Summerland to take swing at the big girls at Del Mar

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Summerland proved her track-record performance in her debut was no fluke with an impressive victory in the $50,000 Spaghetti Mouse on Sunday at Hastings. The 2-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of He’s Top’s broke sharply, posted a quick half-mile of 46.24 seconds, was challenged by Vintage Man on the stretch turn, and drew off to win the six-furlong dash decisively.

She was ridden by Enrique Gonzalez, who had her well in hand inside the final sixteenth. The way she galloped out suggested that, if needed, Gonzalez had another gear to go to.

The 72 Beyer Speed Figure she was given for her 7 1/2-length romp is the best figure earned by a 2-year-old filly in Canada this year. Second in the Canadian Beyer standings is the 71 she received for her 3 1/2-furlong debut win May 27.

Trainer Phil Hall said she is being pointed to the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 5 at Del Mar.

“That was an impressive performance, and when she came back to the barn you wouldn’t have known she had been in a race,” Hall said. “She is doing extremely well, so we’re going to try and find out how good she really is. We’ll ship her to Del Mar about 10 days before the race. She doesn’t need to do much, but we might give her an easy breeze just to let her get a good feel for the track.”

Hall had a huge weekend. He won the $50,000 Count Lathum with Apalachee Bay on Saturday at Northlands Park and swept both stakes Sunday at Hastings, with Summerland and Calgary Caper, who won the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ with Sahin Civaci aboard.

Apalachee Bay and Calgary Caper will make their next starts Aug. 6 at Hastings. Apalachee Bay will likely be favored to win the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial, and Calgary Caper will be among the favorites in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic.

Apalachee Bay was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time when he won the 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum by five lengths. He was ridden by Rigo Sarmieneto, who put him on the lead early.

“That was a good race for him,” Hall said. “We’ll bring him back for the Derby Trial and go from there.”

Sharp Contrast turns back

Sharp Contrast will appreciate the move back to a sprint and the easier company when she runs in a conditional allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-old fillies kicks off the eight-race card, which begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Sharp Contrast, trained by Mark Cloutier, set the pace before fading when she went around three turns for the first time in the $50,000 Supernaturel on July 2.

The horse she has to beat is her stablemate Under Par, who is coming off a runner-up finish in a second-level allowance sprint July 1.