Liberation a toss-up

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - It's hard to predict which 3-year-old filly will be favored in the 1 1/16-mile Liberation Stakes Sunday at Hastings Park. Seven of the nine horses in the race are stretching out for the first time, and the two horses with the best form this year - Classic Action and Elana D'Amour - drew disadvantageous outside post positions.

Lady Vye should receive plenty of support at the windows. She made up 15 lengths to defeat $50,000 optional fillies in her only start this year, on May 12. While she hasn't won going this far, she did finish a close fourth to colts and geldings in the Ascot Graduation Breeders' Cup and a distant third to Shelby Madison in the Fantasy Stakes last year.

In the Fantasy, Shelby Madison, who is also entered Sunday, was allowed to set moderate fractions, and Lady Vye couldn't cut into her lead. There appears to be plenty of other speed in the Liberation, though. Rick Kamps trains and leading rider David Wilson rides.

Trainer David Forster has entered Open Letter and Classic Action. Classic Action is a half-sister to $435,000-earner Apieceoftheaction and You've Got Action, who won the Eagle Hardware and Garden Derby at Emerald Downs should appreciate the chance to stretch her legs.

She has closed with good speed in all of her sprints and her exercise rider, former jockey Dan Brock, was excited when he brought her off the track following her six-furlong work in 1:14.80 June 7.

"That was the best she's ever worked," he said. "She really flew the last quarter mile [24.40 seconds, according to the Hastings Park clocking crew.]" Anthony Stephens rides.

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