'Monster' finds right spot

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trainer Cindy Krasner apparently didn't like the spot Mecke Monster was in on Saturday, a $35,000 optional race. Instead, she will run him in Sunday's $25,000 claiming race for older horses going 1 1/16 miles at Hastings, where he figures to be a short price.

Trainer Steve Bryant is making the same move with Colonial Secretary, who will be making his first start since being claimed by Kim Hart for $11,000 June 14.

Mecke Monster, who will be ridden by Sam Krasner, has started twice at Hastings since shipping up here from New Mexico with trainer Peter Stephen. He finished sixth in a $20,000 sprint May 18 and was claimed out of the race by Michael Jawl, who turned him over to Krasner. Mecke Monster resurfaced in a $25,000 route June 7, missing by a neck to Jazzy Yacht. If he repeats that race he will be very tough to beat Sunday, and the way the race sets up he should be prominent right from the start.

Trainer Harold Barroby has moved Dubious Command up a couple of notches off a second-place finish for $15,000 in the horse's most recent start June 1. Barroby appears to have found a good spot for the front-running Dubious Command.

Other than Mecke Monster, there doesn't appear to be a lot of early speed in the field. Dubious Command should have an easy time making the lead from the 1-hole, and if Mecke Monster doesn't keep him honest, he could be tough to catch with Pedro Alvarado in the irons.