Modern could point to Longacres Mile
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dino Condilenios was impressed enough with Modern’s gutsy win in the $50,000 George Royal on April 26 to consider pointing him to the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 16 at Emerald Downs.
Modern, ridden by Richard Hamel, was very game in winning the George Royal. He dueled with Herbie D through wicked fractions of 21.91 and 44.18 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong race. He put away Herbie D on the stretch turn and then was immediately collared by Title Contender. It looked like the quick fractions were going to do him in, but after getting headed between calls, he fought back and held off Title Contender to win by a neck.
“I couldn’t have been more proud of him,” said Condilenios. “You just don’t see horses go 44 seconds flat while being hooked every step of the way and keep going like he did.”
The George Royal was Modern’s first win in an unrestricted stakes. He was coming off a front-running win in the $32,000 Harbour View on Oct. 19.
“He’s always had a lot of ability, but he’s been kind of a nervous horse,” said Condilenios. “He seems to have grown up as a 5-year-old, and he really likes being a racehorse now.”
Modern was given a 78 Beyer Speed Figure for his win. Rather Beautiful, also trained by Condilenios, earned an 83 for her two-length score in the Brighouse Belles earlier on the eight-race card.
Her win may have been more impressive than Modern’s in that she was the only winner Sunday who wasn’t involved right from the start. In fact, other than Mighty Fraser, who was second by a head at the half-mile call in the fourth race, all the races were won by horses who made the lead coming out of the gate.
Also, Rather Beautiful, who was previously trained by Chad Brown, had never sprinted in her prior three races. How tough is she going to be when she stretches out to a middle distance?
“The way she trained, I thought she could sprint,” said Condilenios. “She really grabs the bit in the mornings, so I wasn’t concerned about the distance.”
Condilenios said both horses came out of their races in excellent shape. Modern likely will make his next start in the $50,000 John Longden on May 18. Rather Beautiful is being pointed to the $50,000 Strawberry Morn the same day.