Here's Hannah will have to earn the win in Ross McLeod Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Here’s Hannah, undefeated in three starts as a 2-year-old, will get a real test when she makes her 3-year-old debut in the $50,000 Ross McLeod on Sunday at Hastings.

Here’s Hannah toyed with her rivals last year, taking them the whole way in all three races while setting honest but not blazing fractions. That won’t be the case in the 6 1/2-furlong Ross McLeod for 3-year-old fillies, which drew eight horses.

Suzette may push Here’s Hannah early. Suzette used her good speed to win her last two starts, both in Alberta, by a combined 17 3/4 lengths. The Greg Tracy-trained Kentucky-bred will have to improve to win the McLeod, but she could soften up Here’s Hannah enough to set up My Aunt Mo, who would probably be undefeated except for a rough trip in the $49,500 Angie C at Emerald Downs.

Make no mistake, though, Here’s Hannah is clearly the one to beat, and she has been training like a bear leading up to her first start since she won the $100,000 Fantasy by eight lengths here Sept. 30.

“She’s doing really well, “said her trainer, John Morrison. “She came into the track fit and has trained pretty hard since she got here. There’s not much else to say except she’s ready to go.”

Here’s Hannah said enough last year, and if she runs as well as she looks right now she could be a handful. She breaks from post 5 with her usual rider Richard Hamel aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Here’s Hannah, by Numaany

Last 3 Beyers: 64-64-61

◗ She’s wasn’t tested in her three starts last year, and it will be interesting to see how she holds up to what should be substantial pressure from other speed. Even though she led all the way in her races last year, she doesn’t appear to be a need-the-lead type of horse. We’ll know more about that Sunday.

◗ Here's Hannah blew out a quarter in 23.81 seconds and galloped out three furlongs in 35.96 Friday morning with exercise rider Angie Smith aboard.

My Aunt Mo, by Uncle Mo

Last 3 Beyers: 46-46-61

◗ With Mario Gutierrez aboard, she came from a stalking position when she easily won the $50,000 Hard Rock Casino here in her last start Aug. 7. She should get a similar trip Sunday with Aaron Gryder picking up the mount.

“John has a very nice filly, but it could set up nicely for my horse,” trainer Glen Todd said. “She’s been training well, and now we’ll find out if she’s good enough. I think she is. I also like that she drew the outside post where she should get a clean trip.”

Suzette, by Overanalyze

Last 3 Beyers: 45-44-37

◗ She has trained forwardly for Tracy, who the past five years has a 31 percent strike rate and $3.42 return on investment with horses coming back from a layoff of 180 days or more.