Hastings: Lasting Spice likely to get her track

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Tracy McCarthy probably won’t be upset if the weather forecast calling for rain in Vancouver Sunday is correct. After all, Lasting Spice, the horse she has entered in a $12,500 claiming race that will serve as the feature race at Hastings, loves a wet track.

Lasting Spice will likely be favored in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, which drew nine fillies and mares. Throw a little water in the mix and she looks formidable.

In four starts over wet surfaces, Lasting Spice has won three times. It is easy to forgive her for finishing fifth when she was favored in a $25,000 claiming race in her only loss over a sloppy track. The horse that won the race, Dashing Daisy, went on to win three of her next four starts, including two stakes. Dashing Daisy figures to be one of the favorites in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina next Sunday.

Lasting Spice is a better horse going a middle distance, but she has won two sprints in her 14-race career. Her last win going around two turns here was on May 14, 2010, when she came from slightly off the pace to beat Dashing Daisy in a second-level allowance race. In her three wins going 1 1/16 miles she led from start to finish.

In her last start, Lasting Spice set honest fractions before giving way late to Borgatello in a $17,500 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles. With plenty of other potential speed in the field on Sunday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mario Gutierrez ease her into a stalking position early.

Diana’s Legacy looks like the main threat, and she will appreciate the easier company after finishing last in the $50,000 Ladies Bar and Grill Express won by Classic Alley Kat Sept. 11. A Nancy Betts trainee, Diana’s Legacy won a $12,500 claiming sprint in her previous start.

Princess Rainier, trained by Larry Grieve, is coming off a fast-closing second behind Terlani in a $12,500 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 5. She came into the race off a win over the boys in a $12,500 claiming race for horses that haven’t won two races.

A lively pace should be provided by B.C. Cat, Tamarinda and Nicotiana. The fast pace could play into the hands of Vying Ty Grr, who has won two of her last three starts, with both wins from off the pace.