Modern holds off Venetian Mask in Lieutenant Governors’

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Modern paid $6.10 for his front-running win over Venetian Mask in the $75,000 Lieutenant Governors’ at Hastings on Saturday.

After he posted a 24.07-second first quarter it was obvious he was going to win the 1 1/16-miles race for 3-year-olds and up.

With Richard Hamel aboard, Modern broke sharply while Crackdown, who was expected to duel with Modern early, broke a step slow. Hamel had Modern well in hand while under mild pressure from Don’t Hold Me Back through a half-mile in 47.61 seconds. He opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, held a two-length advantage over Venetian Mask at the top of the stretch, and never looked like losing while posting a final winning margin of 1 1/4 lengths.

Venetian Mask came from a stalking position to finish 3 1/4 lengths in front of Calgary Caper. Calgary Caper was last early, finished full of run but was left with too much to do.

The final time was 1:43.22.

In his last start Modern broke behind the field and, after rushing up to take the lead in the $50,000 John Longden 6000, he couldn’t hold off Venetian Mask in the stretch.

“He broke great today,” Hamel said. “I felt pretty good about things when I looked over and saw a 24 first quarter. When I asked him to respond he gave me a good finish like he has plenty of times before.”

It was the eighth stakes win for the Kentucky-bred son of Tiznow who is trained by Dino Condilenios and owned by Swift Thoroughbreds Inc.

The $41,250 Modern earned brought his lifetime earnings to $370,972.