Richter Red will get to front in claiming sprint

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A combination of a horse shortage and an extremely wet winter in Vancouver contributed to the cancellation of Saturday’s card at Hastings. Instead, there are 10 races Sunday, and one of the most likely winners, Richter Red, will make his seasonal debut in the last race.

The $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs drew six horses, and it looks like Richter Red should be able to control the race from the start.

Trained by Anita Bolton, Richter Red won two of his last three starts in 2015, and he had nothing to be ashamed about in his only loss in the streak. That was a second-place finish to Grade 3 Longacres Mile winner Herbie D. in an optional $35,000 claiming race.

Prior to his runner-up finish, he won a $16,000 claiming race for non-winners of three. He closed out his 4-year-old campaign with a narrow win over Grade 3 British Columbia Derby winner Title Contender in a $25,000 claiming race on Sept. 13.

Richter Red is versatile, but given the shape of the race, jockey Pedro Alvarado likely will put him on the lead soon after he breaks from the outside post. The only other horse with any kind of early speed is Mighty Fraser.

Mighty Fraser won a couple of sprints for trainer Mike Anderson prior to being claimed for $25,000 on July 25 by Troy Taylor, who was acting on behalf of Glen Todd. In his first start for his new connections, Mighty Fraser won going 1 1/16 miles in the $60,000 CTHS Sales Stakes on Sept. 15.

After going unplaced in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby, Mighty Fraser closed out the season with a runner-up finish in a $25,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds on Oct. 4.

KEY CONTENDERS

Richter Red, by Yoonevano

Last 3 Beyers: 84-79-82

◗ He has been working steadily for his return and should be gone if he breaks alertly from his outside post.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Since 2013, Bolton has a 33 percent strike rate with horses coming off a layoff of 180 days or more.

Mighty Fraser, by Second in Command

Last 3 Beyers: 73-69-70

◗ He does have some tactical speed and has won three sprints in his 13-race career. This will be the first time he has run with older horses, however, and he will need to improve his Beyer Speed Figures to threaten Richter Red.

Senor Rojo, by Out of Place

◗ Trained by Dave Forster, the Grade 3 winner has looked great on the track this spring. However, the Grade 3 winner really wants more distance.