Hastings: What a Score tries to go three turns in Sunday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – What a Score will try and carry her considerable speed around three turns for the first time in a $25,000 claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies drew seven horses and goes as the seventh race.

What a Score is coming off a front-running win over Clarisse B in a $12,500 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs July 21. It was her first start for trainer Jim Brown, who claimed her on July 7 for $7,500 on behalf of Shamrock Racing Stable Ltd.

What a Score is taking a substantial jump in class but she came close to winning a $17,500 claiming sprint June 24 and she is a dangerous horse when she can scoot away on her own. She also owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 72 she earned for her easy win in a $12,500 claiming sprint June 1. Her sire was strictly a sprinter and she is the first foal out of a mare whose lone win came sprinting, so she might be a bit suspect at the distance. Nonetheless, Brown is having a solid meet with 12 wins from 52 starters, and according to Daily Racing Form ’s Formulator, he has a respectable 13-percent strike rate the past five years with horse stretching out the first time. Yang and Commandress are the only horses in the field with a win at the distance.

Yang, trained by Phil Hall, won a similar race July 6. Considering it was her first try going around three turns she is eligible to improve with the experience behind her. It was her first win since she won a $5,000 maiden claiming race gong 5 1/2 furlongs at Turf Paradise in March. In her previous race she rallied to edge What a Score for second in a $17,500 claiming race June 24.

Commandress finished third in Yang’s win July 6 but the shape of Sunday’s race could work in her favor. She came from last to win a similar race June 15, and while Yang was up close to the moderate pace July 6, she had just one horse beaten during the early stages of the race.

Trained by Len Kasmerski, Commandress won a one-mile $20,000 maiden claiming race at Golden Gate March prior to shipping to Hastings.