Hastings: Random Highs just needs a repeat of her last race

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Random Highs ran a huge race to win a $12,500 claiming sprint at Hastings last Sunday and she is certainly capable of handling the challenge of stepping up in class when she runs in a $17,500 claiming race for fillies and mares that will serve as Saturday’s feature.

Will she be able to come back with another strong performance in just six days? If she can, she’ll be tough to beat in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, which drew eight horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

It is a tough call which direction Random Highs will go Saturday. Trained by Sylvea Gregory, Random Highs is a classic bounce candidate. Her 4 1/4-length win over Victory With Class was her first start since she won a $5,000 claiming race last Sept. 25. Horses sometimes need time to recover after running a big race following a lengthy layoff.

On the other hand, Random Highs could move forward with a race under her belt. The race should also set up for her. She can stalk and finish, and there should be an honest pace for her to work with.

Amadeo Perez retains the mount.

Alevei and Dina Light battled for the lead before tiring late in a $25,000 claiming race April 14 and once again figure to be involved right from the start.

Alevei won the duel and held on to finish second and could end up being the favorite on Saturday. She is trained by Troy Taylor, who is off to a hot start with 5 wins from 12 starters. Alevei also figures to improve in her second try at a two-turn sprint and second start for Taylor.

Taylor claimed her out of a fifth-place finish in a $16,000 claiming race at Golden Gate Feb. 16. He was acting on behalf of Glen Todd, who races under the stable name North American Thoroughbred Racing Company Inc.

Coatlicue is a possibility at a price. She will be making her first start of the year and she came out running in 2011, winning a $7,500 conditional claiming race by five lengths.

Trained by Cindy Krasner, Coatlicue finished second in four of her next five starts, all for $12,500. She has a solid set of workouts and figures to be in the mix right from the start.

Trainer Jim Brown is off to an excellent start at the meet, compiling a 2-2-1 record from 5 starts. He could improve his record with Camino, who finished third in the same race Alevei and Dina Light exit.