Hastings: Northern Causeway wins stretch duel with Commander in Richmond Derby Trial

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – In what turned into a two-horse race, Northern Causeway scored a narrow front-running win over heavily favored Commander in the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial at Hastings on Sunday.

With William Antongeorgi aboard, Northern Causeway ($8.30) broke sharply and set moderate fractions of 24:07 and 47.50 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile feature. He held a half-length lead over Commander at the top of the stretch and in a thrilling stretch-long duel he prevailed to win by a neck.

Commander finished a clear 4 1/2 lengths in front of Arraignment, who tired after chasing Northern Causeway early.

The final time was 1:44.01.

Trained by Len Kasmerski, Northern Causeway figures to be among the favorites in the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 11.