Hastings: The Gov goes turf to dirt for Saturday allowance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall is hoping his strong numbers with horses going from turf to dirt hold up when he runs The Gov in a $50,000 optional race for 3-year-olds at Hastings Saturday. The six-furlong dash drew seven horses and headlines an eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Since 2010 Hall has won with six of the 14 starters he has moved from turf to dirt. The median payoff has been $13.10 and the return on investment is an excellent $4.70.

The Gov is coming off a sharp win over the grass at Turf Paradise in a 7 1/2-furlong $30,000 optional maiden race March 25.

“It’s been a good angle for me,” said Hall. “The Gov really improved when he ran on the grass.”

Similar to all the horses in the field, The Gov has good speed. In his race at Turf Paradise set honest fractions before drawing off to win by 3 3/4 lengths.

“He’s still a bit green but he improves every time he runs,” said Hall. “He’s talented and fit enough, so I think he’ll run a big race.”

Richard Hamel rides The Gov.

Hall has also entered Unquiet, who figures to use his good speed breaking from the rail. He won a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race before tiring in two tries with stakes horses.

Sir Hayden was a sharp winner of a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race in his second start June 10. He tired after forcing the pace when he came back in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 9.

Trainer Tracy McCarthy said Sir Hayden is training well leading up to his first start of the year and that she was hoping to find something out about him.

“I think there is some quality to him and really matured over the winter,” said McCarthy. “But you never know how they want to run when they become 3-year-olds. I’m just going to tell the rider to let him run his own race and we’ll go from there.”

Jockey Dave Wilson will get to decide if he wants to be part of what figures to be a rapid pace or try and stalk.

Lucky Moly Miner is the only horse in the field with a win at six furlongs. Trained by Jodie Rawson, Lucky Moly Miner won a $20,000 maiden race in his second start last Sept. 10. He forced the pace before fading when he stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation.