Jarvis looking to strike again in Ascot Graduation

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Pat Jarvis, who won the 2013 Ascot Graduation with Neverabettercause, is hoping for a similar result when she runs his full brother, Kermode, in Monday’s renewal of the $75,000 race at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds drew eight horses and shares the spotlight with the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies going the same distance.

The Ascot goes as race 6. The Fantasy, which drew five horses, is the second half of the early daily double in race 2. The eight-race Canadian Thanksgiving Day card begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Kermode is coming off a 2 1/2-length win over Strate Remark in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity on Sept. 18. He was a maiden going into the Futurity, but he hadn’t finished worse than third in his five previous starts and was coming off a runner-up finish behind Strate Remark in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes.

In the CTHS Sales Stakes, Kermode broke from the rail and dueled with Strate Remark through quick interior fractions. With Amadeo Perez riding him for the first time in the Futurity, he settled early and made a strong late move to win going away.

Jarvis is expecting Kermode to have the same kind of trip Monday.

“He had the rail in the Sales Stakes, and he broke pretty sharply, so it would have been hard to take him back,” she said. “He trains just like Neverabettercause, so I don’t think he’ll have any trouble getting the distance.”

Kermode drew post No. 5, with Perez retaining the mount.

All Under Control finished third as the favorite in the Futurity, and similar to Kermode in the Sales Stakes, he ended up losing his duel with Strate Remark, who also is in this field.

Trainer Mike Anderson is expecting leading rider Richard Hamel to let All Under Control settle early, like he did when he impressively won his debut in a maiden special weight race Aug. 29.

“I was a bit surprised to see him on the lead in the Futurity,” said Anderson. “Richard will be taking a hold of him early in the Ascot though.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Kermode, by Cause to Believe
Last 3 Beyers: 58-52-54

◗ The shape of the race should work for him, and the way he won the Futurity suggests he will thrive going around three turns.

All Under Control, by Storm Victory
Last 2 Beyers: 51-58

◗ His breeding is more sprint-oriented, but he should get a nice trip from a stalking position and may be able to wear down the speed.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Anderson has a 36 percent strike rate with horses going a mile or longer for the first time.

Strate Remark, by Sungold
Last 3 Beyers: 53-53-48

◗ Trained by Cindy Krasner, he is the one they will have to run down, and being a half-brother to Trick of the North, who won the Grade 3 Premier’s going 11 furlongs, he could take them a long way. The presence of other speed, most notably Driller, could make his task difficult, however.

Fantasy Stakes, Race 2

KEY CONTENDERS

Daz Lin Dawn, by Popular
Last 3 Beyers: 53-59-NA

◗ After being pulled up in her debut, she was very impressive in winning her next two races for trainer Nancy Betts. As the only real speed in the field, she should be able to set a moderate pace.

“If she breaks well, I expect she’ll be on the lead, but she’s like an older horse, and you can do whatever you want with her,” said Betts.

◗ Her stakes-placed full brother, Dashing Don, is a two-time route winner.

Yukon Belle, by Drosselmeyer
Last 2 Beyers: 52-48

◗ Trained by Barbara Heads, she was a longshot when she rallied to win the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes in her debut and had a wide trip when she finished third as the favorite in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity in her second start.

◗ She drew the rail, where she should save ground, and could be dangerous if she can keep in touch with Daz Lin Dawn early.

Anstrum, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 54-44-55

◗ Trained by Anita Bolton, she is still a maiden but was right there in her last three starts in stakes races, including a runner-up finish in the Sadie Diamond Futurity. A deep closer, she could show more speed with the blinkers going on.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Bolton has won with 24 percent of her starters running with blinkers for the first time.