Hastings: Madeira Park finds room to win Ballerina

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Rico Walcott demonstrated why he is the leading rider in Western Canada with a perfectly timed ride aboard Madeira Park in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares Monday at Hastings. Madeira Park paid $7.40 as the favorite in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Madeira Park broke from post 8 in the 12-horse field, and Walcott let her settle into a stalking position behind an honest pace contested by Saturday Nite Ride, Lady Henrietta, and Cry Cry Cry. She started to move into contention on the stretch turn but was stuck behind horses. Walcott gunned her through a small opening at the top of the stretch, where she took over the lead. She was all out to hold off the late-charging Wando Woman by three-quarters of a length. Longshot Touching Promise finished third.

“I had an outside draw and I wanted to get her into a comfortable position early,” Walcott said. “She was on the heels of Saturday Nite Ride most of the race, and when she finally got clear, I really got after her in the stretch.”

The final time was 1:50.26.

Madeira Park wrapped up the local older female title with her second straight stakes win for trainer Dave Forster.

Ascot Graduation: Neverabettercause draws away

Neverabettercause was much the best in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. With Frank Fuentes aboard, Neverabettercause ($8.70) stalked an honest pace while going three wide around the second turn. He started to take control of the race approaching the quarter pole and drew off to win by 3 1/2 lengths over Majestic Mark who made a late move to get up for second. Off the Top trailed the field early before rallying to finish third. The 8-5 favorite Andallthatitmeans finished sixth after contesting the pace.

Always a Sunrise clipped heels leaving the starting gate and unseated Keishan Balgobin who wasn’t injured.

The final time was 1:44.51.

The homebred son of Cause to Believe is trained by Pat Jarvis.

Fantasy: Architecture rallies to victory

Architecture made a strong late move to win the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies. She paid $5.20 as the second choice in the wagering behind Ole’s Miss who was stuck on the rail and had a rough trip while finishing third. Fire Beauty stalked the early pace, took a short lead into the stretch, and held on to finish second in the 1 1/16-mile race.

The final time was 1:45.51.

Architecture is trained by Dino Condilenilos and owned by Swift Thoroughbred Inc., the leading owners at the meet.