Hastings: Overvalued may be a vulnerable favorite

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Overvalued has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $50,000 Strawberry Morn Handicap at Hastings on Sunday, but any of the six fillies and mares entered in the 1 1/16-mile feature could win the race.

Overvalued is the one they will have to run down and she is eligible to take a big step forward following a solid effort in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun on June 17. Trained by Tracy McCarthy, Overvalued set moderate fractions in the 1 1/16-mile Sun but couldn’t hold off Terlani in the stretch and had to settle for second. With a three-turn race behind her Overvalued could be long gone if she is allowed to dictate the race from the start.

Enrique Gonzalez rides Overvalued.

Overvalued had things her own way in the Sun but that might not be the case in the Strawberry Morn.

Tierra Del Feugo has good speed and leading rider Amadeo Perez figures to use it leaving from the rail. Trained by Barbara Heads, Tierra Del Feugo forced a quick pace and held on well to finish second in a 1 1/16-mile first-level $35,000 optional claiming race won by Heidi Maria on June 10 and could be ready for a peak effort in her third start of the year.

Heidi Maria is the only horse in the field that hasn’t won a stakes race but that could easily change Sunday. She came from a stalking position to beat Tierra Del Feugo in her first start at Hastings for trainer Dave Forster, and figures to get a similar trip here. Heidi Maria had previously been based in Southern California with trainer Mark Glatt where her lone win came in a maiden special weight race on grass at Hollywood Park last December.

Caged Mistress was very impressive working five furlongs in 1:00.40 on July 2 and, according to her trainer, Troy Taylor, is ready for a big race. She hasn’t won since she won back-to-back $50,000 optional claiming races last year in May and June. She was turned out after finishing second in the Vancouver Sun last year. Caged Mistress was in a stalking position before tiring late to finish fourth in this year’s Sun.

Orchid’s Silver and Wando Woman could do some damage if Tierra Del Feugo and Overvalued get carried away up front.

Orchid’s Silver won the Grade 3 Ballerina last year. Wando Woman is looking for her first win since the Strawberry Morn last year.