Improving filly must be caught

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Anywaythewindblows could be tough to catch Saturday in the seventh race at Hastings, an $8,000 claimer for fillies and mares who have not won three races. The 6 1/2-furlong race drew 12 horses, with Loud Linda and Sexy Operator marooned on the also-eligible list.

Anywaythewindblows led for all but the last couple of jumps in a similar race July 21, and she appears to have enough speed to clear early despite leaving from post 10.

Trained by leading trainer Toni Cloutier, Anywaythewindblows has been a pretty honest horse in her six starts. She won an $8,000 maiden race in her debut April 28 and she has hit the board in every race except her second start, a sixth-place finish in a $20,000 nonwinners of two May 13. Anywaythewindblows seems to have improved. The horse that easily handled her in May, Cherokee Freedom, narrowly edged her in her latest start.

Richard Hamel rides Anywaythewindblows, and there's not much doubt that he'll try and put her right on the lead.

Principe's Passion, who is trained and owned by Ron Principe, is the lone 3-year-old in the field. She was very sharp in two straight wins sprinting against her own age group and then tired after setting the pace when she tried to stretch out for the first time in a 1 1/16-mile $8,000 nonwinners of three for fillies and mares July 29. She has tactical speed and figures to get a good trip from just off the pace.

Angelina B is coming off of a good effort against $11,000 open company July 29 and could be dangerous with the drop into a conditional race.