Hastings: Go for Guinness pulls away in Stellar’s Jay

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Go for Guinness took a big step toward the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby with a strong performance in Monday’s $50,000 Stellar’s Jay at Hastings. Go for Guinness paid $11.50 as the third choice in the 11-horse field of 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles.

The race was one of six stakes for British Columbia-breds on the B.C. Cup Day card.

Patiently ridden by Amadeo Perez, Go for Guinness stalked a fast pace set by longshot S R Rocketman. He moved to the lead just past the three-furlong pole, where he was immediately collared by Ruby’s Victory. Perez had a lot of horse under him, however, and Go for Guinness started to assert control on the stretch turn, taking a clear lead going into the stretch and drawing off to win by 6 1/2 lengths over Mark who rallied late. Ruby’s Victory held on to finish third. Tracker, sent off as the lukewarm favorite, finished sixth.

It was the first time Perez had ridden Go for Guinness for trainer Dave Forster.

“I really didn’t know anything about him, and all I knew is that they wanted me to try and get him to relax early,” Perez said. “He relaxed nicely and then finished strong.”

The final time was 1:43.10.

In other B.C. Cup Stakes:

* Dashing Daisy ($46.60) pulled off a huge upset in the $50,000 Distaff for fillies and mares. Ridden by Antonio Reyes, Dashing Daisy rallied from well of the pace to edge Wando Woman by a neck in the 1 1/8-mile race. Dance the Wind finished third. Favored Gosailgo set the pace before tiring to finish fifth.

Trainer William Lavanway claimed Dashing Daisy for $15,000 on behalf of Corsair Holdingson June 1. She also won the Distaff in 2011.

The final time was 1:50.40.

* Vancouver’s favorite adopted son Mario Gutierrez gave the large crowd a thrill by winning the $50,000 Dogwood aboard Tempered Steel. Largely due to the presence of Gutierrez, Tempered Steel paid $5.20 as the favorite in the 10-horse field.

Tempered Steel, trained by Brian O’Connell, rallied from midpack to win the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies by 1 1/4lengths over Locket. Touching Promise finished third.

The final time was 1:44.45.

* With Scott Williams aboard, Andallthatitmeans ($17.60) took control early and drew off to win the $50,000 Nursery, a 6 1/2-furlong stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings, by 10 1/4 lengths. First-time starter Son of Tiago finished a clear second over heavily favored Deviance. Trained by Anita Bolton, Andallthatitmeans posted a final time of 1:17.34.

* Architecture came from a stalking position to win the $50,000 Debutante, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies. Sent off as the heavy favorite in the 11-horse field, Architecture paid $4.50. Architecuture is trained by Dino Condilenios. The final time was 1:18.00.