Pioneer Pete tries to stay on a roll

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Pioneer Pete heads a solid field of older sprinters running in the feature race at Hastings Friday evening. The $20,000 claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs drew seven horses.

With 2 wins from his first 17 starts, Pioneer Pete was just another horse until June of 2004. Since then, the 6-year-old gelding has won 6 of 10 races.

He started out his 2005 campaign with a game win over next-out winner Point Five in a $15,000 sprint June 11. Pioneer Pete began his impressive run with a win over $5,000 conditioned claimers, and among his wins is one over $20,000 conditioned claimers.

Trained by Barbara Heads, Pioneer Pete has some speed and he'll need to use it in order to stay in touch with Golden Mark, who could be very tough to catch if he gets away on his own. David Wilson rides Pioneer Pete.

Century Star, who is trained by Daniel Leung, could be coming up to a big race. An 8-year-old gelding, Century Star is the top money earner in the race with $865,942, and he earned all of it while racing at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Century Star reportedly bled and was eased in his initial start at Hastings May 23, but he showed signs of life when he came back in a $35,000 optional sprint June 12 and he looked very sharp in a subsequent five-furlong work July 1. Anthony Stephen rides.

Cool Honor, Golden Mark, and Kompressor Jack all have decent speed, so it could set up for Fisherman's Friend, who is shortening up after two route attempts.