Opportunistic scores as big favorite in Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial

Opportunistic established himself as the local favorite for the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 10 with his third straight stakes win in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial on Monday at Hastings. Sent off as the heavy favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, he paid $3.80.

With David Lopez riding, Opportunistic saved ground early while sitting midpack. Lopez angled him off the rail coming out of the second turn and moved him into serious contention at the quarter pole. He hooked up with Silvertown on the stretch turn and the pair battled the rest of the way, with Opportunistic drawing clear late to win by a half-length.

Silvertown sat just off Omega Victory who posted a moderate half-mile in 48.76 seconds and still held the lead after six furlongs in 1:13.49. Silvertown took over the lead briefly before being collared by Opportunistic on the stretch turn and was game in defeat. Stanz in Command rallied to finish third.

“I knew the pace was slow, so I had to put him a little closer today,” Lopez said. “He is a nice horse and he just keeps getting better.”

In his previous start, Opportunistic won the $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby on July 31.

Troy Taylor trains the son of Sky Mesa for Glen Todd and Mark Dedomenico.

The final time was 1:46.07.

Hong Kong Jockey Club: Victress gets maiden win

Victress went into the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies a maiden and came out a stakes winner. She paid $21.80 for her win in the 1 1/16-mile race that serves as the final local prep for the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 10.

Trained by Rob Gilker, Victress was making just her second start. In her debut, she rallied from last to finish second going 6 1/2 furlongs in a maiden special weight race open to colts and geldings on Aug. 5.

With Amadeo Perez aboard in the Hong Kong Jockey Club, she trailed the field early again. She was still last at the six-furlong mark, but she was starting to wind up and was full of run while going three wide around the stretch turn. She made the lead in midstretch before drawing off to win by three lengths over Princess O’Prado who rallied late. Heavily favored C U At Eau Claire tracked Omi early, took over the lead just past the quarter pole, but tired.

Victress posted a final time of 1:46.10.

A daughter of Include, Victress is owned by Gilker and his wife Vicky.