Sprint may suit Sabado Alegre well

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Sabado Alegre will try to win for the first time in North America when he runs in a second-level allowance race that carries a $50,000 claiming option at Hastings on Sunday. The Chilean-bred 4-year-old was an impressive winner in his first two starts in his home country but has gone unplaced in four starts on this continent.

Sabado Alegre set an honest pace before fading while going 1 1/16 miles on turf in a second-level allowance at Gulfstream on March 16 and could be dangerous while cutting back to a sprint. He also appears to have the best speed in the 6 1/2-furlong dash that drew seven horses.

He will be making his first start for trainer Craig MacPherson, who likes the way Sabado Alegre worked a bullet four furlongs from the three-eighths pole in 46.80 seconds with Richard Hamel aboard Tuesday.

“He had some physical issues when he arrived here to possibly run in the B.C. Derby last year, but he is a good-looking horse and is doing very well now,” said MacPherson. “I wanted to work him last Sunday, but it was a tough track, so we waited. He did it pretty easily, and he galloped out very strong.”

Expect Hamel to put him into the race soon after he breaks from the outside post.

Brass and Gold was good enough to win the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic for trainer Barbara Heads last year and has been training forwardly leading up to his initial start of 2016.

Shooting Jacket, trained by Nancy Betts, wants more distance but rallied to finish third in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. on April 17 in his first start this year and should move forward with a race behind him.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sabado Alegre, by Any Given Saturday

Last 3 Beyers: 76-81-58

◗ He is a bit of a mystery, and it is anybody’s guess how he will handle a two-turn sprint. Nonetheless, he was very sharp in his work Tuesday, and with a couple of starts behind him, he should have a fitness edge over most of his rivals.

Brass and Gold, by Sungold

◗ The B.C Cup Classic winner inadvertently hooked up with another horse who was working Thursday and may have worked faster than Heads wanted. It was a sharp move, however, and may have set him up for a big effort coming off the bench.

Shooting Jacket, by Hard Spun

Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-87

◗ He will appreciate the class relief after a solid effort in the Swift Thoroughbreds but probably won’t appreciate the likely shape of the race.