Here's Hannah hard to handle in B.C. Oaks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Here’s Hannah, undefeated going around three turns and with just one loss in seven lifetime starts, is clearly the one to beat in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings on Saturday.

The 1 1/8-mile race drew 10 horses who will each carry 122 pounds. The Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies, is one of six stakes on a card topped by the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.

Trained by John Morrison, Here’s Hannah is coming off an easy four-length win with Richard Hamel aboard in the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club here on Aug. 6. She took them all the way in the 1 1/16-mile race, but Hamel eased her into a stalking position when she won the $50,000 Supernaturel going the same distance in her previous start.

Here is a scary thought for her opponents’ connections: “I don’t think she’s run her best race yet,” Morrison said. “She keeps getting bigger and stronger, and she continues to eat everything we give her.”

The daughter of Numaany drew post 9, where Hamel will have more than one option.

Raider has been just as dominant at Northlands Park, where she has won her last four starts, all for trainer Greg Tracy. Her only loss as a 3-year-old came in her first start this year in the $50,000 Ross McLeod at Hastings, where she finished third to Here’s Hannah.

In her latest win, the $60,000 Sonoma Handicap, Raider came from a stalking position. She figures to get a similar trip with Rico Walcott retaining the mount. A B.C.-bred daughter of Stephanotis, Raider will break from the outside post.

“I just hope some speed shows up to push Here’s Hannah,” Tracy said. “She’s doing really well and she did just enough to win her races at Northlands.”

Cypress Park, trained by Anita Bolton, could take a big step forward after beating 4-year-old stakes winners Yukon Belle and Daz Lin Dawn in the CTHS Sales Stakes on Aug. 24. It was her first time going a middle distance.

Diamonds R ships in from Emerald Downs, where she was the runner-up to Princessof the Nyl in the $50,000 Washington Oaks for trainer Tom Wenzel on July 22.

S.W. Randall Plate

Calgary Caper stands out in the $50,000 S. W. Randall Plate and can be singled in the pick five, which begins on race 2 with a $90,631 carryover.

The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses, but unless Calgary Caper regresses after easy wins in the Lieutenant Governors and B.C. Cup Classic, he’s the winner.

Delta Colleen

Trainer Blaine Wright has a strong one-two punch with Reginella and Top Quality in the $50,000 Delta Colleen for fillies and mares, which drew seven horses.

Reginella upset Top Quality in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Distaff on Aug. 12. Top Quality was coming off wins in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn at Hastings on June 16 and $50,000 Boeing at Emerald on July 15.

Reginella has speed, but can stalk. Top Quality will be rolling late.

“We know Top Quality likes it at Hastings, and with her running style Reginella should like it there, too,” Wright said.

Blinkers come off Daz Lin Dawn, who is reunited with trainer Nancy Betts. Daz Lin Dawn was perfect as a 3-year-old at Hastings for Betts last year, but she hasn’t fired in four starts, all for Wright, this year.

Notis the Jewel will try to defend her title in the Delta Colleen. She is trending in the right direction for trainer Larry Fielding with a win in the B.C. Cup Distaff on Aug. 6.