Power Corrupt, C U At Eau Claire stretch out in juvenile stakes
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Juveniles will get their first chance to stretch out to a middle distance in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds and the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies at Hastings on Monday. The 1 1/16-mile races are part of a stakes-rich card that includes the Grade 3 BC Premier’s and the Grade 3 Ballerina.
Power Corrupt looks like the one to beat in the Ascot. Trained by Mike Anderson, Power Corrupt dueled early and then easily held off Stanz in Command to win the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity on Sept. 20.
Anderson was pleased with Power Corrupt’s five-furlong move in 1:00.80 on Oct. 4.
“He just keeps getting better,” said Anderson. “I don’t think he’ll have any problem with the distance.”
Power Corrupt will break from post No. 5, with Jeff Burningham retaining the mount.
Kristofferson will use his good speed after breaking from the inside post with Rico Walcott riding. Trained by Tim Rycroft, Kristofferson is coming off a front-running win going 6 1/2 furlongs in the $50,000 Birdcatcher at Northlands Park on Sept. 20.
C U At Eau Claire and Snuggles, one-two in the last three stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hastings, are the obvious contenders in the Fantasy.
C U At Eau Claire set the pace and was all out to hold off Snuggles by a neck in the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity on Sept. 20. Trainer Greg Tracy was pleased that C U At Eau Claire will be breaking farther away from the rail in post No. 5, with Richard Hamel retaining the mount.
“She drew inside posts in her last two races, so we put her on the lead,” said Tracy. “She can rate, and Richard won’t have to worry about getting stuck inside this time.”
KEY CONTENDERS
ASCOT GRADUATION (Race 5)
Power Corrupt (Last 3 Beyers: 64-45-57)
◗ He is trending in the right direction and appears to be versatile, so he could get a nice trip stalking what should be an honest pace.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, trainer Anderson has an excellent 42 percent strike rate and a $3.50 ROI with horses going a mile or longer for the first time.
Stanz in Command (58-58-60)
◗ Trained by Charlene Miller, he won his first two starts in stakes before his late rally came up short when he was the runner-up to Power Corrupt in the Jack Diamond Futurity. A deep closer, the shape of this race could work in his favor.
FANTASY (Race 3)
C U At Eau Claire (Last 3 Beyers: 65-67-57)
◗ The versatile filly will either be the one they have to catch or will get a nice trip from a forward position.
Snuggles (Last 3 Beyers: 64-60-55)
◗ The Dino Condilenios-trained daughter of Rosberg has the pedigree to handle the trip and was getting to C U At Eau Claire late in the Sadie Diamond Futurity.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Condilenios has a 19 percent strike rate with horses stretching out to a middle distance for the first time.