Stanz in Command finishes fast to win Jim Coleman Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Stanz in Command made a strong late move to defeat Crazy Prophet by 1 1/4 lengths in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Stakes at Hastings on Sunday.

With leading rider Richard Hamel aboard, Stanz in Command ($12.80) had one horse beat while Crushin Candy and Dashing Don were dueling through interior fractions of 22.30 and 45.34 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds. He was still sixth at the top of the stretch but he was in full stride and he was able to maintain his momentum while splitting horses midstretch. Crazy Prophet looked like the winner turning for home but couldn’t hold off Stanz in Command. Dashing Don held on to finish a game third, just a neck behind Crazy Prophet.

“There was lots of pace so I was happy to be near the back early,” said Hamel. “I had tons of horse so I knew I wasn’t worried about getting through horses in the stretch. “

Stanz in Command is trained by Charlene Miller and owned by Robert Scott.

The final time was 1:18.37.

Earlier on the card, Snuggles paid $8.50 for her 1 1/4-length win over Princess Katie in the $50,000 Ross McLeod for 3-year-old fillies. Her final time of 1:17.39 was almost a second faster than Stanz in Command’s.

Snuggles was ridden by Rico Walcott, who put her into the race right from the start. She sat just off her stablemate, Omi, before pressing the issue on the stretch turn. She took a narrow advantage into the stretch and drew clear late. Princess Katie rallied to get up for second. Omi held on well to finish third.