Teide looks to make amends at Hastings

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Despite finishing second to his stablemate Almost Time in the $52,000 John Londgen 6000 June 6, Teide still figures to be a heavy favorite in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors' at Hastings Thursday, Canada Day. The 1 1/8-mile feature drew four horses and goes as race 3 on the nine-race card that begins at 1:40 p.m.

Also on the Canada Day card are the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares and the $50,000 Supernaturel for 3-year-old fillies. The Sun features Concert Music, who is undefeated and will be stretching out to a route for the first time. The Supernaturel appears to be the most wide-open of the three stakes.

Teide, trained by Dino Condilenios, ran a surprising race in the 1 1/16-mile Longden. Instead of stalking Canadian Derby winner Tommy Danzigger like he did in his 4 1/2-length win in the George Royal May 8, Teide dueled with Tommy Danzigger through sprint-like fractions for the first six-furlongs. That he was able to hold on to finish a clear second is a testament to just how good he is.

"We just didn't want Tommy Danzigger to get away on his own," said Condilenios. "I didn't expect them to go that fast. He came out of the race in great shape, so I expect him to run a big race."

Teide has done his best work when he has stalked the pace, but with no other real speed in the field he'll probably be put right on the lead by his usual rider, Chad Hoverson.

Almost Time couldn't have been more impressive in his win in the Longden, but it isn't very likely he will get the same kind of setup here.

Spaghetti Mouse won the Lieutenant Governors' three straight years beginning in 2006. He may have lost a step or two as an 8-year-old, but he is coming off of an easy win over Ganbei in a $50,000 optional race May 30, and according to his trainer, Terry Dubois, he is coming up to the race in excellent shape.

"He is doing fantastic right now and we really don't have anywhere else to run him," said Dubois. "I know there are tough horses in there, but it is either run here or keep him in the barn."

Ganbei also runs in the Lieutenant Governors'. Trained by Mel Snow, he followed up his second to Spaghetti Mouse with a third to Lowther Street in a $50,000 optional race June 20.