Koffee Grinder's head hits wire first in River Rock Casino

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Koffee Grinder got up in the last jump to edge Aspen Getaway by a head in the $50,000 River Rock Casino Handicap at Hastings on Saturday. He paid $4.90 as the slight favorite over Aspen Getaway, who set the pace and held on well to finish a clear second over Jordan’s Quest in the 6 ½-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Richard Hamel, Koffee Grinder was content to stalk Aspen Getaway, who was chased by Jordan’s Quest through moderate fractions of 22.68 and 46.69 seconds. He moved into contention while going three- wide around the stretch turn and finished full of run in the stretch to catch a very game Aspen Getaway.

“He was very relaxed and every time I asked him to move he responded,” said Hamel. “I really think he’ll be an even better horse when he stretches out.”

Koffee Grinder was coming off a maiden win in his first start this year. He ran twice at 2, finishing third and fourth in optional $30,000 maiden claiming races.

“He’s a big rangy colt and he really improved over the winter,” said his trainer, Craig MacPherson.

The final time was 1:16.94.

The co-featured $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap for 3-year-old fillies also had a thrilling stretch duel with jockey Amadeo Perez perfectly timing his move aboard Ole’s Miss to get the nod over Dawselina. She paid $7.90 as the second choice in the wagering behind Arabella’s Muse, who finished third in the five-horse field.

Perez let Ole’s Miss lag behind the field while Dawselina and Today Is the Day dueled through honest fractions of 22.01 and 45.33. Ole’s Miss started to make her presence known on the stretch turn and when a hole opened up heading into the stretch Perez urged her into contention turning for home. She wore down a very stubborn Dawselina to win by a nose.

She covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.30.

Trained by Tracy McCarthy, Ole’s Miss took firm control of the 3-year-old fillies division with her second straight stakes win at the meet.