Local champion Title Contender entered for a tag in sprint feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Title Contender is eligible to be claimed for the first time when he runs in a $35,000 optional-claiming race Sunday at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew five horses and kicks off the eight-race card at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

A 5-year-old gelding by Pulpit, Title Contender was purchased by owner Peter Redekop in the summer of 2013 with the goal of winning the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. The goal was accomplished, and Title Contender went on to win three stakes as a 4-year-old at Hastings last year. He was awarded the trophy as the 2014 champion older male (open division) and champion sprinter in British Columbia.

Trained by Anita Bolton, it looked like Title Contender was on his way to another successful meet when he finished second by a neck to Modern in his first start going 6 1/2 furlongs in the George Royal. He came back with another strong performance at the same distance in the John Longden 6000, finishing second by a half-length to Mr. Bowling.

In his most recent start, however, he forced a fast pace before fading when he stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the Sir Winston Churchill. It was his worst performance at Hastings, and then he was conspicuously absent in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor’s, which was won by Mr. Bowling in near track-record time last Wednesday.

Despite running for a tag for the first time, Title Contender is no cinch with multiple stakes winner Taylors Deal in the field. Title Contender’s tactical speed should give him a slight edge, however.

Title Contender drew post 5, and Marklee Buchanan figures to put him into the race right from the start.

:: Bet Hastings with DRF Bets. Get up to a $500 cash bonus! Find out more today.

KEY CONTENDERS

Title Contender (Last 3 Beyers: 68-85-77)

◗ He will appreciate the substantially easier company and could be tough to get past if he breaks on top.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past three years, Bolton has a 36 percent strike rate with horses running for a tag for the first time.

Taylors Deal (Last 3 Beyers: 79-84-83)

◗ Trained by Troy Taylor, he doesn’t make it to the races very often, but when he does, he usually fires. He just missed in his only start this year in a similar race May 3 and has worked well leading up to this race. Jockey David Lopez will need to put him into the race early if he’s going to catch Title Contender.