Modern solidifies status as top sprinter on grounds by winning George Royal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Modern paid $3.80 for his front-running win over Hollywood Angel in the $50,000 George Royal at Hastings on Saturday.

With Richard Hamel aboard, Modern broke alertly from his inside post and was never really pressured while carving interior fractions of 22.65 and 45.65 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up.

The final margin over Hollywood Angel, who chased Modern the whole way, was 1 1/2 lengths. Clear the Runway rallied to finish a head behind Hollywood Angel.

Modern is trained by Dino Condilenios and owned by Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. He was voted the champion sprinter in British Columbia last year and with wins in the first two sprint stakes at Hastings this year he has probably wrapped up the title again.

The final time over a fast track was 1:16.66.

Earlier on the card, Arabella’s Muse edged Avadiva by a nose in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun. She was also ridden by Hamel and paid $3.80 as the solid favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

After sitting just off Avadiva for the first quarter-mile, Arabella’s Muse started to force the issue at the three-eighths pole. They were on even terms after a half-mile in :45.87 seconds, and stayed lapped onto each other the rest of the way. Touching Promise never looked like catching the top two while finishing a half-length back in third.

The final time was 1:17.10.

Arabella’s Muse is trained by Mike Anderson. His brother Robbie Anderson trains Avadiva ,and their sister, Barbara Heads, is the trainer of Touching Promise.