'Langara' has much in her favor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Langara Lass looks like a standout in the $40,000 Lassie Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hastings Saturday. Not only is she the lone stakes winner in the race, but the 6 1/2-furlong sprint should set up perfectly for her.

Langara Lass made a strong late run in the stretch to win the 6 1/2-furlong Timber Music Stakes July 9, and with four speed horses lined up against her, she figures to be tough to handle if she makes a similar move in the Lassie.

Trained by David Forster, Langara Lass debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight race June 24, when she ran evenly while finishing fourth. Forster doesn't usually crank them up for their first start, so it was no big surprise that Langara Lass took a big step forward in the Lassie, her second start.

Langara Lass hasn't shown any early lick in either of her races, but she was very sharp in her final five-furlong prep Aug. 20. That could lead one to believe she'll be more aggressive early in the Lassie, but Forster said he hopes that's not the case. "I liked the way she ran in the Timber Music," Forster said, "so we're not going to change tactics here."

Chad Hoverson rides.

Docalady, who is trained by Michael Turner, looks like the main threat. Docalady was the odds-on favorite in the Timber Music, but she tired to finish fourth. It was her first start since winning an $80,000 maiden race at Churchill Downs June 8, so perhaps the long ship had something to do with her performance.