Hastings: Bridge Jumper to get tested for class in Jim Coleman Province

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The undefeated Bridge Jumper has a lot to prove when he runs in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province Stakes at Hastings on Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds attracted six horses, including Proud Victor, who was voted the local 2-year-old champion last year.

The Province goes as race 3 on the 8-race card which begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Bridge Jumper was heavily favored in both of his easy wins last year, but he didn’t face any real stars, and he will be tested for class with Proud Victor in the field.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Bridge Jumper displayed good speed when he won an optional maiden claimer going 3 1/2 furlongs in his debut a year ago. The horse who finished second, Pineapple, is a filly and likely will be the favorite in Sunday’s second race, a $15,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies.

Gambino, whom Bridge Jumper easily handled in the four-horse New Westminster Stakes last July, is still a maiden.

Proud Victor is a different story. He used his exceptional speed to win the B.C. Cup Nursery and the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity last year.

Taylor also entered Glenco Kid, who made strong late moves to win the Ascot Graduation here last fall and the Lost in the Fog Juvenile at Turf Paradise on Dec. 29.

“I don’t know how good Bridge Jumper is, but we’re going to find out,” Taylor said. “I know there is other speed in the field, but we’ll probably send him. If he can’t handle the heat, Glenco Kid might be able to pick up the pieces.”

Bridge Jumper will be ridden by Aaron Gryder. Enrique Gonzalez picks up the mount on Glenco Kid.

Trainer Greg Tracy is looking for a big effort from Proud Victor. In his first start this year April 28, Proud Victor dueled through honest fractions and held on well but couldn’t fend off another Taylor trainee, Major Dundee.

“My horse needed the race,” Tracy said. “He came out of it in great shape, but I would have preferred he had three weeks between races instead of two.”

Fernando Perez retains the mount.

Trainer Barbara Heads is happy with how Tracker has trained while leading up to his first start of the year. He won his last two sprints by a combined 14 lengths and held the lead in the stretch in the 1 1/16-mile Ascot Graduation before tiring in the stretch to finish third.

I’m Not Gray and Stormin for Becka complete the field. They are both trained by Craig MacPherson, who seemed to be leaning toward running I’m Not Gray.