Square Dancer gets class relief as he seeks to end skid

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Square Dancer, the 2015 local Horse of the Year, will try to get back on track in a $25,000 claiming race that closes the eight-race card at Hastings on Saturday.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew eight.

Square Dancer’s backers will hope that the drop in class will help him get back into the winner’s circle for the first time since he won the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate on Sept. 13, 2015. He was the first horse to race for the Hastings Racing Club, which was formed in 2015. Mostly due to his success, a second club was formed last year.

Square Dancer was coming off a third-place finish in a $25,000, open claimer at Emerald Downs prior to his first start at Hastings in 2015 for trainer Steve Henson. Considering that he was moving up in class in the $50,000 optional-claiming race and that he hadn’t won his previous race, he figured to be a big price.

However, the 200 members of the Hastings Racing Club probably had a lot to do with him going off at odds of 7-2, and with Richard Hamel aboard, he rallied to win the 1 1/16-mile race by two lengths. He proved it was no fluke in his next race when Scott Williams brought him from well back to edge Modern by a nose in the $100,000 Redekop Classic.

Following his win in the Randall Plate, Square Dancer closed out his season with a runner-up finish behind Killin Me Smalls in the Grade 3 Premiers. The 7-year-old Florida-bred’s best finish last year was a second in the $75,000 Pacific Customs Brokers Classic. He hasn’t been a real threat in any of his races this year.

Square Dancer will break from the rail, with David Lopez riding him for the first time. With the significant class relief and an expected honest pace, the deep closer could get up in time with a clean trip.

KEY CONTENDERS

Square Dancer, by Circular Quay
Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-82

◗ This will be his first start below the stakes level since he won his first start here, and if they all go, the shape of the race should work in his favor.

Brass and Gold, by Sungold
Last 3 Beyers: 75-64-74

◗ Trained by Barbara Heads, the two-time B.C. Cup Classic winner couldn’t catch Dancing Don and Bluegrass Angus when he was favored in a similar race June 25. However, there is more potential speed in this field, and he could take a big step forward in his second straight route.

Bluegrass Angus, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 76-82-64

◗ The speed of the speed, the Craig MacPherson-trained multiple stakes winner looked good winning a $16,000 claiming sprint prior to almost taking them all the way in the same race that Brass and Gold exits.