Snuggles not tipping her hand ahead of Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dino Condilenios isn’t sure what to expect when Snuggles, the 2016 Horse of the Year in British Columbia, makes her first start as a 4-year-old in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun at Hastings on Saturday.

“When she was a 2-year-old, I thought she was the fourth-best filly in the barn,” he said. “She just isn’t very flashy in the mornings, and it has been the same this spring.”

Snuggles has been pretty flashy in the afternoons, however. In six starts last year, she won five stakes, including the Grade 3 Ballerina, where she was facing older fillies and mares for the first time. Her only loss in 2016 came in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks, where she may have moved too soon in the 1 1/8-mile race and had to settle for second behind Victress.

In 10 lifetime starts, all stakes, she hasn’t finished worse than second. Snuggles should be favored in the 6 1/2-furlong Sun, which drew seven horses.

Condilenios was looking at the Brighouse Belles for her first start of the year, but she had a bruised foot and missed the race.

“It wasn’t a big deal, and she didn’t miss a lot of training,” Condilenios said. “But we weren’t going to take any chances with her. I think she’s fit, but I can never tell with her.”

Snuggles drew post 2. Rico Walcott rides.

Condilenios also has Chianti in the race. She forced an honest pace and held on well to finish second behind Dear Lilly in the Brighouse Belles in her first start this year.

Expect Silvino Morales to gun her to the lead from post 3.

KEY CONTENDERS

Snuggles, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 76-73-72

◗ She is a better horse going longer, but she can sprint, and with Chianti in the field, she will have an honest pace to work with.

Dear Lilly, by Graeme Hall
Last 3 Beyers: 76-71-78

◗ With 13 wins from 24 starts, she is as honest as they come, and she got her first stakes win in the Brighouse Belles.

◗ Trained by Sandi Gann, she has good tactical speed and, similar to the Brighouse Belles, should get a nice trip stalking an honest and contested pace.

Touching Promise, by Touch Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 74-74-75

◗ The Ballerina winner in 2014 and 2015 just missed in this race last year and has been training forwardly for trainer Barbara Heads.

“I would like to have had one more work into her, but she is doing very well, and we need to get a race into her before we stretch her out,” Heads said.

C U At Eau Claire, by Haynesfield
Last 3 Beyers: 50-68-65

◗ According to trainer Greg Tracy, the multiple-sprint-stakes winner had an undetected virus when she finished last in the Brighouse Belles. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her rebound with a big effort with blinkers going on.