Hastings: Dash Smartly drops from stakes to allowance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Take your pick in what appears to be a wide-open feature at Hastings on Wednesday. The 6 1/2-furlong allowance race for 3-year-olds and up that have never won two races, or B.C.-bred nonwinners of three, drew nine horses and goes race 7 on the eight-race card that begins at 3:30 p.m. Pacific.

Trainer Charlene Miller is looking for a strong effort from Dash Smartly, who will be making just his third start and first since he finished sixth in the $35,000 Tempe at Turf Paradise on March 17. According to Miller, Dash Smartly had an excuse in the one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds.

“He blew a shoe going into the first turn and then couldn’t handle the track at all,” she said. “Then he abscessed, and it has taken a while to get him back to the races.”

Dash Smartly beat the handy 3-year-old The Gov in his sprint debut. The Gov won his next start, which came at Turf Paradise, and along with a win in a first-level allowance at Hastings, he has been stakes placed three times at the meet. Miller likes the way Dash Smartly is coming up to the race. Dash Smartly also impressed the local clockers when he worked three furlongs in 34 seconds Saturday.

“I think he’s got a chance to be a pretty nice horse,” Miller said.

Richard Hamel rides Dash Smartly.

Alberta Breeze will appreciate the easier company after trying Taylor’s Deal in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay, where he finished fifth in his first route attempt. Taylor’s Deal is the early favorite for the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 9.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, Alberta Breeze has run well in both of his sprints this year. He won a $25,000 claiming race by 4 1/2 lengths in his first start this year and rallied to finish second in a first-level allowance race July 8.

Stolenotis has the best last race, and if he can come close to repeating his third-place finish behind Herbie D. in the second-fastest 6 1/2-furlong race at the meet, he is probably the winner. Trained by Patty Leaney, Stolenotis could bounce after earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure, though.

Golden Triumph, will be making his first start of the year. Trained by Dino Condilenios, Golden Triumph closed his 3-year-old season last September with a win in a key maiden special weight race at Delaware Park for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.