Soaringforthesun shines bright in Lieutenant Governors' Handicap
Soaringforthesun made the most of a day on which runners with early speed were doing well at Hastings and took advantage of moderate early fractions to win a spirited battle in the Lieutenant Governors' Handicap.
The offspring of Sungold is a homebred owned by David and Sylvea Gregory and trained by Edgar Mendoza. Soaringforthesun was a length best in the end returning $20.90 to his scattered backers.
For most of the race there were four runners within two lengths of the lead before the winner snuck away from eventual runner-up Big Union while heavily favored Arollercoasterride finally extricated himself from traffic to be a clear third in the end.
Soaringforthesun earned the winner's share of $27,500, boosting his career earnings to upward of $143,000 while reversing the exacta finish in the recent George Royal, which went to Big Union.
After the race, and in reference to blinkers having been removed from Soaringforthesun for this start, co-owner Sylvea Gregory said: "He loves to watch what's going on, so I thought: 'let him see all the other horses and he'll know what to do' ".
Co-featured on Saturday's card was the $50,000 Monashee Handicap which was won by heavy favorite We B Three, who led comfortably throughout the 1 1/16-mile contest with the winning margin of 2 3/4 lengths over runner-up Run Lola Run. The early pace was not taxing and two key opponents were troubled on the first turn, which made the winner's task easier.
Bayakoa's Image, second betting choice in the field of six, clipped heels just into the first of three turns and bobbled sharply, with rider Silvino Morales fortunate to stay aboard. As Bayakoa's Image steadied, she caused Solarity to take up and lose valuable position. Each recovered somewhat to finish fourth and third respectively, though both lost their best chance with that incident.
We B Three ran her 2023 record to three wins from as many starts and the winner's share of the purse boosted her bankroll to $174,065.