'Lethal' to say goodbye to rivals

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Lethal Grande looks like the one to beat in the feature race at Hastings Sunday, a 1 1/8-mile allowance race that goes as the 10th race. Not only is the race called the "Au Revoir" and is the last one on the card, it's the final race of the meet.

Because the Grey Cup, Canada's Super Bowl, is being played Sunday, the first race has been moved up to 11:30 am Pacific.

Trained by Daryl Snow, Lethal Grande won this race last year and he's coming off of a very good effort in a restricted allowance race where he led for all but the last couple of jumps. Lethal Grande likes to be in front, but he's capable of stalking. With other speed in the field, there's a good chance his rider, Dave Wilson, will let the race unfold in front of him.

Woody's Diamond is taking a substantial jump up in class, but he's coming off of a very impressive win going 1 3/4 miles and could make it interesting for a while, at least. A 6-year-old horse, Woody's Diamond likes to be in front, and he set very fast fractions in his last start while on his way to a 17-length in an $11,000 starter race Oct. 22. He's trained by Peter Stephen and will be ridden by Robert Skelly.

Steady Smiler has plenty of back class and he should appreciate what is likely going to be a quick pace.

Pamjet has won five races at the meet, and being a 3-year-old, he gets in light at 110 pounds. He figures to be part of the pace.