Summerland impresses with Spaghetti Mouse win

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Summerland set a track record for 3 1/2 furlongs when she debuted in a maiden special weight race at Hastings on May 27. She was even more impressive winning the $50,000 Spaghetti Mouse by 7 1/4 lengths over Vintage Man on Sunday.

She paid $2.30 for her easy victory in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-olds.

With Enriquez Gonzalez aboard, Summerland broke sharply from the outside post in the five-horse field and was well within herself while carving out interior fractions of 23.00 and 46.24 seconds. Vintage Man made what looked like a threatening move on the stretch turn, but Gonzalez let out a notch and Summerland drew off to win with complete authority. Vintage Man held on to finish second with Bugsy rallying to finish third.

The final time was a brisk 1:10.82.

Summerland, the only filly in the field, is trained by Phil Hall.

“We knew she was fast, but you never know what you have until they go once around this track,” Hall said. “I’m impressed. It looked like Vintage Man might go by her but she found another gear.”

Summerland is owned by George Gilbert who, along with Tres Hombres, bred the Kentucky-bred daughter of He’s Tops.