Here's Hannah lightens up for Ballerina

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – In this day and age not many horses are assigned 130 pounds in handicap stakes races. After winning seven stakes in a row, Here’s Hannah was tasked with carrying 130 pounds in the $50,000 Delta Colleen. With Richard Hamel aboard, she led most of the way but got nipped at the wire by Bear, who was carrying 118 pounds.

The advantage goes to Here’s Hannah when they each carry 123 pounds in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina on Saturday at Hastings. The 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares drew seven horses, including Amazonian, who is coming off an impressive win in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks. Under the scale-weight conditions of the race, 3-year-olds will carry 118 pounds.

Here’s Hannah, trained by John Morrison, has been nothing less than sensational throughout her 13-race career. She won 7 of 8 starts through her 3-year-old year, and this year at age 4 has won 4 of 5.

Here’s Hannah ran her guts out in the Delta Collen, so it was a bit surprising to see exercise rider Angie Smith having a hard time reeling her in when she resumed training a few days later. Most horses would have needed more time to recover.

“It’s hard to believe how well she came out of the race,” Morrison said. “She’s eating well, training well, ice cold everywhere, and she puts a lot into her training. She’s ready to go.”

Here’s Hannah will break from post 3 with Hamel up. She will be the one they have to run down.

Trainer Glen Todd is thrilled with the way Amazonian is coming into the race. Morrison, who is stabled next to Todd, has been impressed with how Amazonian has been carrying herself around the shed row.

“I’ve really noticed a big change in Amazonian the last month,” Morrison said. “She’ll be tough.”

Amazonian improved dramatically when she ran without blinkers for the first time, winning a $50,000 optional maiden claimer going 6 1/2 furlongs on July 7. She let it be known she was going to be a factor in the 3-year-old filly stakes division when she beat the boys in a first-level allowance race going around three turns on July 20.

Following a runner-up finish to Sunburst in the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club, she put it all together with a 2 1/4-length win in the B.C. Oaks.

Todd is a bit concerned about how the race will shape up on Saturday.

“There isn’t a lot of speed to go with Here’s Hannah,” he said. “We’ll just let Amazonian run her race. When she beat the boys, she laid pretty close.”

Amadeo Perez picks up the mount.

Sunburst, trained by Barbara Heads, was impressive winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club before finishing second in the Oaks.

“The track was funny, and she didn’t really care for it in the Oaks,” Heads said.

Trainer Phil Hall was concerned Bear wouldn’t be given the credit she deserved for her upset win in the Delta Colleen.

“She’s a nice filly and she is going to try,” Hall said.

Bear was eligible to be claimed for $7,000 on July 7 before finishing second to Here’s Hannah in $75,000 B.C. Cup Distaff on Aug. 5.