Hastings: High End Man, Evelyn's Dancer dominant winners

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – High End Man earned his way into the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 9 with an impressive win over The Gov in the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial at Hastings on Friday night.

Trained by Pete Gregory, High End Man paid $4.10 for his 5 1/4-,length win in the mile and a sixteenth race for 3-year-olds.

With leading rider Amado Perez aboard, High End Man stalked The Gov through moderate fractions of 24.49, 48.05 and 1:12.42. He moved up to engage The Gov entering the stretch turn and quickly took command. He held a half-length lead into the stretch and drew away while being ridden out. Wilo Kat finished third in the five-horse field.

The final time was an excellent 1:42.86, less than a second off the track record of 1:42.20 set by Coral Isle in 1973.

Evelyn’s Dancer confirmed her status as the heavy favorite to win the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 9 with another dominating win in the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies. She paid $2.50 as the overwhelming choice in the mile and a sixteenth race.

Fernando Perez put her into the race early and after seizing the lead from longshot Kataliah following a half mile in 48.76 she never looked threatened. The winning margin over Dance the Wind who made a late move along the rail was a flattering 2 1/4 lengths. Racing for Gold finished third.

The final time was 1:44.85.

Evelyn’s Dancer carried high weight of 125 pounds and spotted her rivals between 10 and 16 pounds. She will carry scale weight of 121 pounds in the Oaks. She is trained by Troy Taylor.