Hot pace could favor Razor Barb

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Razor Barb should feast on what is likely to be a hotly contested pace between Sunset Pass, Stormented, and possibly Lady's Jewel in Saturday's feature at Hastings.

Razor Barb has started three times in 2004 and has been part of the triactor in each of her races. She finished second, by a head, to Regal Heir on April 18; scored a narrow win on May 9; and closed strongly to finish third on June 6. All of her races were $25,000 claimers, and she was claimed for that price on May 9 by trainer Harold Barroby for owner K. K. Sangara. With leading jockey Pedro Alvarado riding Razor Barb for the first time, she should be a short price.

Lady's Jewel is making her first start of the year, and hasn't won since capturing the Free Vacation Stakes in 2001. She ran well in her initial outing in 2003, finishing third to stakes winner Secondary School in a $50,000 optional claiming race. A 6-year-old homebred, Lady's Jewel has changed hands for the first time in her career and is now trained by Terry Clyde. It will be interesting to see how she responds to a different set of circumstances since Clyde trains Lady's Jewel at her farm in Langley. Chris Loseth will ride.

Bird of Courage will also appreciate a quick pace. She rallied to finish second in the same race Razor Barb exits, and just missed by a head to Razor Barb in her previous race.

Stormented could be overlooked in the wagering, and if Sunset Pass and Lady's Jewel don't go with her early, she could be dangerous. She won for $25,000 at Santa Anita last year and is making her second start of the year.

The $25,000 sprint for older fillies and mares drew nine horses.