Sir Gallant risks streak at Hastings

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Sir Gallant will try and make it five wins in a row when he faces a solid group of sprinters in a first-level allowance race that also carries a $35,000 claiming option at Hastings Friday. The only horse not entered for a price in the 6 1/2-furlong feature is Cardinal Zin.

Sir Gallant has turned out to be an excellent claim by trainer Jim Ellickson. Acting on behalf of his father-in-law, Ken Walters, Ellickson haltered Sir Gallant for $12,500 last June. Sir Gallant won right back for $17,500 and after a couple of even races - fourth in a $25,000 optional race July 12, and third for $15,000 Sept. 11- he started his current winning streak in a $12,500 claiming race on Oct. 4.

All of his wins in the streak have come sprinting and each time he has set the pace. In his initial start this year he battled the whole six furlongs with Cardinal Zin and prevailed by a neck in a race with the same conditions as Friday's race. Sir Gallant should have the edge again. He moves closer to the rail, post 4, while Cardinal Zin will have his work cut out breaking from the outside gate in the field of nine.

Fernado Perez retains the mount.

Pop Artist comes off of a sharp win in a $25,000 claiming race on April 25 and shouldn't be out of his element with the jump in class. Trained by Dino Condilenios, Pop Artist won his first two starts at Hastings last year and then finished a troubled second in the $50,000 Western Canada Handicap at Northlands Park on July 1. A 4-year-old gelding by Songandaprayer, Pop Artist has tactical speed, and if a duel develops between Sir Galland and Cardinal Zin, he could be the one to benefit the most.

I Wanna Go Fast, trained by Rod Cone, is certainly playable at what could be a decent price. He finished fifth to Sir Gallant in his first start here but he stumbled a bit leaving the gate and had to make up a lot of ground. I Wanna Go Fast posted a 92 Beyer Speed Figure in his win in a $16,000 claiming race at Golden Gate in his previous start April 2 and a similar effort would put him squarely in the picture.