Perfect trip in offing for favorite

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trick of the North looks like a standout in the Jack Short Au Revoir, a 1 1/8-mile allowance race for 3-year-olds and up. The Au Revoir drew 10-horses and goes as the seventh race Sunday on the final card of the 2006 Hastings meet.

Trick of the North had a perfect trip when he beat Alabama Rain and Arthurlooksgood in a 1 1/16-mile restricted allowance race at Hastings Nov. 12. Ridden by Anderson Ward, Trick of the North saved ground early, and when a hole opened up along the rail going down the backstretch, he burst through and took control of the race to win by a widening 3 1/4 lengths. He drew the rail for Sunday's race, so a similar trip could be in the cards. With Maktub and Forceful Intention in the field, he should also have a fast and contested pace to close into.

Trick of the North is trained by Ron Jewell.

Trained by Barb Heads, the 3-year-old Brass Bard is an upset possibility. In his latest start Nov. 5, Brass Bard ran a huge race to upset Forceful Intention in an allowance race restricted to non-winners of a stakes this year. His final time for the 1 1/16 miles was a very good 1:43.73, and he appeared to have something left while being ridden out in the stretch. Leanne Painter rides Brass Bard.

He's Quite a Guy is the only horse in the field who has won a stakes race this year, but he likes to be in front and there is plenty of other speed in the field.