Hastings: Stratify gets class relief in sprint feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Stratify will appreciate the class relief when he runs in a $25,000 claiming race that headlines a seven-race card Friday night at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as the fourth race. Post time for the first race is 7:15 p.m. Pacific.

It is a bit surprising to see Stratify in for a $25,000 claiming price following a decent effort going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor’s on July 1. With Richard Hamel aboard, Stratify found himself dueling with Herbie D and not surprisingly faded in the stretch to finish fifth in the six-horse field. He held on for a long time, though, and Herbie D came back to set a stakes record going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Mount Rainier Handicap at Emerald Downs on July 21.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Stratify appeared to be headed in the right direction when he won a first-level allowance race May 20. He also showed a lot of potential when he rallied to finish third in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race after spotting the field quite a few lengths at the start when he broke poorly.

Hamel retains the mount and will likely put Stratify into a stalking position behind what should be a hotly contested pace.

Mia’s Miracle, Lookout Dubai, and A Lasting Peace all have good speed and are sharp horses right now.

If the expected duel develops, it could set up nicely for Lornefivehundred, who has won three races this year, all on the Tapeta main track at Golden Gate.

Lornefivehundred’s latest win came in a $12,500 claiming race May 2, and he followed up his big effort with a fast-closing second going six furlongs in a $16,000 starter race June 7. Switching to dirt, he ran an even race while finishing fifth in a $16,000 claiming race at Pleasanton going six furlongs June 29.

Lornefivehundred was trained in California by Gordy Wells. He is reunited at Hastings with trainer Rob Maybin, who along with his wife, Sheena, bred and own the 7-year-old gelding. Lornefivehundred has won three races for the Maybins at Hastings, but five of his eight career wins have come running over Tapeta at Golden Gate.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, Bearrock N Roll rallied to take the lead in midstretch only to be nipped at the wire by Toccet’s Charm in a $25,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on July 19. Nine of his 14 wins have been in sprints, so he shouldn’t mind the cut back in distance.