'Mandi' beneficiary of hot pace

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Mandi Tambi should appreciate what is likely to be a hotly contested battle for the lead in the feature race at Hastings Sunday.

The $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies drew seven horses, including the very fast Filly's Gone Wild, who has won all three of her races at Hastings. There is plenty of other speed in the 6 1/2-furlong race, though, and Mandi Tambi figures to be the main beneficiary if there's a meltdown up front.

Mandi Tambi is trained by Jim Brown, and she is easily the top money earner in the race with over $77,000. She won for this price and at this distance when she made her first start of the season May 8, and since then she's been facing much tougher. Although she hasn't won since being elevated in class, she did finish second to La Pistola in a $50,000 optional sprint May 21 and she also ran well to finish second to Sugar Pine in a $50,000 optional route June 4. Mandi Tambi trailed the whole way in her latest race, but she was dropping back to a sprint and might have been a bit dull coming off of two route races. Robert Skelly rides.

Filly's Gone Wild has led every step of the way in her three wins at Hastings, and this will surely be her sternest test. She drew post 6, and drawn inside of her are confirmed front-runners Sarah Haras, Sheila's Secret, and Dressed as a Star.