Post switch goes in favor of 'Arizona'

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Local fans will need to find some stamina to be able to stay focused through 15 races at Hastings Saturday. The marathon card was scheduled because last Sunday's races were canceled because of heavy fog. Also, this is the final weekend of racing, so there are no other opportunities to make up the races that were lost.

To accommodate the added races the first post has been moved up to 11:30 a.m. Pacific.

The feature race, which is for 2-year-olds that have never won a stakes, was one of the races canceled and was redrawn. Because of the new post positions, the chances of Arizona Drifter have improved dramatically in the 6 1/2-furlong allowance race.

Arizona Drifter, who is trained by Lance Giesbrecht, is the only horse in the field with more than one win, and at this stage of his career it appears that he needs the lead. Last Sunday he was drawn outside other speed, but he drew the rail here, and in both of the races that he made it to the front early, he won. David Wilson will ride.

Mighty Cahill, who will likely be favored, moves outside, but that could work in his favor. Trained by Harold Barroby, Mighty Cahill looked very comfortable rating behind Regal Request while finishing second in the 1 1/16-mile Ascot Sophomore. He might have been forced to use his speed early when he drew the rail last weekend. With an outside draw, his jockey, Justin Stein, should be able to place him just off of what should be a battle for the lead.