Hastings: Rallying Cry has much going for him

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Rallying Cry looks like the one to beat in a $7,500 claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on the seven-race card that starts at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Rallying Cry comes out of the very hot Elizabeth Stolzenberg’s barn. From 46 starters at Hastings Stolzenberg has compiled a 20-7-8 record, which equates to a 43 percent win rate. In her only start away from Hastings, Stolzenberg won the $50,000 Wild Rose at Northlands Park with Classic Alley Kat.

Throw in the fact that Rallying Cry looks like the best horse in the field and you have the makings of a solid favorite. Rallying Cry comes into the race in excellent form. He won a $12,500 claiming race over Numaany going 1 1/16 miles June 17 and then experimented at 1 3/8 miles in the first leg of the marathon series and finished third. He won’t mind the move to 1 1/16 miles, a distance at which he has won a third of his starts, and he will also be meeting easier company with the drop in price.

Leading rider Mario Gutierrez retains the mount.

Full Power Ahead is taking a step up in class after winning a $5,000 conditional claimer as the 4-5 favorite. Trained by Terry Clyde, Full Power Ahead won his previous start, which came over bottom-level claimers, and may have found renewed confidence in the back-to-back wins. A winner of 11 races in his 45-race career, Full Power Ahead has plenty of back class, and if he brings his best stuff he should be able to make an impact despite facing tougher company. His two sharp works since he ran on July 1 is a good indication he is ready for another strong effort.

Kanonkule won three races as a 3-year-old and is still trying to find his level as an older horse. This could be it. After coming back from a short layoff, Kanonkule finished fourth in a $35,000 optional claiming race and then was ninth in the same race Rallying Cry exits.

Kanonkule is trained by Dave Forster, who has also entered Diva Ballerina. A 4-year-old filly, Diva Ballerina finished second the only other time she ran with males. She is coming off a fourth-place finish in a $17,500 claiming race for fillies and mares July 17.