Taylor wins stakes with Taylors Deal, I Think So

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Under a well-timed ride by Mario Gutierrez, Taylors Deal upset the heavily favored Title Contender in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 at Hastings on Monday. Taylors Deal was part of a three-horse Troy Taylor-trained entry that paid $6.60.

Taylors Deal stalked his stablemate Success Rate and Title Contender through rapid fractions of 22.04 and 44.66 seconds. He started to move into contention on the stretch turn, collared Title Contender in midstretch, and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Title Contender, packing the high weight of 125 pounds, held on well to finish second. Wilo Kat rallied to finish third in the eight-horse field.

A 5-year-old son of Second in Command, Taylors Deal ran just once in 2013, winning the $50,000 Express last Sept 2. He won two stakes as a 3-year-old before finishing fourth in his final start of 2012 in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.

“He’s a pretty special horse,” said Taylor, who, along with Glen Todd, owns Taylors Deal. “He obviously has a few issues, but when he’s right, he’s tough to beat.”

The final time of 1:15.57 for 6 1/2 furlongs was just a few ticks off the track record of 1:15.00 set by Torque Converter in 1996.

It was the fourth win on the card for Taylor, who also won the $50,000 Strawberry Morn for fillies and mares with I Think So, who cruised to a 3 1/4-length, front-running win over Overvalued. She paid $6.80.

I Think So was ridden by Alex Bisono, who put her on the lead in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, where she was allowed to set moderate fractions of 22.66 and 46.33 while under no pressure. Castinette Dancer finished third.

The final time was 1:16.29.

The all-sources handle of $1,050,386 was easily the largest of the current meet.