Hastings: Bold Pretense looking sharp and fit for Sunday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Bold Pretense looks like the one to beat in a first-level $50,000 optional claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies goes as race 7.

Bold Pretense is the only horse in the field that has been running this year and she figures to have a fitness edge over her six rivals. She is also a very sharp horse, with back-to-back wins at Golden Gate. She won a $12,500 maiden claiming race Feb. 18 and came right back to score a 2 1/2-length win in a $16,000 claiming race March 23. She was claimed out of the race by trainer Greg Tracy, who was acting on behalf of Darrell Landry.

Bold Pretense shouldn’t have any trouble going from Tapeta to dirt. She showed good speed in both of her races on a dirt track at Santa Anita last October, and in her second start she held on well to finish third in a $30,000 maiden claiming race. She came from a stalking position in her latest win, and jockey Richard Hamel has the option of either putting her right on the lead or letting her sit just off the pace.

Trainer Terry Clyde has entered Undo It and Satellite Debris. On paper Satellite Debris looks like the better horse, but Clyde is leaning toward Undo It.

“They have both been training well but I think Satellite Debris wants more distance,” said Clyde. “Undo It has been a bit more aggressive and has a better shine on her coat.”

Satellite Debris won her debut in a $20,000 maiden claiming race and was claimed by Clyde, who brought her back in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity where she made a late move to finish second.

Undo It also won a $20,000 maiden claiming race before finishing second in the $50,000 Debutante. She finished fourth in the Sadie Diamond before going unplaced in the CTHS Sales Stakes.

Everythings a Blur could be live in her first start of the year. She won her only start as a 2-year-old and her trainer, Nancy Betts, thinks she’s ready for a big effort in her 3-year-old unveiling.

“I’m pretty high on her,” said Betts. “I know she won going just 3 1/2 furlongs, but she did it impressively and she has decent breeding.”

Everythings a Blur is by Grade 1 stakes winner Joey Franco and is the first foal out of What a Blur, a local stakes winner.

Five Yard Penalty and What a Score were stakes placed last year. Dance the Wind rounds out the field.