Late-running Sky Promise makes it three straight in B.C. Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Sky Promise closed with a rush to edge Weekend Wizard by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings on Saturday. He paid $4.70 as the favorite in the 12-horse field.

It appeared Weekend Wizard, who along with Canadian Game set moderate interior fractions of 23.64 and 48.98 seconds, was home and cooled out midstretch. He had opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, held a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole and didn’t appear to be slowing down in the stretch. However, he couldn’t hold off Sky Promise, who, with Rico Walcott riding, altered his course midstretch and made a determined move from inside of Weekend Wizard. Canadian Game held on to finish third.

The final time for 1 1/8 miles over a track rated fast was 1:51.71

Walcott collapsed when he brought Sky Promise back to the winner’s enclosure and wasn’t able to take part in the post-race celebration. According to his agent, Bob Fowlis, Walcott had stomach cramps and was feeling better in the jocks room following the races.

Sky Promise is trained by Robertino Diodoro, who claimed the Sky Mesa colt for $40,000 June 30 at Churchill Downs on behalf of Rick and Clayton Wiest, R 6 Stable, and Norman Trembley. In his two previous starts for his new connections, Sky Promise won the $75,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park.

“I didn’t think he had any chance at the top of the stretch,” said Diodoro. “It was a great ride by Rico, who must have been hurting during the race. What a wonderful group of owners. They are having so much fun and are willing to put up their money to get nice horses. They had a blast at the hotel last night, and I guarantee you they will be going wild in the casino tonight.”

Weekend Wizard is trained by Craig MacPherson, who found some solace when he won the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity in the next race with Dat Day. The homebred son of New Year’s Day owned by Canyon Farms paid $24.20. Arranger, who set the pace in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-old colts and geldings bred or sired in British Columbia, finished second.

Dat Day was ridden by Antonio Reyes and posted a final time of 1:19.35.

“It took some of the sting away, but the derby is the race everyone wants to win,” said MacPherson, whose Day Raider finished second to Sky Promise in the Canadian Derby. “I saw Sky Promise make a killer move in Northlands, too, and I’m getting tired of seeing it.”

The skies opened up and so did Here's Hannah ($3.80) when she broke like a rocket from the gate in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks. With Richard Hamel aboard, she posted honest interior fractions of 23.18 and 47.60 seconds on her way to a 1 1/2-length victory over Tiptoe in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. Raider had her four-race winning streak halted when she finished third.

The final time was 1:52.77.

“They pressured her a little early, but left her alone after that,” said Hamel. “I just chirped to her a few times, and like she always does, she rebroke at the quarter pole. “

The British Columbia-bred daughter of Numaany races for B C Stables and Paul Caravetta. She is trained by John Morrison.

“I was pretty confident going into the race,” said Morrison. “She was training well, eating everything, and I just left it in the rider’s hands.”

The $55,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Here’s Hannah’s lifetime earnings to $287,350. It was her sixth stakes win with her only loss in eight starts coming in the Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings in her second start this year.

Absolutely Stylish was absolutely fabulous winning the $50,000 S. W. Randall Plate by 6 1/2 lengths over Don’t Hold Me Back. Heavily favored Calgary Caper, a deep closer, never threatened while finishing fourth in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. Absolutely Stylish paid $8.40 and posted a final time of 1:50.89.

With Enrique Gonzalez aboard, the 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo set moderate fractions and was never threatened after he opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn. He is trained by Phil Hall and owned by Peter Redekop.

In a thriller, Reginella bobbed her head at the right time to win the $50,000 Delta Colleen by a nose over Notis the Jewell. Reginella, ridden by Rico Walcott, set the pace in the 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares and posted a final time of 1:52.64. She paid $8.90.

The 4-year-old daughter of Minister’s Wild Cat is trained by Blaine Wright and owned by Luigi Di Pietro.

Dancin Shoes was much the best in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old fillies. With Antonio Reyes aboard, she won the 6 1/2-furlong dash by 8 1/2 lengths over Notice, who set the pace.

Dancin Shoes paid $2.90 and posted a final time of 1:19.22.

The homebred daughter of Cross Traffic is owned by Mr. and Mrs. David Pihl, and trained by Barbara Heads.