My Master has clear class edge

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - If My Master comes anywhere close to running the way he did when he last raced, in December 2004, he will be very tough to beat in Sunday's feature race at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong optional $35,000 claiming sprint drew eight horses and goes as the seventh race.

My Master, trained by Steve Henson, is taking a substantial class drop for his return. In his last start he finished third in the Grade 3 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park. The winner, Taste of Paradise, won the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park last fall, and followed that up with a second-place finish to Silver Train in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

My Master posted triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in two of his last three starts, and while it's not likely he will put up similar

numbers here, he will not need to in order to win. Bred in Argentina, My Master has been working steadily this spring.

Frank Fuentes rides My Master.

Trainer Harold Barroby has entered Above the Clouds and Lend Me an Ear. Barroby is off to a good start at the meet, having won two races.

Above the Clouds figures to be on or near the lead, and Lend Me an Ear will likely come from slightly off of the pace. Lend Me an Ear won five straight races last fall, and closed out his 2005 season with two second-place finishes in cheaper optional claiming races.

Above the Clouds won back-to-back $20,000 optional sprints in his final two starts of 2005.