Krazy Koffee tops field of toughies

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- After struggling to put together quality cards four days in a row last weekend, Hastings seems to be back on track with a strong card featuring a couple of solid races Sunday.

Graded stakes winners Krazy Koffee, Spaghetti Mouse and Trick of the North are the stars of the sixth race, a 1 1/16-mile classified allowance race for 3-year-olds and up that drew seven horses.

Wind Storm heads a strong field of eight sprinters running in a 6 1/2-furlong classified allowance race for fillies and mares with the same conditions in the fifth race. Both races also carry a $50,000 claiming option.

Krazy Koffee figures to improve off of his initial start this year, a fifth-place finish in a 6 1/2-furlong $50,000 optional race May 15. Krazy Koffee is a much better horse at a middle distance, and his trainer, Cindy Krasner, is pleased with the way he is coming up to Sunday's race.

"I was happy with his first start," she said. "He doesn't want any part of a sprint, and despite a rough trip he made a nice late move. We just look at one race at a time, but certainly our main goal for him is the B.C. Cup Classic."

Krazy Koffee won the B.C. Cup Classic last year with Dave Wilson aboard. Wilson rides Krazy Koffee Sunday.

Trick of the North will be making his first start since he won the Grade 3 Premiers on Oct. 18 last year. A 9-year-old gelding trained by Barbara Heads, Trick of the North had the best year of his career with six wins in 2009. At Hastings he won four times, and his only loss was a third-place finish in the B.C. Cup Classic.

Spaghetti Mouse will appreciate the move to a middle distance after two sprints to start his 2010 campaign.

* Wind Storm should have an honest pace to work with in the fifth race. Trained by Dave Forster, Wind Storm made a strong move to reach contention at the top of the stretch in the Brighouse Belles, only to see Concert Music pull away from her. Wind Storm held on to finish a clear third, the second straight time she finished third behind the undefeated Concert Music.

Smokin Danielle looks like the main threat off of her sharp win in a similar race May 16 for trainer Toni Cloutier.