Hastings: Stepupforthemoney by a nose in CTHS Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Under a perfectly timed ride by Frank Fuentes, Stepupforthemoney upset the heavily favored Hopeseeker by a nose in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Hastings on Sunday. Stepupforthemoney paid $53.50.

Stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time, Stepupforthemoney was content to bide his time while Ruby’s Victory, He’s Junior, and Stormin for Becka dueled through honest fractions of 23.64 and 47.16 seconds over a very sloppy track. Stepupforthemoney started to move into contention on the stretch turn but still was fifth, with more than three lengths to make up, at the eighth pole.

Fuentes wheeled him out to the middle of the track to make his final push, and the horse got there in the last jump. Hopeseeker stalked the pace and took over the lead in midstretch before coming up just short; 70-1 longshot Stoneridge Raider finished third.

The final time was 1:46.18.

Stepupforthemoney is owned by Lilian Jarvis-Meehan. The $30,000 he earned for his first stakes win brought his career earnings to $47,282. He is trained by Pat Jarvis.

Fuentes also won the fillies’ division of the CTHS Sales Stakes on Sunday with Kiri’s Gal, who paid $6.60 as a slight favorite over Le Facteur Wow in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Kiri’s Gal set a moderate pace and held on just long enough to beat Le Facteur Wow by a neck. Le Facteur Wow trailed the field for six furlongs before starting to make her strong move while going three wide around the stretch turn. Dee’s Dream finished third.

Kiri’s Gal is owned by L. D. S. Enterprises Ltd. and trained by Craig MacPherson.

The final time was 1:47.53.