Quiet Cash has threat in stablemate

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Quiet Cash heads a solid field of older horses vying for the major share of $125,000 in the Grade 3 Lieutenant Governors at Hastings on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile feature drew 10 horses, including R. Associate who is returning to defend his title.

A 5-year-old son of Real Quiet, Quiet Cash will carry high weight of 122 pounds, and is certainly deserving of the assignment. As an older horse, Quiet Cash has won 6 of 8 starts at Hastings, and probably would have won the Lieutenant Governors last year if he hadn't broken poorly leaving the starting gate.

Trained by Terry Jordan, Quiet Cash has won both his starts this year, and he looked very sharp in his seven-furlong work in 1:26 on June 12. He will be ridden by Chad Hoverson.

The horse Jordan is afraid of is another horse he trains, True Metropolitan. Both horses are owned by Bob Cheema and will run coupled.

True Metropolitan won the Herald Gold Plate at Stampede Park on June 11.

"True Metropolitan is doing so well right now that we're thinking of scratching him so Quiet Cash can win," said Jordan in jest. "Seriously, he's coming into this perfectly, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he won."

True Metropolitan will be ridden by Mario Gutierrez.

Trained by Vince Gibson, R. Associate also comes into the race razor sharp. With Ben Russell aboard, R. Associate earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 96 when he came from slightly off the pace to upset the Emerald Downs Handicap here on June 18. Russell, who was the leading rider at Hastings in 1999, will be back aboard R. Associate.

Trainer John Snow likes the chances of both of the horses he has entered, Tobe Suave and Alexandersrun. Tobe Suave is coming off a second-place finish in the Cougar II Stakes at Hollywood Park April 26.

"He didn't ship all that well but he really bounced back quickly," said Snow. "He has good speed, and since we drew inside he'll be going right to the front."

Alexandersrun is a deep closer and he will certainly appreciate what could be a lively pace.

Jockey Pedro Alvarado will have a big say in how the race unfolds. He will ride Bull Ranch, and can either push Tobe Suave early or try and stalk. Bull Ranch led from start to finish to win the Premiers last year, but he has also won from slightly off the pace.

Spaghetti Mouse could be dangerous if he can settle early.