Payton's Pride loves the chase

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Payton's Pride does her best running late and should have plenty of speed to chase in the Hastings feature Saturday, a 1 1/16-mile allowance race for 3-year-old fillies that haven't won a stakes worth $20,000 or more in 2003.

In her most recent race, Payton's Pride, who races for Roy E. McLellan, came from far back to beat next-out winner Vying Princess by a nose in a $35,000 optional sprint for older fillies and mares. Payton's Pride is winless going around three turns, but finished third in the nine-furlong British Columbia Breeders' Cup Oaks and second in the 1 1/16-mile Nanaimo Stakes. In both races, she finished behind Sovereign Award candidate Dancewithavixen.

Payton's Pride's trainer, Harold Barroby, has also entered Vegas Folly, who finished a head behind Payton's Pride in the aforementioned optional sprint. Vegas Folly has the best Beyer Figure of the field at the distance, 80, and could pull an upset.

Anabatic and Hold on Sugar appear to need the lead. Anabatic has finished second in her last two route attempts and Hold on Sugar, who leaves from the rail, went unplaced in her only try going around three turns.

A Regal Reflection has won her last three starts, all at 1 1/16 miles. She began the streak with a nose decision over $5,000 nonwinners of two. In that race, Regal Reflection dwelt in the starting gate and had to make up a lot of ground. In her next race she rallied for a 3 1/2-length win for $8,000. She was also a five-length winner for $15,000 in her most recent start, Oct. 12.