Smart Deal ready to close in Monday feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Smart Deal might be worth a shot in a third-level allowance race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles Monday at Hastings.

This is the first of two Monday cards that Hastings will run during the annual fair at the Pacific National Exhibition, where Hastings sits. The fair began Saturday and will run through Sept. 3. The fair is closed Mondays, and while racetrack patrons won’t be able to try the cricket caramel apples, they will receive free parking. Post time for the first of seven races is 6 p.m. Pacific.

Smart Deal, trained by Mel Snow, finished third when he stretched out to a middle distance for the first time in a first-level allowance race July 8. He broke a step slowly in the 1 1/16-mile race, and just when it seemed he was going to make a big impact, he had to steady at the quarter pole.

He came back with a decent effort when he finished third going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 optional-claiming race July 22, and the 74 Beyer Speed Figure is his career best.

With just six starts, his best races could be in front of him, and being by Skimming, who won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic twice, the longer he goes the better.

He will break from post 2 with Silvino Morales riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Smart Deal, by Skimming
Last 3 Beyers: 74-59-63

◗ Toss his debut going 3 1/2 furlongs last year and he’s been a factor in all of his races. He has tactical speed, and if Morales can get him into the mix early in a race that figures to have a moderate pace, he should be right there.

A. F. Indy, by Take Charge Indy
Last 3 Beyers: 69-65-59

◗ Trained by Nancy Betts, he forced the issue early and held on well to win the race in which Smart Deal had a troubled trip on July 8. In his next start, with the same conditions as Monday’s race, he couldn’t catch Mr. Finch, who posted a slow 25.06 seconds first quarter-mile time. It was another solid effort, though, as he was a clear runner-up over Ace of Diamonds, who is also entered Monday.

◗ He drew post 3 and it would not be a surprise to see Anthony Reyes be a bit more aggressive than he was last time.

Mr. Finch, by Mass Market
Last 3 Beyers: 72-47-52

◗ The Phil Hall-trained British Columbia-bred got away with theft when he cruised through shockingly slow fractions in his win over A.F. Indy in his last start. He will again be the one they have to run down.