Hastings: Dashing Daisy may be tough to handle in Saturday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Dashing Daisy will try to make amends for failing as the favorite last out when she runs in a $15,000 claiming race for fillies and mares that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on the eight-race card which begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Dashing Daisy was sent off as the 3-2 favorite when she made her seasonal debut in a $25,000 claiming race May 11, but her late rally came up a half-length short and she had to settle for second behind Lasting Spice, who led from start to finish. Dashing Daisy could be tough to handle with a race under her belt.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Dashing Daisy was named the province’s champion older female in 2011 when she won two stakes races, including the British Columbia Distaff. Her performance fell off substantially last year, however. Her only wins came in a $25,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles July 22 and a narrow score over My Bailout in a $15,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs in her last start of the year on Sept. 29.

Dashing Daisy does her best running from a stalking position, and she shouldn’t be too far off what figures to be an honest pace.

Aaron Gryder retains the mount.

Cry Cry Cry also figures to move forward in her second start this year. Trained by Rosann Anderson, Cry Cry Cry drew the inside post, where she will have to use her good speed to avoid getting pinned down on the rail. She closed out 2012 with a win over Terlani in a $40,000 optional claimer. In her initial start this year, Cry Cry Cry forced the issue before tiring to finish third in the same race that Dashing Daisy exits.

El Ciervo is stepping up in class and looking for her third straight win. Trainer Larry Grieve claimed her for $7,500 out of her last race on behalf of K&G Stable. She was impressive in both of her recent wins and might be good enough to stand the jump.

Eleadora had won three straight races before finishing third behind Lasting Spice on April 20.

Ouch finished a neck behind Cry Cry Cry last month in her first start as a 4-year-old and is eligible to improve enough to pull off an upset.

Clarisse B and Dearest Princess complete the competitive field.