbie D. was awarded the win over Jump Up and Kissme in the 1 1/16-mile Stellar’s Jay for 3-year-olds. Jump Up and Kissme, ridden by Nicholls, was a clear 2 3/4-length winner, but the stewards ruled a bumping incident at the top of the stretch cost Herbie D. the win. Pedro Alvarado rode Herbie D. for trainer Rob Gilker. He paid $14.50.