Synergy headed to Century Mile for Canadian Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Synergy remained undefeated as a 3-year-old with an impressive win in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill last Thursday at Hastings. According to trainer Barbara Heads, it will be the last time we will see the son of Sungold at Hastings this year.

There are no open stakes for 3-year-olds left at the meet, so Synergy is heading to Century Mile where he will be pointed to the Grade 3, $100,000 Canadian Derby on Sept. 27.

After narrowly winning back-to-back sprints, including a nose decision over Yo Zackly in the $40,000 Chris Loseth, Synergy was stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time since he finished third in the $75,000 Ascot Graduation on Oct. 14. Ridden by Efrain Hernandez last Thursday, Synergy bided his time while Porter Gent was carving out quick interior fractions. He started to make his presence known at the six-furlong mark and then made a strong three-wide move around the stretch turn before drawing away to win by three lengths over Porter Gent.

It was a visually impressive performance, and the 77 Beyer Speed Figure he received is a career best for the gelding, bred in British Columbia by his owners, Russell and Lois Bennett.

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“He really developed over the winter,” Heads said. “He’s just a much better horse than he was at 2. He came out of the race in great shape, so Alberta here we come. There are no stakes races at Century leading up to the derby, but I was told that they were going to write an allowance race for the derby horses.”

According to Century Mile racing manager Matt Jukich, a $22,000-added stakes race for 3-year-olds and up is scheduled for Sept. 4.

“We just don’t have enough 3-year-olds, so we are making it a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up,” Jukich said. “I know it is not ideal, but at least it will give them a race before the derby. With nominations, the purse should be around $30,000.”

Porter Gent also could make the trip to Century Mile. He was going a middle distance for the first time in the Churchill and held on well after setting a quick pace.

“He came out of the race in good shape, and we are considering the Canadian Derby for him,” trainer Christine Ammann said. “We haven’t finalized anything, though.”

Yo Zackly, who finished third, is staying at Hastings. According to trainer Steve Henson, he will make his next start in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3- and 4-year-olds on Sept. 5.

Henson has a big shot of winning the feature race Thursday with Square Dancer, who should be favored in the $6,250 claimer for 3-year-olds and up that have not won a race since July 20 or that have never won four races. The 1 1/16-mile race drew eight horses and goes as race 4 on an eight-race card that begins at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.

A Grade 3 winner with 11 victories, Square Dancer is coming off a runner-up finish in a similar race in his first start of the year on July 28.