Hastings: British Columbia Oaks favorites both claimed in California

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Burns Turn and Miss Derek, both claimed for $75,000 at Santa Anita last spring, look like the main players in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings on Sunday. The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies is one of six stakes totaling $550,000 on a stellar 10-race card that features the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby.

Burns Turn has been a gem of consistency since trainer John Sadler claimed her on behalf of owner K.K. Sangara in her second start April 12. Since then, she won a maiden special weight race at Betfair Hollywood Park and hasn’t finished worse than second. She is coming off a narrow loss to $379,994 stakes winner Qianoa going 1 1/16 miles in a first-level optional $80,000 claiming race on the Del Mar turf course Aug. 21.

Sangara was drawn to Burns Turn after watching her finish second when she debuted in a $50,000 maiden claiming race going six furlongs at Santa Anita on March 3.

“I watched the race because I was touted on and bet on the winner,” Sangara said. “Burns Turn ran a huge race, and I was encouraged when they brought her back for $75,000. My only concern is she is coming back pretty quickly.”

Burns Turn drew the rail, where Aaron Gryder figures to put her into a stalking position just off what figures to be a moderate pace. She has the best Beyer Speed Figures in the field, but other than her debut, she has been running on either turf or synthetic surfaces. If Burns Turn handles her new surroundings, she could be tough to beat.

Trainer Troy Taylor will saddle her for Sangara.

Chad Joe, who races under the stable name Copper Water Thoroughbred Company, is in his first year as a horse owner and has a big chance of being the first owner to win the B.C. Derby and the Oaks in the same year since Frank McMahon registered the feat in 1969 with Essence Time and Dorothy Glynn. Joe has morning-line favorite Reporting Star in the B.C. Derby.

On trainer Craig MacPherson’s recommendation, Joe claimed Miss Derek on March 16, and she comes into the Oaks off wins in the Supernaturel and Hong Kong Jockey Club. She was rank early in the 1 1/16-mile Supernaturel but looked very relaxed winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club from a stalking position.

“We just let her run her own race last time, and she was obviously a lot happier about it,” MacPherson said.

Miss Derek could end up being the one they have to catch if she breaks alertly with Enrique Gonzalez aboard.

Jarvis has contenders in both futurity divisions

Andallthatitmeans will try and make amends for his loss as the heavy favorite in the CTHS Sales Stakes when he runs in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old colts and geldings foaled in Canada. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew 10 horses and goes as the seventh race.

Trained by Anita Bolton, Andallthatitmeans was a romping 10 3/4-length winner of the B.C. Cup Nursery in his previous race, and a similar effort would likely win the Futurity. In the CTHS Sales Stakes, he opened up a clear lead but after setting extremely fast fractions couldn’t hold off Neverabettercause and had to settle for second.

Scott Williams retains the mount.

There is plenty of speed in the field, and it could set up nicely for Neverabettercause again. His trainer, Pat Jarvis, is excited with how Neverabettercause is coming into the race.

“I couldn’t be any happier with him,” Jarvis said. “I think he is better now than he was going into the Sales Stakes.”

Jarvis also is excited about running Habida in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old Canadian-bred fillies in the sixth race.

Habida is coming off a second-place finish behind Architecture in the B.C. Cup Debutante with Mario Gutierrez aboard. He retains the mount.

Habida and Architecture, who came back to win the CTHS Sales on Stakes Aug. 23, will need to improve in order to keep up with the sensational Arabella’s Muse.

With Frank Fuentes aboard in her debut in a maiden $30,000 optional-claiming race Aug. 10, Arabella’s Muse cruised to the lead without any urging and then proceeded to run off and hide while posting a very fast final time of 1:16.47.

Arabella’s Muse is trained by Toni Cloutier.

◗ In the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate at 1 1/8 miles, Commander figures to be heavily favored to win his fourth-straight stakes. Commander is trained by Taylor, who also is going to saddle the prohibitive favorite, Saturday Nite Ride, in the 1 1/8-mile ,$50,000 Delta Colleen for fillies and mares.