Hastings: Taylors Deal returns in Express

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Taylors Deal makes his long-awaited return in the $50,000 Express for 3-year-olds and up at Hastings on Monday. The Express shares top billing on the eight-race card with the $50,000 Ladies Express for fillies and mares. Both races will be contested at six furlongs.

Taylors Deal, the only stakes winner in the seven-horse field, hasn’t raced since he finished fourth as part of a heavily favored three-horse entry in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby last Sept. 9. According to owner Glen Todd, Taylors Deal came out of the derby with a chip in an ankle. The surgery to remove the chip was successful, but he caught an infection that spread to a joint.

Trainer Troy Taylor was pleased with his horse’s four-furlong move in 46.60 seconds last Wednesday. Signaling his readiness, Taylors Deal galloped out five furlongs in 58.60.

“He’s doing great right now, and he should be fit enough,” Taylor said.

Taylors Deal has won four stakes in his career, including the $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby at Turf Paradise. He went into the B.C. Derby off of a dominating 5 1/4-length win in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay.

Aaron Gryder rides.

Taylor also entered Senor Rain, who has compiled an excellent 3-4-1 record in 8 starts going six furlongs and is making his first start since he finished third in an optional $40,000 claimer won by Senor Rojo, who will likely be favored in the $100,000 Speed to Spare at Northlands Park on Monday.

Golden Triumph is the horse they will have to catch, and if Lookout Dubai doesn’t put any pressure on him early, Golden Triumph could be tough to run down.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Golden Triumph is coming off a huge race, and a similar effort would make him tough to beat. Breaking alertly with Frank Fuentes aboard in a $25,000 claiming race July 7, Golden Triumph set brisk fractions on his way to posting a very fast final time of 1:15.87 for 6 1/2 furlongs. He received a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure, which is easily the best last-race figure in the field.

El Capone and Lornefivehundred will benefit the most if a duel develops.

El Capone came from well back to win a couple of allowance sprints before finishing fourth in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic going 1 1/8 miles.

Lornefivehundred rallied to beat Lookout Dubai by 3 1/4 lengths in a $25,000 claiming race Aug. 9. It was his fourth win of the year, with his other three coming at Golden Gate.

Ladies Express: Cry Cry Cry on roll

Cry Cry Cry will be gunning for her fourth win in a row when she runs in the Ladies Express. Trained by Rosann Anderson, Cry Cry Cry was moved up to second in the Ladies Express last year and since then has lost just one race.

Following a two-month break after winning back-to-back claiming races, she used her good tactical speed to win an allowance race Aug. 18. She figures to get a perfect trip sitting just off what should be a hotly contested pace.

Richard Hamel rides.

Under the allowance conditions of the race, the 3-year-old filly I Think So got the short end of the stick when it comes to weights. A double stakes winner this year, I Think So will carry 124 pounds, giving her older rivals from five to seven pounds.

Trained by Troy Taylor, I Think So won the Ross McLeod and Emerald Downs going 6 1/2 furlongs before coming up short when she stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the Supernaturel. She is coming off an improved effort in the 1 1/16-mile Hong Kong Jockey Club, where she set the pace and held on well to finish second.

Ouch rallied to beat B.C. Cup Distaff winner Dashing Daisy in her last start and could be dangerous from a stalking position.