Legacy Square easy victor in Jack Diamond Futurity

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Legacy Square was impressive in winning the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity at Hastings on Saturday.

Sent off as the heavy favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old colts and geldings bred or sired in British Columbia, he paid $3.40 for his dominating 7 3/4-length victory over his stablemate Bak to Liberty.

With Efrain Hernandez riding for trainer Edgar Mendoza, Legacy Square broke sharply from post 2 and held a narrow lead going into the first turn. He continued along the rail before Hernandez eased him outside of Road Closure, who posted a half-mile time of 45.78 seconds after he rushed up to take the lead coming out of the turn.

Legacy Square assumed command just past the quarter-pole and drew off to win decisively. Bak to Liberty went wide around the first turn, settled into a stalking position coming out of the turn, made a non-threatening move turning from home and was able to hold Time Ticker safe who rallied late.

The final time was a quick 1:16.76.

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"This horse can run," Hernandez said. "The last couple of races he broke a step slow and got into trouble. I wanted to put him on the lead today and it worked out well."

It was the third stakes win from four starts for the son of Lent who races for Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop. The $55,000 winner's share of the purse boosted Legacy Square's earnings to $107,826.

In a thriller, Air Force edged Above Average by the smallest of margins in the co-featured $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity. She paid $7.50 for her nose victory in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies bred or sired in British Columbia.

Air Force, breaking from post 2 with Antonio Reyes aboard, and Above Average, leaving from the rail with Amadeo Perez riding, hooked up right after leaving the starting gate, dueled through a half-mile in 46.29 seconds, and battled to the wire with Air Force getting her head down at the right time. Higher Image made a strong move while going wide around the stretch turn before rallying late to finish third, a half-length behind the top pair.

The final time was 1:19.27.

It was the first stakes win for trainer Keith Pedersen.

A daughter of Counterforce, Air Force races for Dennis Dale, Peter Morris Peter, and Ed Welsh.

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