With prep behind her, Jakobs Rocket Girl ready for blast-off

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Craig MacPherson thought Jakobs Rocket Girl needed a race when she finished third in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles on April 25. If he’s right, the speedy Florida-bred will be tough to beat when she runs in an allowance race for nonwinners of three that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Hastings.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares drew seven horses, and it should be easy to spot Jakobs Rocket Girl, who will likely be the one they will be chasing.

Other than in her debut, which came at Northlands Park going 3 1/2 furlongs in 2016, Jakobs Rocket Girl has held the lead at the first call in all of her races. Prior to dueling early and tiring in the Brighouse Belles, she took them all the way in a $16,000 optional-claiming race with first-level allowance conditions at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Ralph Nicks on Dec. 23. She also won a Florida-bred maiden special weight for Nicks at Gulfstream in February of last year.

MacPherson is expecting to see her on or near the lead Saturday.

“She’s fast, and I expect her to be forwardly placed,” he said. “She needed a race when she ran in the Brighouse Belles and she should like the easier company in this spot.

Jakobs Rocket Girl will break from post 3, with Aaron Gryder retaining the mount.

Indie Rock, trained by John Snow, used her good speed when she romped in the slop in a $25,000 optional-claiming race April 29 and should move forward in her second start of the year.

Sail On By, also trained by MacPherson, can stalk the pace, and she might not have cared for the sloppy conditions when she ran sixth behind Indie Rock. It was her first start since she finished a distant third in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap on June 25 at Hastings.