Sir Gallant sharp for Hastings sprint

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Sir Gallant will try to get back to his winning ways when he runs in Friday's feature race Hastings. The $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses going 6 1/2 and will go as the third of 8 races carded.

Sir Gallant, trained by Jim Ellickson, is clearly the one to beat. He had reeled off four straight wins before finishing a close second behind Cardinal Zin in a $35,000 optional race May 21. Cardinal Zin came back to beat sprint stakes winner Woombroom Express in a $50,000 optional race June 5. Sir Gallant started his winning streak with a four-length romp over Nineleventurbo in a $12,500 claiming race last October. His latest win came in his first start this year when he beat Cardinal Zin by a neck in a $35,000 optional race.

Sir Gallant has excellent speed and drew the rail. There isn't much doubt leading rider Fernando Perez will be sending him right to the front.

Pop Artist looks like the main threat. Trained by Dino Condilenios, Pop Artist looked good winning a $25,000 claiming race going six furlongs April 25 in his first start off a long layoff. In his next start he came back with another solid effort, finishing third in the same race Sir Gallant exits. Pop Artist hasn't raced or worked since he ran on May 21, and he was a stewards' scratch on June 12. Nonetheless, he is as honest as they come, and from nine career starts he has compiled a record of 4-1-2 and has never finished worse than fourth.

Ishmael Mosqueira, who has been Pop Artist's rider since he arrived at Hastings last April, retains the mount.

I Wanna Go Fast will be making his first start since being claimed for $17,500 by trainer Toni Cloutier, who was acting on behalf of Carousel Farms and Sims Racing Stable Ltd. I Wanna Go Fast should appreciate the move back to a sprint following his fourth-place finish in his first try going around three turns. In his previous race he finished a neck behind Pop Artist in Cardinal Zin's win on May 21.

Slew's Boy won half of his eight starts last year and is looking to regain his form after a dull effort in his latest start. Trained by Robbie Anderson, he finished third behind Sir Gallant and Cardinal Zin in his first start of the year.

Alert and Wise and Raising Memo round out the field.