Nursery rivals rematched

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Feu Express, second in the British Columbia Cup Nursery Stakes Aug. 1, figures to be a slight favorite over Regal Request, third in the Nursery, in the eighth race at Hastings Saturday. The $50,000 optional race at 6 1/2 furlongs drew six horses.

Feu Express and Regal Request were separated by a neck in the B.C. Cup Nursery. There are two schools of thought regarding their performances.

Trip handicappers will argue that Regal Request, who is trained by Allan Jack, ran the better race. He had to briefly check when horses to his inside were pinballing around just after the start of the race. He was also forced to go four wide around the first turn. Regal Request made a strong move between horses in the stretch, and with a better trip he might have won the race. He will be ridden by Jake Barton.

On the other hand, some handicappers will likely point out that Feu Express ran a very brave race. Trained by Terry Jordan, Feu Express battled with the eventual winner, Lukin Awesome, every step of the way despite setting very fast interior fractions. Chad Hoverson rides.

Feu Express will likely have to deal with One Special Browny early in Saturday's race. One Special Browny forced an honest pace and held on well to finish second in the Ladnesian Stakes July 10. In his latest start, he showed brief speed before fading badly in the Emerald Express at Emerald Downs July 30.