Ole's Miss will ship to Emerald for Kent

British Columbia Cup Day, one of the premier events at Hastings, is just around the corner Aug. 4. There are six stakes restricted to B.C.-breds scheduled, and traditionally the program has drawn the largest crowd of the year.

But because it is right in the middle of the meet, it presents a problem for non-B.C.-bred stakes horses. In the past, it was tough to fill an open allowance race, and the connections of those horses would either give them a break or take them to Northlands Park or Emerald Downs. This year, a series of $32,000 stakes have been scheduled to fill the void, but it will be touch-and-go to fill most of them.

Ole’s Miss is the first one heading out of town. Trainer Tracy McCarthy is sending the talented 3-year-old filly to Emerald to run in the $50,000 Kent Handicap on July 19. Ole’s Miss won the first two sprint stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings this year and then got stuck behind a slow pace when she finished second as the favorite going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Supernaturel on July 1.

“She ran a great race but was just a victim of circumstances,” said McCarthy. “They were walking up front, and she was stuck behind a wall of horses. I don’t think any horse could have overcome what she had to.”

McCarthy said Emerald’s leading jockey, Lesley Mawing, will ride Ole’s Miss in the 1 1/16-mile Kent.

“She’s a really nice horse, so I wasn’t too worried about who was going to ride her,” she said. “But, obviously, we’re thrilled to get him.”

Ole’s Miss is scheduled to leave for Emerald next Thursday morning.

“She’ll get a chance to train over the track and also spend some time in the paddock,” said McCarthy. “Nothing seems to bother her, and it’s just a two-hour ship. I would rather go there than take the long trip to Northlands.”

Plans for Miss Derek unclear

Trainer Craig MacPherson isn’t sure what to do with Miss Derek, who is coming off a dull effort in the $50,000 Monashee for fillies and mares July 1. The 4-year-old Miss Derek couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Vancouver Sun Handicap in her previous race.

The next stakes at Emerald for fillies and mares isn’t until Aug. 24. MacPherson nominated her to the $50,000 Madamoiselle at Northlands on July 18 but isn’t sure if he wants to make the long trip over the Rocky Mountains. He might keep her at Hastings and hope that the $32,000 Sam Krasner fills Aug. 3.

If Miss Derek does go to Northlands, she is going to have her hands full with Saturday Nite Ride, who hasn’t lost there in two years.

“It’s a tough call,” said MacPherson. “I’m not sure how she would handle the ship, but the race at Northlands is certainly on our radar screen.”

MacPherson said it’s likely that Far Niente will make the trip to Northlands to run in the $50,000 Northlands Oaks the same day.

“I’m pretty sure the 3-year-old filly division there is a little weaker than it is here, so it might be a good place to get her some black type,” said MacPherson.

Via Bendita, who could have been claimed for $8,000 at Golden Gate Fields in March, won the last stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Northlands with a 64 Beyer Speed Figure. Arabella’s Muse received an 82 for her one-length win over Ole’s Miss in the Supernaturel.

Far Niente is coming off a win in a first-level allowance going 1 1/16 miles June 14. She was nominated but didn’t run in the Supernaturel.

“It was back a bit too quickly for her,” he said. “She’s ready to run now, so there’s a good chance we’ll be in Edmonton soon.”