Shingen Storm eyes 6th straight

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Shingen Storm will have plenty of speed to chase as he goes for his sixth straight win in the seventh race at Hastings Park, a $50,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. Seven older sprinters have been entered, but it looks like a battle between Shingen Storm, who will be coming late, and Danzilation, who should have the early lead.

Danzilation isn't the only horse in the race with speed, so it could set up for Shingen Storm. A 5-year-old horse, Shingen Storm started his win streak May 1 when he came from far back to win a $25,000 claiming race at six furlongs. It wasn't surprising that the mutuel price was over $60, because Shingen Storm had been winless in 2001. He finished second five times out of 12 starts that year, but he seemed to lack the finishing punch to get across the wire first. That's all changed this year.

He's reeled off five wins in a row and has shown great determination in each, with his largest winning margin 2 1/4 lengths. In his most recent start, Shingen Storm came from last to beat a stubborn Kat Dancer by a head in a $50,000 optional race July 6.

Shingen Storm is trained by Allan Jack and will be ridden by Felipe Valdez, who has been aboard for all of his races this year.

Danzilation drops to run for $50,000 Saturday. He set wicked fractions before tiring to finish fifth in the nine-furlong Lieutenant Governors Handicap July 1 in his last start. The last time he sprinted at Hastings Park he came very close to beating Lord Nelson in the George Royal Stakes April 28, but he hasn't hit the board in three subsequent starts.

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