Taylors Deal stretches out in Monday claimer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Taylors Deal looked good winning his latest sprint and shouldn’t mind stretching out to a middle distance for the first time this year in a $25,000 claiming race at Hastings on Monday. The eight-race Labor Day card begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses, with Taylors Deal clearly the one to beat.
Due to physical problems, Taylors Deal has been raced sparingly by trainer Troy Taylor since he finished fourth as the key component in a three-horse Glen Todd-owned entry that was heavily favored to win the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby in 2012.
Following the Derby, Taylors Deal was off for almost a year before winning the $50,000 Express in his only outing in 2013, and he won two of his three starts in 2014. He went winless last year but was the runner-up in his first two races before being thrown to the wolves in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, where he never really got involved. He closed out the year with a dull effort in the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate.
In his second start this year, the classy 7-year-old looked great in winning a $25,000 claiming race July 31, and he was well in hand when he worked four furlongs Aug. 27. With two stakes wins and a runner-up finish going 1 1/16 miles, he should be tough to handle in his first route attempt this year. He drew post No. 2, with David Lopez picking up the mount from Richard Hamel.
Hamel trades places with Lopez on Venetian Mask. Trained by Mike Anderson, Venetian Mask romped going 1 1/16 miles in a $16,000 claiming race July 24 before finishing fifth in a $35,000 optional-claiming sprint Aug. 26.
KEY CONTENDERS
Taylors Deal, by Second in Command
Last 3 Beyers: 76-69-79
◗ With two solid sprints and a sharp work, he appears to be primed for a big effort at a distance at which he has thrived.
Venetian Mask, by Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-79
◗ He was very impressive when romping over Grade 3 winner Senor Rojo two back and should appreciate the move back to a route after an even effort going 6 1/2 furlongs last out.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Hamel has won with 45 percent of his mounts from Anderson at the meet.
Mysterious Soul, by Perfect Soul
Last 3 Beyers: 68-58-78
◗ Trained by Barbara Heads, the Grade 3-placed 7-year-old will be running in a straight claiming race for the first time and has enough tactical speed to take advantage of his inside post.