Hastings: Wando Woman starts slow, finishes fast to win Strawberry Morn

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - A slow beginning didn’t prevent Wando Woman from catching Classic Alley Kat in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn for fillies and mares at Hastings Saturday.

With Frank Fuentes aboard, Wando Woman hesitated coming out of the starting gate in the 1 1/16-mile feature, but being last wasn’t a bad place to be while Classic Alley Kat was carving out extremely fast fractions of 22.54 and 44.94 seconds over a track rated sloppy. Wando Woman trailed Classic Alley Kat by 19 lengths after a half-mile and then started to pick up horses coming out of the second turn. It was clear the race was between Wando Woman and Classic Alley Kat when Wando Woman madea strong move while going four wide around the stretch turn.

Classic Alley Kat held a two-length lead at the top of the stretch but was understandably tiring. Wando Woman, in full flight, took over the lead in midstretch and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Kimmy V finished third in the eight-horse field.

“I just let her settle after she didn’t break very well,” said Fuentes. “When I heard the fractions I knew it wasn’t going to be a problem.”

Final time was 1:44.66. Trained by Cindy Krasner, Wando Woman paid $5.80 as the second favorite behind Classic Alley Kat.