Speed gives Hansen's Victory the edge

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Hansen’s Victory has the right running style to win a $50,000 claimer that headlines Friday’s seven-race card at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up goes as race 4. Post time for the first race is 7 p.m. Pacific.

Trained and owned by Glen Todd, Hansen’s Victory was in the mix early before capitulating in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap on July 14. His stablemate He’s the Reason led the whole 1 1/16-mile race. Hansen’s Victory was within a half-length of him at the six-furlong mark before tiring to finish fifth.

In his previous race, a $50,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 1, the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred sat just off a moderate pace set by Strate Remark before taking control at the top of the stretch. Coulterberry, closer to the pace than usual, made his typical strong move but couldn’t catch Hansen’s Victory, who won by a length.

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Friday’s race should unfold in a similar vein, and Hansen’s Victory may be the one they have to run down.

He will break from post 3 with his usual rider, Denny Velazquez, aboard.

Prior to his runner-up finish, Coulterberry had won his first two starts at the meet. It looked like he had bee stings all over his coat when he showed up in the paddock for his last race, but he still ran well.

“He had an allergic reaction to who knows what,” trainer Mark Cloutier said. “It has been hard to get rid of. He feels great, though.”

Five Star General ‘real deal’

Five Star General, owned and trained by Todd, will likely be favored in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial on Monday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds is one of six stakes featured on B.C. Cup Day.

The Derby Trial serves as the final local prep for the Grade 3, $250,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 7. The 1 1/8-mile British Columbia Derby is the most prestigious race in Western Canada.

If everything goes according to plan for Todd, Five Star General will be the second horse by that name to win the British Columbia Derby. The 1978 B.C. Derby was won by the Don Morison-trained Five Star General, who was a son of Lt. Stevens. Todd’s Five Star General is by Distorted Humor.

Five Star General won the $101,000 Central Park Stakes on Nov. 22 at Aqueduct. In his last start, he was moved from third to second after a stewards’ inquiry in the $50,000 Stanton Stakes on June 12 at Delaware Park. The 1 1/16-mile race was contested over turf.

“He seems like the real deal,” Todd said.

The local clockers were impressed with his five-furlong work in 59.60 seconds on Saturday.