Herbie D primed for British Columbia Cup Classic
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Robert Gilker gambled and won when he ran Herbie D in an optional $35,000 claiming race, which he won Aug. 9. Herbie D, the 2013 Longacres Mile winner, had never been eligible to be claimed, and the move could pay off in spades when Herbie D runs in the $50,000 British Columbia Cup Classic at Hastings on Friday night.
In order to increase field size on B.C. Cup Day earlier this month, the B.C. Cup Classic was moved from its traditional slot on B.C. Cup Day and replaced with the $100,000 Redekop Classic, which drew nine horses. Herbie D figures to be a short price in the 1 1/8-mile B.C. Cup Classic, which drew six horses. There are six stakes on the eight-race card, with the Classic going off at approximately 10:23 p.m. Pacific.
Herbie D broke sharply and never looked back when he won his last race going 6 1/2 furlongs, and the multiple route-stakes winner will be the one they have to get past after he breaks from the inside post with Amadeo Perez retaining the mount.
Gilker is hopeful that Herbie D can carry his speed nine furlongs. The only time he tried the distance was in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby in just his fourth start. He forced a wicked pace before fading to seventh.
“It was nice to see him run as well as he did in his last race,” said Gilker. “He came out of it in great shape, and if he can stay up that late, he should run a good race.”
Wilo Kat is looking for his first win since he won last year’s B.C. Cup Classic. Trained by John Snow, he rallied to finish second in a $25,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 7.
“He’s had a nagging injury that’s bothered him for a while, but he seems to be doing very well right now,” said Snow.
The 2013 B.C. Cup Classic winner, Brass and Gold, is coming off a third-place finish in the Redekop Classic and should get a nice trip from a stalking position.
◗ The stakes-rich card begins at 7:05 p.m. with the $50,000 B.C. Cup Distaff, which drew just four horses. Dawselina, trained by Rosann Anderson, is the lone speed in the 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares and could be tough to catch if she breaks alertly from post 2 with Pedro Alvarado aboard.
She won the B.C. Cup Dogwood and the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a 3-year-old last year and could be coming up to a peak performance after finishing fifth in the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff on B.C. Cup Day.
◗ Stanz in Command should be favored in the $50,000, 6 1/2-furlong New Westminster Handicap for 2-year-olds. He came from out of the clouds when he won the B.C. Cup Nursery in his debut Aug. 3.
“He has more speed than he showed in the Nursery, and hopefully he won’t get so far behind,” said trainer Charlene Miller.
Trainer Snow is high on Rock Concert, who romped by 9 1/4 lengths when he debuted in a maiden special weight race Aug. 9.
◗ C U At Eau Claire, trained by Greg Tracy, used her tactical speed to edge Snuggles in the B.C. Cup Debutante and could be the one they have to run down in the $50,000 Hard Rock Casino Vancouver Handicap for 2-year-old fillies. Trainer Dino Condilenios expects Snuggles, last early in the Debutante, to be involved a lot sooner in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.