Hastings: Lasting Spice looking sharp

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Lasting Spice could be tough to handle when she makes her 2011 debut in a first-level $35,000 optional claiming race at Hastings on Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares drew seven horses and will serve as the feature on the eight-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m.

Trained by Tracy McCarthy, Lasting Spice won her first two starts in conditional allowance races in 2010 and from the looks of her very sharp works this spring she appears to be ready for a big effort Saturday. She was the first horse to work after the 7:30 renovation break April 23, and with jockey Keveh Nicholls aboard she sizzled five furlongs in 58.60 seconds, easily the best of the day. She also earned a bullet for her six-furlong move in 1:13.40 April 9.

Lasting Spice isn’t just a morning glory, though. She has shined in the afternoons, with 4 wins from 9 career starts. She closed out her 2010 season with a four-length win going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 claiming race Sept. 18.

Nicholls has been aboard for most of Lasting Spices’s works this spring and is rewarded with the mount. It will be the first time he has ridden her in a race.

With plenty of speed in the field, it could set up nicely for Mizz Shakin, who is coming off of a fast closing second in a $25,000 claiming race April 16. Trainer Harold Barroby sent her out to work a bullet four-furlongs in 47 seconds April 27, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see her take a big step forward in her second start of the year.

Viva Slew will likely show some of her good speed in her first start since she won back-to-back $30,000 claiming races at Northlands Park last July 11 and Aug. 6.

Viva Slew is trained by Greg Tracy, who has also entered That Voodoo Youdo. A 4-year-old daughter of Speightstown, That Voodoo Youdo won her first two conditions and was stakes-placed in six starts at Northlands last year.

Finality Philly is coming off of a winter campaign in California, where her best finish was a third in a $40,000 claiming race on the Hollywood Park turf course Nov. 14.

Random Highs, third behind Mizz Shakin April 16, should be heard from late.

My Bailout rounds out the field.