Killin Me Smalls too good in B.C. Premier's

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Killin Me Smalls dominated the Grade 3, $100,000 B.C. Premier's Handicap at Hastings Monday. He paid $4.20 for his 5 3/4-length romp over Square Dancer in the 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

The Premier's was one of four stakes on the Monday card, which also included the Fantasy Stakes, the Ascot Graduation, and the Ballerina Stakes.

With Ruben Lara aboard, Killin Me Smalls was under no real pressure while setting honest fractions of 24.29, 47.56, and 1:12.58 over a track rated sloppy. He was in front by a half-length after a mile in 1:38.08, held a three-length advantage heading into the stretch, and never looked threatened while cruising to an easy win.

Square Dancer does his best running late, but with no other speed showing up, Richard Hamel had him sitting just off Killin Me Smalls most of the way. Brass and Gold came from a stalking position to finish third.

“I know he was going in a good time, but he is a very strong horse,” said Lara of Killin Me Smalls. “I just tried to get him to relax, and he felt great the whole way.

Trained by Ernie Keller, Killin Me Smalls was coming off a similar performance going the same distance in the $75,000 Speed to Spare at Northlands Park.

The final time in the B.C. Premier's was 2:15.77.

Touching Promise paid $9 and locked up older and filly and mare honors in British Columbia with an easy win over Locket in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina. It was her second straight win in the Ballerina and third stakes win in a row at the meet.

Amadeo Perez put Touching Promise on the lead heading into the first turn and she appeared to be in hand while posting fractions of 23.26 and 47.62 seconds in the 1 1/8-mile race. She took a 1 1/2-length advantage over Lady Rosberg heading into the stretch, and drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths lengths over Locket, who rallied late. Lady Rosberg chased Touching Promise most of the way and tired to finish third.

Touching Promise's trainer, Barbara Heads, wasn’t surprised by the strong performance.

“I was worried she was a bit too sharp, but she had been training very well coming into the race,” said Heads. “She just loves the kind of track she ran over today.”

The final time was 1:49.78.

Earlier on Monday, Pedro Alvarado brought Crazy Prophet from a stalking position to upset Kristofferson in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds. He paid $43.10 for his three-quarter-length win in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Trained by Jim Brown, Crazy Prophet posted a final time of 1:45.58.

Snuggles paid $4.70 for her 2 1/2-length win over heavily favored C U At Eau Claire in the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies.

Trained by Dino Condilenios and ridden by Rico Walcott, Snuggles chased C U At Eau Claire the whole way before wearing her down late. She posted a final time of 1:46.51 for the 1 1/16 miles.

A total of $1,047,204 was wagered on the eight-race card. Helping boost the handle was a mandatory payout on the Sea to Sky Pick 6. There was a carryover of $100,315, and over $325,000 was added. The payoff for a 20 cent ticket was $10,774.18.