'Saratoga' entry, Born to Be Bad major players

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - It's tough to separate what appears to be a well-matched field of 2-year-old colts and geldings in the $50,000 New Westminster Stakes at Hastings Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong feature drew 10 horses, and not only is it difficult to predict the winner, it's hard to say who will be the favorite.

The entry of Thesaratogaexpress and Saratoga Lane, both owned by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, will be one of the choices. Thesaratogaexpress was very impressive when he won a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race in his debut Aug. 6. His trainer, Troy Taylor, brought him back to work five furlongs in company with Saratoga Lane Aug. 22, and they posted the best time of the day, 1:00.20. It appeared that Thesaratogaexpress was the better horse in the work.

Born to Be Bad, who is trained by Ed Thompson, scored an upset win in the B.C. Cup Nursery Aug. 7 but will have to overcome an outside post. In his start before the Nursery he finished eighth in the Ladnesian Stakes July 9.

Roque River finished a half-length behind Born to Be Bad in the Nursery and should get a good trip from his inside post.

Sin Toro, who finished second in the Ladnesian, was an easy 6 1/4-length winner of a maiden special weight race Aug. 7.

Trainer Sid Martin has shipped in from Assiniboia Downs with Nechako, who won a maiden special weight race in his debut and then finished a close second in the Winnipeg Futurity Aug. 7.

Frosty Finish tired after contesting the pace in the Nursery. He could move up substantially in his second start going around two turns.