Hastings: Closers Ganbei, Shintoism to benefit from early speed

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Deep closers Ganbei and Shintoism should have plenty of speed up front to work to their benefit when they run in a $17,500 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race drew seven horses and headlines an eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Ganbei looks like the one to beat. The two-time stakes winner rallied to win a similar race Aug. 10 and he came back with another big effort when he finished second to Queen’s Vicar in a $17,500 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 28. Queen’s Vicar, a five-year-old mare, showed her big race against males was no fluke when she came back to finish a close fourth in the $50,000 Delta Colleen last Sunday.

Ganbei, a 7-year-old gelding by Vying Victor trained by Mel Snow, won the Richmond Derby Trial in 2009 and the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate in 2010. He has won at least one race in four of his five years on the track, and he came close to winning the Grade 3 B.C. Premier’s Stakes in 2010.

Antonio Reyes retains the mount.

Shintoism also will appreciate the shape of the race, but the 4-year-old son of Roar is looking for his first win this year and just his fourth overall from 19 previous starts.

Trained by Cindy Krasner, Shintoism was closer than usual during the early stages of a $25,000 claiming races at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 2 and did not have his usual late punch. He will not be anywhere near what figures to be a wicked pace, and with Mario Gutierrez aboard for the first time, he should get a well-timed ride.

Bearrock N Roll surprisingly forced a very fast pace before tiring to finish fourth in the same race Ganbei exits. He certainly does not need the lead and he rallied from well back to notch his 14th career win earlier in the year in a $25,000 claiming sprint.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, Bearrock N Roll also came from well off the pace when he just missed going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 claiming race July 19, and he could be dangerous if Scott Williams allows him to settle early.

Speed will be provided by Pakal and Lookout Dubai, who are both stretching out to a middle distance for the first time this year. Blade Scuffler also figures to be involved early.

Deputy’s Command, a fast-closing winner of back-to-back $17,500 conditional claimers, completes the field.