No speed to challenge B.D. Victor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - B. D. Victor will be looking for his third straight win as he faces five other older horses in a $50,000 optional race at 1 1/16 miles Wednesday evening at Hastings Park.

The race couldn't shape up any better for B. D. Victor, who will be trying three turns for the first time this season. B. D. Victor won two races at 8 1/2 furlongs last year and in both cases he led from gate to wire. There doesn't appear to be a lot of speed to go with him and jockey Fernando Serna figures to have him in front while setting modest fractions.

B. D. Victor has squeaked out wins in both of his starts at 6 1/2 furlongs this year. He beat Shingen Storm by a neck in a $25,000 optional race April 29 and after getting squeezed out at the start, he rallied to nail Devilastro in the final strides of a $50,000 optional race May 13.

"He's turned into a nice little horse this year," said his trainer Michael Turner. "If he keeps improving we might tackle stakes horses in the future, but for now we just want to build up his confidence."

Turner was handed a 15-day suspension for giving Grooms Derby too much Lasix when she finished second in the Strawberry Morn Stakes on May 12 but he has appealed the ruling and will be allowed to train horses until the appeal is heard.

Receiver General made a late run to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind B. D. Victor on May 13. Receiver General has never won at the distance but he has been close while trying stakes horses and has the second best Beyer Figure at the distance.