Three may benefit from distance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Fortynine Express, Mountain Magician, and Sin Toro each got off to a slow start in his debut going 3 1/2 furlongs. They should appreciate stretching out to 6 1/2 furlongs in what appears to be a wide-open $50,000 Ladnesian Stakes at Hastings Sunday.

Fortynine Express will likely be the favorite over seven other 2-year-old colts and geldings. Trained by Terry Jordan, Fortynine Express was sent off as the even-money choice in his unveiling May 28, but he got left leaving the starting gate and wasn't much of a factor. He's had a series of strong works since, and his jockey-trainer combination of Chad Hoverson and Jordan has won 31 percent of the time over the past two meets.

Mountain Musician broke last of eight in his debut, but rallied strongly to finish a close fourth in a maiden special weight race June 18. He worked a very sharp five furlongs July 2 and he galloped out very strongly. Mountain Musician is trained by Gary Demorest and will be ridden by Frank Fuentes.

Sin Toro comes out of trainer Alan Jack's barn and he also broke last in his debut before making a bit of a move in the stretch. A Kentucky-bred son of Holy Bull, Sin Toro was very impressive in two subsequent works, and it appears Jack has been pointing him to this race for a while. Jake Barton rides Sin Toro.