Sunday feature offers buffet of contenders

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With just a couple of weeks and four racing days left in the Hastings meet after Sunday, there will be a lot of horses taking the plunge in order to get a win before the 25-day meet concludes on Sept. 27.

In Sunday’s feature, a 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up running for a top claiming price of $10,000, handicappers will choose between horses like Captain Jones and Highway Boss, who are cutting their price in half, or Appellant and Aditya, who are each looking for a third straight win.

It is a bit of a dilemma. However, considering the possible shape of the race, Captain Jones is worth a stab at what could be a decent price.

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Trained by Frank Barroby, Captain Jones likes to be involved early and there is not a ton of speed in the field. He finished last in a $16,000 claimer in his last start on Aug. 16, but he was coming off a route, so his speed may have been dulled. Plus, there was an abundance of serious speed in the field, and the 8-year-old gelding by Bold Executive is not as quick as he once was.

He should be a bit sharper in his second straight sprint, and it certainly won’t hurt that leading rider Amadeo Perez will be aboard for the first time.

Captain Jones will break from post 4 and could be tough to get past if Perez can get him into the mix early.

The Glen Todd-trained Highway Boss doesn’t have a lot of early lick, but he is a stakes winner and could be sitting on a big effort in his third start this year. In his latest outing, he rallied to finish third in a $16,000 claimer on Aug. 30.

Appellant has three wins and a third-place finish in four sprints at the meet. Trainer Rob Maybin owns the 5-year-old gelding by Midnight Lute with his wife, Sheena.

Appellant ran okay when he finished fourth going three turns in a $6,250 conditioned claimer in his only other start at the meet. In his most recent outing, Appellant came from a stalking position to wear down Wise Market in an $8,000 claimer on Aug. 23.

The 12-time winner Aditya is perfect in two starts at the meet, and is trained by Barbara Heads.

CTHS sale posts declines

Numbers were down at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society sale, British Columbia Division, held on Tuesday.

The total for 48 yearlings sold was $638,600, compared to $1,065,500 for the 64 that were bought last year. The average price for a yearling was $13,304, compared to $16,648 in 2019.

Peter Redekop was the leading buyer, with $101,000 spent on four yearlings. Emerald Acres was the top consignor, with five yearlings sold for a total of $87,000.