Post a major hurdle for Tiger Heat

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Tiger Heat will have a lot to overcome in order to win the ninth race at Hastings Sunday. Nonetheless, he looks like the one to beat in the 6 1/2-furlong entry-level allowance, which has a $50,000 claiming option.

Trained by Terry Jordan, Tiger Heat finished third in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province Stakes on May 18 and he should appreciate the class relief. Tiger Heat, however, drew the outside post position in the 10-horse field and his jockey, Richard Hamel, could have a hard time working out the kind of trip it will take to win what appears to be a very competitive race.

Harlem is the new kid on the block. A Kentucky-bred gelding, Harlem has made all five of his starts in Southern California. Running out of the Carla Gaines barn, Harlem won a one-mile $75,000 maiden race at Santa Anita March 31. In his next outing Harlem tried turf for the first time and he finished sixth in a one-mile entry-level optional race at Hollywood Park on May 8.

His new trainer, Dino Condilenios, is hoping Harlem is good enough to be a contender in the $125,000 Alberta Derby at Stampede Park on June 14.

We brought him up here to run in the derby, said Condilenios. He just arrived so I might scratch him Sunday if he needs more time to settle in.

Arkhill won all three of his starts at Hastings as a 2-year-old last year. In his 3-year-old debut he finished second in a no-conditions allowance race at Stampede Park on April 12. The winner, Ballintoy, came back to win the $84,000 Presidents Handicap at Stampede on May 3.

Arkhill looked very sharp working five furlongs in 59.40 seconds last Sunday.