Mahaty Jo stretches out, drops in class

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Good luck trying to come up with the winner of the sixth race at Hastings on Tuesday. The $7,500 claiming race for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles drew nine horses and every horse entered appears to have a legitimate chance at winning. The seven-race card begins at 6:40 p.m. Pacific.

It is anyone’s guess which horse will be favored at post time. There is a good mix of horses moving up in class off wins – Sassy’s Treasure and Lady Sasha – and horses dropping down looking for their first win at the meet – Orchid’s Silver, Mahaty Jo, and Sargent Sally.

There is ample speed in the field - Sassy’s Treasure, Shelbyann, Foxy Like a Cat, and Katelliena – so it is hard to see anyone stealing the race. They can all stalk and it is also possible there will be a moderate pace.

The horse with the best Beyer Speed Figure at the distance is Mahaty Jo, who will be stretching out for the first time this year. Trained by Cindy Krasner, Mahaty Jo is dropping to a career low after finishing eighth in a quickly run sprint for $17,500 on Aug. 14.

Katelliena has won three of her last four starts for trainer Robbie Anderson and is coming off of a neck win over Shelbyann for this price July 31. She drew post position 9, however, and with her stalking style she could easily get hung out going around the first turn.

Land of Silver was favored in Katelliena’s latest win but got too far out of it and her late rally came up 2 3/4 lengths short.

Sassy’s Treasure has won 3 of 6 career starts and will get a serious class test.