'King' puts win streak on the line

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Seasonal King looks like he will be tough to catch in the seventh race at Hastings Friday, a 6 1/2-furlong claiming race for older horses running for a top claiming price of $11,000.

Seasonal King is shooting for his fourth straight win and is coming off of an impressive win in an $11,000 claiming race July 15. Leading every step of the way, Seasonal King set extremely fast fractions of 21.86 and 44.88 and was still able to hold off a late charge by Red Jock Jewel.

Seasonal King should be the favorite on Friday. Trained by Peter Gregory, Seasonal King has won five of six starts at the distance and he has been perfect at Hastings, winning all three of his races here. Apprentice jockey Mark Stephen will ride Seasonal King.

There is other speed in the field, so the race could set up nicely for Red Rock Jewel. Red Rock Jewel, who is trained by Mel Snow, came from 11 lengths behind to finish second by less than a length to Seasonal King. He could move up as a second-time Lasix user, but it's also possible that he will bounce after posting a career best Beyer Speed Figure. Anderson Ward will ride.

Diamond Terner has tactical speed and should get a good trip from just off the pace. He hasn't won this year but he ran well to finish fourth in a $20,000 claiming race July 16, and in his previous start he finished second by a neck in a $15,000 sprint July 2.