Hastings: Super Steve gets more ground in Sunday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – It is hard to separate the six horses running in an $8,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that serves as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/8-mile race goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Super Steve rates a big chance. Trained by Melanie Walters, Super Steve is 2 for 2 at the distance and will appreciate the added ground following a fifth-place finish in a $10,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs July 1.

Super Steve won a $7,500 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles for trainer Frank Barroby on May 25 and was claimed out of the race by Walters. She then put the horse in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint June 8, and he was able to rally for a 1 1/2-length victory in that $10,000 claiming race.

The 8-year-old Kentucky-bred has compiled a record of 13-12-3 from 57 starts, with $137,340 in earnings. In his most recent outing July 1, he ran into a razor-sharp Lookout Dubai, who won that day and returned to win a $15,000 claiming race July 19.

Scott Williams picks up the mount from Amadeo Perez, who will be aboard Blade Scuffler.

Trained by Phil Hall, Blade Scuffler forced a reasonable pace in his win over Say Fabulous going 1 1/16 miles in a $7,500 claiming race July 21. There is not a lot of speed in Sunday’s field, and Blade Scuffler could get a similar trip.

The Larry Fielding trainee Say Fabulous is versatile and capable of winning if things fall his way. He set the pace in back-to-back races while finishing second behind Toccet’s Charm for $7,500 and $10,000 tags June 21 and July 7. Toccet’s Charm kept his winning streak alive when he jumped up to win a $25,000 claiming race July 19.

In his most recent start, Say Fabulous came from a stalking position to finish a half-length behind Blade Scuffler.

Call Me Later, trained by Steve Henson, was favored when Toccet’s Charm won July 7 but was wide early and got stuck behind a slow pace. He rallied along the rail to finish third, three lengths behind Say Fabulous. Call Me Later was coming off two second-place finishes in $15,000 claiming races May 11 and June 2. He’s versatile, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Enrique Gonzalez ask him for some of his speed while leaving from the inside post.

Iscar figures to be heard from late after rallying to win a $4,000 claiming race July 21.

Yes He’s Trouble completes the field.