Summerland seems too good for her Fantasy foes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall said it is “all systems go” for Summerland, who will be heavily favored to win the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies Saturday at Hastings.

If Summerland comes close to running anywhere near as well as she did in her three local races, all sprints, she will be a handful in the 1 1/16-mile race that, partly due to her presence, drew just four horses. The Fantasy kicks off a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Summerland won her three starts here by a combined 26 1/2 lengths, with her only loss a seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Sorrento, a six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies Aug. 5 at Del Mar. The Sorrento winner, Bellafina, came back to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante by 4 1/4 lengths and will likely be favored in the Grade 1 Chandelier on Saturday at Santa Anita.

The trip to Southern California did not appear to take anything out of Summerland when she won an open allowance race at Hastings by 10 lengths on Sept. 8. Her final time of 1:17.44 for 6 1/2 furlongs was almost two seconds faster than the 1:19.22 it took the undefeated Dancin Shoes to win the $50,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity one race later. Dancin Shoes appears to be the main threat to Summerland in the Fantasy.

Before giving the winner’s share of the purse to Summerland’s owner George Gilbert, it must be noted she is out of the two-time sprint stakes winner Otero, who went winless in seven route attempts.

Hall is confident Summerland will be fine going around three turns for the first time.

“The way she runs I don’t think she’ll have any trouble going long,” he said. “She just keeps getting stronger and appears to have more in the tank. Plus, she gallops out like she wants to keep rolling.”

Summerland held the lead at every call in her races at Hastings and should be the one they have to run down Saturday. She leaves from post 2 with her usual rider Enrique Gonzalez aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Summerland, by He’s Tops

Last 3 Beyers: 80-47-72

◗ She hasn’t been tested in any of her starts here, and the 80 Beyer Speed Figure she received for her lopsided win in her latest is the best by a 2-year-old filly on any surface in Canada this year.

Dancin Shoes, by Cross Traffic

Beyers: 61-57

◗ Trained by Barbara Heads, she was very impressive when she stalked a fast pace while winning the $50,000 B.C. Cup Debutante in her debut. In her only other start, she appeared to be intimidated early but still romped by 8 1/2 lengths in the Sadie Diamond.

Friday, by Shackleford

Last 3 Beyers: 49-35-33

◗ She is trending in the right direction, and considering both of her siblings are route winners, she could thrive going a middle distance for the first time.