Hastings: Herbie D has the speed in Sir Winston Churchill
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Herbie D will attempt to carry his exceptional speed around three turns in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill at Hastings on Sunday.
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The 1 1/16-mile Churchill drew six horses and headlines an eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific. Also on the stakes-rich card is the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares, the $50,000 River Rock Casino for 3-year-olds, and the Emerald Downs, a $50,000 stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Trained by Robert Gilker, Herbie D was voted the champion sprinter in British Columbia in 2012, and considering his impressive win going 6 1/2 furlongs in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 in his first start this year, he has a good shot for a repeat in 2013.
The 5-year-old homebred drew the rail in the Churchill, and there isn’t much doubt he will be the one to catch. With a little help from the stewards, he finished second in the B.C Cup Stellar’s Jay but was placed first. Herbie D is undefeated going 1 1/16 miles He hasn’t lost since he went unplaced in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby in 2011 in just the fourth start of his career, and he earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure for his strong performance in the Longden. Gilker is expecting another strong performance Sunday.
“He couldn’t be doing any better,” Gilker said. “He hasn’t faced these types of horses going long, but it’s hard not to have a lot of confidence in him.”
Amadeo Perez retains the mount.
Shrug has raced twice at Hastings, and it’s obvious he likes it here. Trained by Dino Condilenios, Shrug scored a front-running win in the $50,000 George Royal and then lost the duel but held on well to finish second behind Herbie D in the Longden.
The only time he tried 1 1/16 miles, he won a $40,000 optional claimer in his fourth start at Hollywood Park in 2011. Condilenios said Shrug will probably stalk Herbie D.
“He doesn’t need the lead, and he just inherited it in the George Royal,” Condilenios said.
Crew Leader, also trained by Condilenios, should appreciate the added distance after rallying to finish third going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $30,000 optional claimer won by Wilo Kat, who also is entered.
The connections of multiple route stakes winners Devil in Disguise and Senor Rojo would love to see Shrug and Herbie D get involved in a duel right from the start.