Jam N Addy figures to put on a show for Friday night crowd

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – If tradition holds true, there will be a young, lively, and late-arriving crowd at Hastings for the first Friday evening card of the year. Saturdays will be dropped until Sept. 8, when the usual Saturday-Sunday schedule resumes.

One of the features of the six Friday cards is a $10,000-guaranteed pool for the late pick four. Post time for the card’s first race is 7 p.m.

Jam N Addy will likely be favored in a $25,000 claiming race with second-level allowance conditions that will serve as this Friday’s feature. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses.

Racing for trainer Phil Hall, Jam N Addy was the 4-5 choice in a second-level allowance race with a $35,000 claiming option here June 16. After forcing an honest pace, he faded and finished last in the five-horse field.

One of the reasons he will be a short price Friday is that he was haltered out of the race by trainer Anita Bolton, who was acting on behalf of Bob Cheema. Bolton has a 44 percent strike rate and $2.45 return on investment the past five years with claimed horses running back the first time.

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred, Jam N Addy is versatile, and he does not need to get involved in a duel like he did in his last start. If he can settle behind Dashing Don on Friday, he could be tough to beat.

Jam N Addy drew the outside post with Enrique Gonzalez retaining the mount.

If a duel does develop, the main beneficiary will be Square Dancer, who rallied to win a $25,000 claimer for trainer Steve Henson on July 1. It was his first victory since he won the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate in 2015.

KEY CONTENDERS

Jam N Addy, by Sightseeing

Last 3 Beyers: 68-82-69

◗ The pace shouldn’t be as fast as it was in his last start. If he runs back to his runner-up finish in a $35,000 optional claimer on May 26, he should be the winner.

Square Dancer, by Circular Quay

Last 3 Beyers: 70-74-75

◗ He hinted that he was ready to end his long losing streak when he was the runner-up in Jam N Addy’s dull effort June 16, and he looked great winning his last start.

◗ Scott Williams has a return call.

◗ The 2015 local horse of the year, he worked a sharp half-mile in 47.80 seconds July 21, and he appears primed for another strong performance.

Willing to Travel, by Pleasantly Perfect

Last 3 Beyers: 69-59-52

◗ The water is a lot deeper here, but he was impressive winning an $8,000 claiming race in his last start and might be good enough to stand the jump while making his first start for trainer Steve Bryant, who claimed him on behalf of Big Fly Stables.