Hastings: Stormin for Becka looks imposing in male division of CTHS Sale Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Stormin for Becka, an impressive debut winner for trainer Craig MacPherson, should be tough to handle in the colts and geldings division of the $50,000 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sales Stakes at Hastings on Friday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew 10 horses and headlines the eight-race car, which begins at 3:20 p.m. Pacific.

Bamboo Dream heads the fillies division, which attracted six horses and goes as the third race.

The races serve as an advertisement for the upcoming CTHS yearling and mixed sale at Thunderbird Show Park on Sept. 11. There are 127 yearlings cataloged.

Stormin for Becka was purchased for $46,000 by Leo and Norma Shaw out of last year’s sale, and if his debut in an optional $40,000 maiden claiming race going about six furlongs was any indication it won’t be long before they are out on the smart-looking colt. Stormin for Becka seemed comfortable sitting a few lengths off a spirited duel between Gambino and Luckynumberfive before he moved into contention on the stretch turn. He took control of the race coming into the stretch and drew off to beat Gambino by 3 1/4 lengths.

MacPherson is expecting another strong performance Friday.

“He should move forward with a race behind him,” said MacPherson. “We have been pretty high on him right from the start.”

Leading rider Amadeo Perez retains the mount.

Gambino and Luckynumberfive dueled each other into defeat and once again figure to be involved early.

Gambino held on well to finish second but Luckynumberfive, a half-brother to Canadian champion Dancing Allstar, figures to improve in his second start. Trained by Lenore Dubois, Luckynumberfive was on his toes when he came back to work five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Aug. 16.

Gambino, trained by Greg Tracy, has finished second in all three of his starts and went off as the 1-2 favorite in the Aug. 5 race off of his strong effort behind Bridge Jumper in the $50,000 New Westminster Stakes on July 14. He has shown good speed in all of his races and Richard Hamel will have to decide if he wants to try and run with Luckynumberfive, who drew inside of him, or try and stalk.

Dog scored a front-running win in his debut in a $10,000 maiden claiming race July 29 and figures to put his good speed to use leaving from post-1.

Bamboo Dream won her last two races from well off the pace, but there isn’t a lot of apparent speed in the fillies division so she might be vulnerable.

Trained by Patty Leaney, Bamboo Dream overcame trouble to win an optional $40,000 maiden claiming race July 21, and she benefited the most when Officer’s Charm rattled off extreme fractions in the B.C. Cup Debutante.

Kiri’s Gal showed tactical speed before tiring in Bamboo Dreams win July 21 and could take a big step forward in her second start.

I Want to Dust Her is the only other winner in the field.