Hastings trainers feeling right at home at Emerald

Hastings-based trainers Rosann Anderson and Robert Gilker are planning to return to Emerald Downs in the near future.

Anderson won a first-level allowance race at Emerald with Bonus Spin last Sunday. Gilker won the $50,000 Irish Day for 3-year-old fillies with Princess Katie on May 29.

Bonus Spin came from a stalking position to win the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, and Anderson was happy with the way she came out of the race.

“She’s doing well,” she said. “She’s eligible for the same condition, so we’ll probably go back down with her.”

She gave credit for Bonus Spin’s strong performance to Bryson and Kay Cooper – and also Gilker.

“We sent her down three days before the race, and Kay and Bryson had her feeling like she was at home,” said Anderson. “When she arrived from California this winter, her feet were in pretty bad shape. Rob [Gilker], who is also a blacksmith, did a great job shoeing her.”

Anderson and owner Mike Whieldon weren’t sure when Bonus Spin would run next.

“We were just talking about that, but we haven’t looked at a condition book yet,” she said. “The main thing is that she came out of the race in great shape.”

Gilker probably will run Princess Katie in the $50,000 Kent Stakes on June 26, he said. The Kent is the final prep for the $75,000 Washington Oaks on July 24. Following the Washington Oaks, Princess Katie will be pointed toward the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings on Sept. 10. The next stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings is the $50,000 Supernaturel on July 1.

“The timing for the Kent is better for her in regards to running in the Washington Oaks, which is the main goal,” said Gilker.

Gilker is also happy to avoid running into Snuggles, who has won both stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings. The sophomore filly division appears to be tougher at Hastings, but the boys might be better at Emerald.

Among the Emerald-based 3-year-olds is Barkley, who is undefeated in five starts. Trained by Howard Belvoir, he received an 81 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes on June 5. He carried 124 pounds in his neck win over Mach One Rules in the one-mile race.

At Hastings, the Charlene Miller-trained Stanz in Command was given a 73 Beyer for his nose win over Silvertown going 6 1/2 furlongs in the $50,000 River Rock Casino for 3-year-olds on the same day.

◗ Knight Club, who had her four-race winning streak stopped in her last race, is the consensus best bet in race 6 on Friday’s six-race card, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.