Hastings: Taylors Deal threatens track record in Express Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Despite being off for 51 weeks, Taylors Deal came close to equaling the track record for six furlongs at Hastings with an impressive win over Golden Triumph in the $50,000 Express for 3-year-olds and up Monday. The final time of 1:09.54 was just shy of the 1:09.44 standard set by B R Remark in 2008.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Taylors Deal paid $7.30 as a slight favorite over Golden Triumph.

Taylors Deal broke alertly from post No. 2 in the seven-horse field, and with Aaron Gryder aboard, he settled into a stalking position while Golden Triumph and Stormy Canuck dueled through a quick half-mile in 44.95 seconds. Golden Triumph disposed of Stormy Canuck on the stretch turn and took a two-length lead over Taylors Deal, who was still third heading into the stretch.

Taylors Deal was full of run, however, and after collaring Golden Triumph in midstretch, he pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths. El Capone made a strong late run to finish third, a head behind Golden Triumph.

“I was hoping to be where I was early, and I just wanted to make sure I kept him in the clear,” said Gryder, who rode Taylors Deal for the first time Monday. “I was told he had a great turn of foot, so I was expecting it when we got to the top of the stretch.”

Taylors Deal is owned by Glen Todd, who races under the stable name North American Thoroughbred Horse Co. Todd gave credit not only to Taylor but also trainer Mike Puhich for having Taylors Deal ready to roll coming off the lengthy layoff.

“Troy’s had him for the last month, and Mike had him at Pegasus before then,” Todd said. “It was a great team effort.”

Todd was referring to the Pegasus Training and Equine Rehabilitation Center in Redmond, Wash.

Cry Cry Cry wins Ladies Express

One race earlier, Cry Cry Cry rallied to overtake Hidden Harbor in the final strides and win the $50,000 Ladies Express. She paid $6 as the second choice behind I Think So, who finished third in the six-furlong dash for fillies and mares. The final time was 1:10.18.

It was Cry Cry Cry’s fourth straight win for trainer Rosann Anderson. She was ridden by Richard Hamel and is owned by Whieldon Thoroughbreds.