Summerland stars in Supernaturel; Im Evin Im Leavin goes in Sonoma

With Woodbine dark Monday, the focus of racing in Canada shifts west, where a couple of 3-year-old filly stars will strut their stuff at Hastings and Century Mile. First post for the Canada Day cards are 1:45 p.m. Mountain at Century and 1:50 p.m. Pacific at Hastings.

Summerland will try to remain undefeated in Canada in the $50,000 Supernaturel Handicap at Hastings. Im Evin Im Leavin will be trying for her fourth straight win in the $50,000 Sonoma Handicap at Century. Prior to going on a roll, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Can the Man was the runner-up behind Summerland in the $75,000 Freedom of the City at Century Downs last Sept. 29.

Co-featured at Century is the $50,000 Count Lathum for 3-year-olds.

Other than when she finished seventh in the Grade 2 Sorrento at Del Mar, Summerland completely dominated her opponents in all of her sprints. Trained by Phil Hall, the Kentucky-bred daughter of He’s Tops is coming off a particularly impressive performance in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings on June 1. Despite being under pressure early, she won the 6 1/2-furlong dash by six lengths and received a career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

Summerland’s narrowest margin of victory came going around three turns in the $75,000 Fantasy, where she edged Dancin Shoes by three-quarters of a length.

With other speed in the 1 1/16-mile Supernaturel, Summerland could be vulnerable while packing the high weight of 125 pounds. Despite the presence of other speed, the strategy will be the same.

“We’re just going to let her run her race and see how far she’ll go,” said Hall. “I don’t think she would like sitting off a half-mile in 47 and change, so we aren’t taking back.”

Summerland will break from the outside post in the six-horse field with usual rider Enrique Gonzalez aboard.

Trainer Steve Bryant thinks he has a good at an upset with Above All Names, who will be running on dirt for the first time. In her last start, in a first-level allowance race at Woodbine for trainer Blair Miller, she was stuck on the rail behind horses until they turned for home. When clear, she unleashed a strong rally to win the 1 1/16-mile turf race going away.

It was her first start for owner Bernie Kooner, who purchased her after she finished fourth in the Grade 3 Selene on Tapeta on May 18.

“Her breeding is all dirt, so I think she’ll be fine running here,” said Bryant. “She’s doing great, and the race should set up for her. I really like her.”

Above All Names will break from post 4 with Richard Hamel riding.

Trainer Greg Tracy likes the way Im Evin Im Leavin is coming up to the one-mile Sonoma. She showed she was more than just a speed horse when she came from off the pace to win the $50,000 Chariot Chaser on June 2.

“We wanted to try something different, and she rated nicely in the Sonoma,” said Tracy. “There is a lot of speed drawn inside, so we’re hoping for the same kind of trip.”

Im Evin Im Leavin will break from post 5 with Praven Badrie retaining the mount.

The main threat is Exactly, who romped in two of her three starts and finished second in the Chariot Chaser just eight days following her impressive debut.

After the Chariot Chaser, Exactly won a first-level allowance race with a $15,000 claiming option by 11 3/4 lengths on June 13.

Being the second foal out of a mare who won going long on turf, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Power Broker could thrive going a middle distance.

Exactly will break from post 2 with leading rider Dane Nelson aboard.

Sharp Dressed Beau looks like the one to beat in the one-mile Count Lathum. Trained by Rick Hedge, the Oregon-bred son of Car Talk came from a stalking position to win the $50,000 Western Canada going six furlongs on June 2 and should get a similar trip while going around two turns for the first time.

Trainer Tim Rycroft thinks he can beat Sharp Dressed Beau with Call It a Wrap, who rallied to finish second in the Western Canada.

“I just think the extra distance will work in his favor,” said Rycroft.