Hastings: Evelyn's Dancer keeps team rolling with Emerald Downs score

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The combination of owner Glen Todd, trainer Troy Taylor and Fernando Perez has won the last three stakes at Hastings, including the $50,000 Emerald Downs with Evelyn’s Dancer last Sunday. The Emerald Downs was the first middle-distance stakes for 3-year-old fillies at the meet, and the way Evelyn’s Dancer won the 1 1/16-mile race she figures to be a major player in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks Sept. 9.

Perez had Evelyn’s Dancer sitting just off a very fast pace and she still finished full of run to win going away in an excellent 1:44.30. Madeira Park came from last to finish second.

“She came out of the race in great shape,” said Taylor. “We’ll probably bring her back in the next stakes here.”

That would be the $50,000 Supernaturel July 7.

Trainer Dave Forster was happy with the way Madeira Park ran in her first try going around three turns. It was also her first time running in a stakes race.

“She is still eligible for a nonwinners of two and hopefully we can find a race for her,” said Forster.

Forster was also pleased with the way Heidi Maria came out of her win in a first-level $35,000 optional claiming race for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles Sunday.

“I just proved it is a lot easier winning a nonwinners of two at Hastings than it is at Hollywood.”

A 4-year-old filly, Heidi Maria had come close but couldn’t quite get over the top while running in first-level allowance races at Hollywood. Forster would love to run Heidi Maria back in another conditional race, but her next start at Hastings will likely be in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn July 15.