Stakes pair try to get back on winning track

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - B R Remark and And All That Jazz will begin to try and salvage what has been a disappointing season when they run in the feature race at Hastings on Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong second level allowance race with a $50,000 claiming option drew seven older horses and goes as the seventh race.

Both B R Remark and And All That Jazz were stakes winners in 2008 and neither has won a race this year. B R Remark, trained by Brian Giesbrecht, was the champion sprinter in British Columbia in 2007 and 2008, but he hasn't come close to running his best race at the meet. In his initial start this year he finished sixth in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes on May 2. He showed signs of life with a close third in a $75,000 optional sprint on June 27 but then ran another dull race in the B.C. Cup Sprint Aug. 3, finishing last. A stalker, B R Remark should have an honest pace to work with on Sunday.

As usual, Keveh Nicholls rides B R Remark.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, And All That Jazz is the speed of the speed. He used his good early lick to win the B.C. Cup Sprint last year and he also finished second to B R Remark in the PNE Presidents Speed Handicap. However, in three starts this season he has yet to hit the board. His Beyer Speed Figures are in an ascending pattern so it is possible he will run a big race on Sunday. He also worked a sharp five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Aug. 8.

And All That Jazz drew the rail, and jockey Dave Wilson has no other option but to put him right on the lead.

MacPherson has also entered Bearrock N Roll, who is coming off of a front-running win in a $25,000 optional race on July 26.

McArthur, trained by Juan Olmos, is the sharpest horse in the field and will likely be favored to win his third straight race. A 4-year-old Florida-bred gelding, McArthur began his career in Southern California and he was a maiden when he arrived here this spring. He won a maiden special weight race in his second start at the meet, and after finishing second in a $25,000 optional race on June 14, he scored an easy win over next-out winner Road Risk in a first-level allowance race on July 5. McArthur came from a stalking position to win a $50,000 optional race on July 24 and he figures to get a similar trip with Pedro Alvarado aboard.