VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Royal Briar will try to win on dirt for the first time when he runs in a $16,000 conditional-claiming race at Hastings on Saturday. If he runs as well as he did in a similar race June 25, he’s probably the winner of the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that drew six horses. A winner of back-to-back races on grass at Turf Paradise this spring, Royal Briar would be hard to single in the Sea to Sky Pick 6 that has a $45,027 carryover, however. Trained by Cindy Krasner, Royal Briar was coming off a layoff of more than two months in his last start, and he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 73. Horses sometimes bounce following a big race coming off a layoff, and Royal Briar fits the bill. He came back with an easy half-mile move in 49.40 seconds last Sunday, though, so it is possible that he will take a big step forward.Another strike against him is that he does his best running late, and the pace figures to be moderate at best. He drew post No. 2, and if Denis Arujo can get him involved earlier than usual, he should be right there at the finish. Southern Casanova could be the one they have to run down if he breaks alertly with Skyler White Shield aboard. Trained by Patty Leaney, Southern Casanova is coming off a third-place finish at this level going 6 1/2 furlongs July 3. In his only try going around three turns, he finished second in a $12,500 maiden-claiming race in his third start last year. He has good tactical speed, and if he doesn’t break on top, he should get a nice trip stalking the 3-year-old Fear of the Cat, who has to be considered suspect at the distance. KEY CONTENDERSRoyal Briar, by FinalityLast 3 Beyers: 73-65-72◗ He rallied strongly into a slow pace in his runner-up finish last out, and as evidenced by his back-to-back wins at Turf Paradise, he is capable of stringing solid races together. Southern Casanova, by RosbergLast 3 Beyers: 66-65-64◗ He is coming off a decent race sprinting, his only try at the distance was solid, and he should get a nice trip from a forward position. Merlot, by RosbergLast 3 Beyers: 72-60-68◗ Trained by Nancy Betts, he has been right there in all of his races this year but has lost as the favorite in his last four starts. He won’t be favored here, but he finished just a length behind Royal Briar in his latest, and with better tactical speed, he could have a slight edge if the track is favoring speed.