The Odds R Good may be tough to catch

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Despite stepping up in class after getting beat in a $16,000 claimer last month, The Odds R Good could be tough to catch and beat in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings.

The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew six horses and goes as race 3 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Mel Snow, The Odds R Good dueled with It’s In Command through extremely fast interior fractions of 21.54 seconds and 44.63 before losing to Kermode by a half-length in the 6 1/2-furlong dash on July 8. Considering the wicked early fractions, The Odds R Good was very game in defeat.

In his previous race, he set reasonable fractions on his way to a 1 1/2-length victory over Kermode in a $16,000 claimer June 9.

There is other speed in the field, most notably Dashing Don, but The Odds R Good drew post 2. If he breaks alertly with Silvino Morales riding, he should be in front heading into the first turn and will not have to go as fast to get there as he did in his last start.

Dashing Don, trained by Nancy Betts, is coming off a front-running win going 1 1/16 miles in a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option July 27.

With a 2-6-2 record from 14 starts going 6 1/2 furlongs, he also is a capable sprinter.

KEY CONTENDERS

The Odds R Good, by Cause to Believe
Last 3 Beyers: 75-82-77

◗ The consistent 6-year-old British Columbia-bred ran not only through rapid fractions, he also was packing 124 pounds in his narrow loss in his last race. He will be carrying 10 pounds fewer Sunday, and if he is able to set a more reasonable pace, he could be tough to get past.

Dashing Don, by Popular
Last 3 Beyers: 74-3-72

◗ Not sure what happened when he was eased two back, but toss the race and he has a win and two runner-up finishes at the meet.

◗ He also is versatile, and with Amadeo Perez riding, he could get a nice trip stalking The Odds R Good and Omega Victory.

Corky’s Luck, by Kentucky Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 67-67-76

◗ The Cindy Krasner-trained Washington-bred had a rough trip in a $20,000 claiming race at Emerald Downs coming off a layoff Aug. 4. He owns the best Beyer Speed Figure at the distance and could be dangerous if the speed gets carried away up front.

Kermode, by Cause to Believe
Last 3 Beyers: 76-64-79

◗ Reclaimed by trainer Pat Jarvis, he has compiled a 3-3-1 record in his last eight starts and again figures to make his presence known from a stalking position.