Spaghetti Mouse will try to scurry away

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Spaghetti Mouse goes for his third win in the $100,000 B.C. Cup Classic at Hastings on Monday. If he is successful - and he will be a short-priced favorite over Krazy Koffee in the six-horse field - he will tie Artic Son as the only horses in the 15-year history of the Classic to win three times.

The 1 1/8-mile Classic headlines the 10-race B.C. Cup Day card, which includes seven stakes races. Four of the stakes are restricted to B.C.-breds. The three races for older horses, the Sprint, Distaff, and Classic, were opened to Washington-breds this year. They make up the inaugural running of the Pacific Challenge, which was supposed to foster a competition between horses based at Emerald Downs and Hastings. But just one horse, Emancipated in the Classic, has made the trip from Emerald Downs.

Spaghetti Mouse, trained by Lenore Daponte, is looking to rebound following a fifth-place finish in the Lieutenant Governors July 1. Spaghetti Mouse chased a fast pace while going three wide in that race, and it wasn't surprising he faded when the real running started. In the Classic, the pace figures to be much slower, and Spaghetti Mouse should be able to either stalk speed that won't last or set a moderate pace himself.

"It all depends on if he'll relax or not," said Daponte. "If he does he should be in the race the whole way."

Daponte was pleased with Spaghetti Mouse's five-furlong bullet work in 58.40 seconds on July 19. Pedro Alvardo retains the mount.

Cindy Krasner, the trainer of Krazy Koffee, bemoaned the lack of pace in the race.

"It should be Spaghetti Mouse's race," said Krasner. She added of Krazy Koffee, "This is by far the best he has come up to a race this year but he needs a pace to run at, and I can't see that happening."

A 4-year-old gelding, Krazy Koffee was the horse of the year in British Columbia last year. He won four stakes, including the Grade 3 B.C. Derby. In his last start, Krazy Koffee made a late move to finish third in the Lieutenant Governors. He will be ridden by his usual rider, Dave Wilson.

Trick of the North is the only horse in the field coming into the race off a win. Trained by Barbara Heads, Trick of the North came from well off the pace to win a $50,000 optional race on July 4. In his last five starts, four at Golden Gate, Trick of the North has won three times and finished second twice. He is clearly the sharpest horse going into the race.

Ookashada and Till the Storm round out the field.

First post has been moved up to 1:15 p.m. Pacific.