Summerland wins Ross McLeod Stakes as Hastings has strong start to meet

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The 51-day Hastings meet started with an explosion Saturday. The all-sources live mutuel handle of $810,253 for the eight-race card more than doubled the $349,638 wagered on seven races in 2018.

“It was a great start to the season,” said Hastings general manager Darren MacDonald. “The horsemen really came to the party with a quality eight-race card, all with strong fields, and judging by the handle, the fans enjoyed it too.”

Summerland was the star of the show. She remained undefeated in Canada with a convincing 1 1/2-length victory over Warrior’s Promise in the $50,000 Ross McLeod. Her only loss was in the Grade 2 Sorrento at Del Mar last year.

With Enrique Gonzalez aboard, she broke alertly, and after dueling with and disposing of Mrs Taylor, she never looked like she would lose the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-old fillies. Notice, who stalked the pace, finished a distant third.

The shape of the race changed when Im Evin Im Leavin, the second choice in the wagering, scratched after acting up at the gate.

The final time was 1:17.36.

Trained by Phil Hall, the Kentucky-bred daughter of He’s Tops races for George Gilbert. Summerland paid $3.10 and capped off a $1 all-stakes pick four that paid $568.70.

The trio of Hall, Gilbert, and Gonzalez won the first leg of the pick four with Good Luck to You, who came from a stalking position to win the $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Bellamy Road paid $10 for her 2 1/4-length victory over Under Par.

Owner-trainer Glen Todd won the other two stakes with Pan Handle and Dr. John H.

Pan Handle, ridden by Scott Williams, paid $45.70 for his front-running victory over the Hall-trained Apalachee Bay in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural. Bistraya rallied to finish third. Weekend Wizard, the 2-1 favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, got off to a poor start and never got into the race while finishing seventh.

The final time was 1:16.97

Pan Handle is by Texas Wildcatter and was bred in British Columbia by Todd and Salishan Meadows.

Newcomer Denny Velazquez was aboard Dr. John H, who set a pressured pace on his way to a three-quarter-length victory over Explode in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province for 3-year-olds. He posted a final time of 1:18.13 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

A son of Harbor the Gold, the Washington-bred gelding paid $5.10.

Velazquez began his stint at Hastings with a front-running win for Todd in the first race aboard Sir Knight, who paid a generous $15.70. He was 3-1 on the morning line.

“I kind of like Hastings and Vancouver,” said Velazquez, the second-leading rider at the current Turf Paradise meet. “I can’t let this opportunity slip by without thanking Mr. Todd and his team for bringing me here.”

Velazquez replaces Aaron Gryder as the first-call rider for Todd.