Rather Beautiful eyes fourth straight win in Strawberry Morn

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Rather Beautiful will be trying to win her fourth straight race in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn at Hastings on Monday. The 4-year-old filly was extremely impressive in winning the $50,000 Brighouse Belles in her first start at Hastings for trainer Dino Condilenios and figures to be a short price in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, which drew a field of six fillies and mares.

Rather Beautiful began her career with trainer Chad Brown in New York. In her first start, she finished fourth in a maiden special weight race going 1 1/16 miles on turf Nov. 23 at Aqueduct. She showed an affinity for wet tracks when she won a race washed off the turf at Gulfstream in her second start and repeated over a sloppy track in a first-level allowance at Laurel.

All three races were routes, so it was a bit surprising to see Rather Beautiful run such a strong race going 6 1/2 furlongs in the Brighouse Belles. Not only did she win going away, but she ran faster than stablemate Modern did in winning the George Royal for 3-year-olds and up in the next race. She also overcame a track that clearly was favoring speed.

Condilenios liked her going into the Brighouse Belles, and despite a small setback in her training, he is confident she will run another strong race Monday.

“The way she trained when she got here told me she could sprint,” said Condilenios. “She had a small foot bruise after the Brighouse Belles, but we got on top of it right away, and she’s training great now.”

Rather Beautiful couldn’t have looked any better when she breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds with exercise rider Christine Ammann aboard May 9.

Rather Beautiful will break from the rail with Rico Walcott retaining the mount.

Key contenders

Rather Beautiful (Last 3 Beyers: 83-65-72)

The lightly raced daughter of Grade 3 winner Virden blew most of these away in her first try sprinting and could improve in her second try in a two-turn sprint.

Hollywood Miss (Last 3 Beyers: 78-70-84)

Trained by Troy Taylor, she is the one they will have to catch and could be dangerous while running without blinkers for the first time.

Ole’s Miss (Last 3 Beyers: 64-70-78)

The British Columbia Oaks winner trained impressively all spring but didn’t run her usual race when she finished fourth in the Brighouse Belles.

“I don’t think she cared for the speed-favoring track,” said trainer Mark Cloutier. “Hopefully, she’ll run her race Monday.”