Makors Mark sitting on big race

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Makors Mark returns to the Hastings Park for the first time since his victory in last year's B.C. Derby and if his win in the Budweiser Emerald Downs Handicap is any indication, he should be tough to deal with in Sunday's Lieutenant Governors.

"He ran game the whole way," said his trainer, David Forster. "He kept shaking horses off and then another one would attack him. He showed a lot of courage."

Makors Mark started the year off with a couple of disappointing mid-pack finishes in two sprint stakes at Emerald that might have had some observers wondering if he was going to make the transition from a top 3-year-old to an average older horse.

"It's funny," said Forster. "Last year a lot of people told me that he was just a sprinter and that he wouldn't route. This year they're telling me that he's a route horse. Actually, I didn't have him all fired up to start the year and I wasn't at all disappointed with his first two efforts. He can sprint if he has to, but there's a lot more money to be made going a distance of ground."

Makors Mark was out for his final prep Friday morning and worked a sharp half-mile in 47.60 seconds before galloping out the five furlongs in 1:02 flat.

Forster also reported that his 3-year-old filly, Castle Mountain, would run in the 6 1/2 furlong Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings Park next Saturday.

Haunting You will run despite minor ailment

Dino Condilenios has a couple of horses running for added-money Sunday. He entered Lord Nelson in the Lieutenant Governors and Haunting You in the fillies division of the $60,000 Sales Stakes.

"I was glad that Lord Nelson drew outside," said Condilenios. "He runs better outside of horses and with the long run to the first turn it's easier to get a good position going into the turn."

While Lord Nelson figures to be a bit of a long shot in the Governors, Haunting You could go off favored in the Sales Stakes. She was very impressive winning her only start and drew inside of the other logical contenders, Sassy Linda and Feu's Bebe. "She's a nice filly but she's been fighting a shin. Hopefully it won't bother her too much," Condilenios said. "I haven't been able to train her the way I would like but I still think that she'll run a good race."

Feu's Bebe also looked good winning her only race and she finished full of run when she worked five furlongs in 1:02 flat June 20. "I like her chances," said her trainer, Steve Bryant. "She's been training super and she should give a good account of herself."

Kat Dancer awaits Coleman Province

Undefeated 3-year-old Kat Dancer was scheduled to run in the Burnaby Stakes this weekend but his trainer, Rosann Anderson, decided to wait another couple of weeks before tackling stakes horses.

"He just isn't where I want him to be right now and his main goal is the Stallion Stakes on B.C. Cup Day [Aug. 5]," she said. "This way I'll run him in the Jim Coleman Province two weeks from now and then three weeks later in the Stallion Stakes. And if I'm lucky might be able to avoid Diglett for now."

* Another horse passing on the weekend's festivities is Ball and Chain, who would have been one of the favorites in the Lieutenant Governors. "I just wanted to give him a little rest," said his owner and trainer, Allan Jack. "He's a small horse and there are races in the fall that I would like to have him at his best for."

* For the first time in 37 years there won't be racing at Sunflower Downs in Princeton on Canada Day weekend. Officials there had to cancel the one-day meet due to a lack of horses.