Shacane takes the next step

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Shacane, who finished fourth in the Hastings Speed Handicap Aug. 21, figures to be favored over six others in the feature race at Hastings Sunday, a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race for 3-year-olds and up. Included in the field are last year's local sprint champ, Bold 'n Keen, and the speedy Celt, who is coming off of a win in a $35,000 optional race.

Shacane will be making just his second start since he won the 1 3/8-mile Premiers in 2002. Following his win in that Grade 3 race, he was sent to California, where he never started and bowed a tendon while in training. After what appears to be a successful stem-cell procedure, he resurfaced in the Hastings Speed Handicap and surpassed his connections' expectations.

"That was a very good race for him," said his trainer, Toni Cloutier. "We weren't sure how good he would run after all that time off. We're extremely pleased with not only how he ran but also how well he came back."

Cloutier said that if Shacane runs well Sunday he would likely make his next start in the Sir Winston Churchill on Sept. 25, with the Oct. 17 Premiers as the main goal. Frank Fuentes will ride Sunday.

Celt posted a very modest 77 Beyer Speed Figure for his win over the late-charging Prerequisite Aug. 14.

Silver Donn made a strong late move to finish second behind Five Point Star in the British Columbia Cup Sprint Aug. 2.