Hastings Park: Fancy As fancy does

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Fancy As earned serious consideration for a Sovereign Award as the best 3-year-old in Canada with a comfortable 1 1/2-length win over older horses in the $101,676 Grade 3 Premier's Stakes at Hastings Park.

Sent off as the 4-5 choice, Fancy As, under jockey Richard Hamel, stalked front-running Lord Nelson for six furlongs, at which time Colonial Secretary joined them and forced the issue from the outside. Hamel let Fancy As drop back a couple of lengths before asking for his best approaching the stretch turn. By the time they straightened out Fancy As was in full gear and he drew off from a stubborn Lord Nelson in the last sixteenth to win under wraps.

Final time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:20.07 on a track labeled good. Colonial Secretary finished third. Fancy As was purchased for $3,200 as a yearling by trainer Red Smith's Red Ron Farms and Linda Smith. The $60,000 he earned in the Premier's brought his total earnings to $548,720.