Rock Concert cuts back in distance for Friday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Rock Concert may have found a spot to get his second win in a $16,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that kicks off Friday’s seven-race card at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong dash for non-winners of three drew six horses, and although Rock Concert is running above his conditions, he is taking a drop in class.

Trained by John Snow, Rock Concert showed a lot of potential when he won his debut in a maiden special weight race by 9 1/4 lengths as a 2-year-old last year. He never progressed, though, and his best result since then was a third-place finish in a $25,000 optional-claiming race on July 16.

In his most recent race, he dueled through extremely fast fractions before capitulating in a 1 1/16-mile, open allowance race for 3-year-olds won by Dashing Don, who repeated in a $25,000 optional claimer last Sunday.

Rock Concert came back with a sharp half-mile move in 47.80 seconds and could be sitting on a big effort with the move back to a sprint. He drew post No. 3, and jockey Romario Saunders figures to put him into the race soon after the start.

Trainer Cindy Krasner has two solid chances with Ps Diamond Cutter and Flicker of Luck. Ps Diamond Cutter edged his stablemate by a half-length in a similar race July 24.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rock Concert, by Rosberg

Last 3 Beyers: 32-72-51

◗ He should appreciate the easier company while running in a conditioned-claiming race for the first time, and he certainly won’t mind the cutback in distance.

Ps Diamond Cutter, by Grindstone

Last 3 Beyers: 74-68-66

◗ Toss out his two route attempts, and the 4-year-old homebred has two wins and a runner-up finish from three starts sprinting this year.

◗ As evidenced by his rising Beyer Speed Figures, he is also trending in a positive direction.

Flicker of Luck, by Lucky Pulpit

Last 3 Beyers: 72-65-52

◗ He ran a much-improved race in his second start for Krasner, and he may have tipped his hand when he worked a sharp half-mile in 47.80 seconds on Aug. 7.

Merlot, by Rosberg

Last 3 Beyers: 58-60-72

◗ Trained by Nancy Betts, he shouldn’t mind the move back to a sprint after finishing third going around three turns in his last three starts.

◗ As a losing favorite in five of his last six starts, he looks a lot better underneath than on top.