Kermode capitalizes on fast pace to win Jack Diamond Futurity
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Kermode took advantage of a hotly contested pace to win the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity at Hastings on Sunday. He paid $12.30 for his 2 1/2-length win over Strate Remark.
In his last start in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes, Kermode and Strate Remark hooked up early. Strate Remark won the duel and the race with Kermode holding on to finish second. In the Futurity, Strate Remark, All Under Control, and Silent Eagle battled through a quick first quarter-mile in 22:07 seconds over a track rated good. Meanwhile, Kermode, with Amadeo Perez aboard, was biding his time with just one horse beat in the eight-horse field. Strate Remark and All Under Control continued the duel through a half-mile in 45.91 seconds. Kermode, still sixth, was starting to wind up, though. He was in full flight on the stretch turn and it was pretty clear he was going to win the 6 1/2-furlong dash at the top of the stretch. Strate Remark held on finish second with All Under Control holding off Kelson by a neck for third.
Kermode is trained by Pat Jarvis and owned by Kermode Stable. Brian Anderson, who is part of the stable and along with his wife Carol Anderson bred the son of Cause To Believe, spoke on behalf of the group. He had praise for Perez, who won three stakes last weekend, including the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks.
“Amadeo has been hot and he gave him a great ride,” said Anderson. “He had the one hole so we wanted him to come from off the pace. I was pretty confident he was going to win when he was rolling on the stretch turn.”
The final time was 1:1:18.69.
It was a completely different scenario in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, won by Spirit Bay ($8.90).
With Denis Araujo aboard, Spirit Bay held a head advantage over Sheri Sugar Rush after a half-mile in a moderate 47:15 seconds. She opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, and never looked like losing while holding off Anstrum, who rallied late. The favorite, Yukon Belle, had a wide trip while finishing third. The winning margin was a half-length.
“She felt awesome,” said Araujo. “She broke good and got the position I wanted.”
Spirit Bay is trained by Phil Hall, who was emotional in the winner’s circle. Hall’s father, Bobby Hall, trained and owned the great George Royal, who is the only horse bred in British Columbia to win a Grade 1 race. The senior Hall died last year.
“I wore my dad’s tie for the first time today,” said Hall. “This was a race I really wanted to win.”
The final time was 1:18.93.