Tigerheat out to wire allowance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Tigerheat figures to be a short-priced favorite in the feature race at Hastings on Friday. The first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles drew nine horses and goes as the seventh race.

Trained by Terry Jordan, Tigerheat looks like the one they'll have to catch. He was sent off as the 4-5 favorite when he set honest fractions before tiring to finish second in a $50,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-olds on July 5. Jordan indicated that Tigerheat will be on the lead again and he was very confident that he would be able to carry his speed the whole way.

"He seems to do his best running when he's in front," Jordan said. "Come out and watch him win."

Leading rider Mario Gutierrez retains the mount.

There is other speed in the field, and it could set up nicely for Road Risk. With Pedro Alvarado aboard for the first time, Road Risk made a strong move to take the lead at the quarter pole before tiring to finish fifth in the Chris Loseth Handicap on July 6. Road Risk, who is trained by Rob VanOverschot, should appreciate the class relief and he appears to be the main threat to Tigerheat. After getting acquainted with Road Risk in the Chris Loseth, Alvarado figures to have a better sense of Road Risk's capabilities.

Aragorn, who is trained by Lenore DaPonte, could be the sleeper. A half-brother to Grade 3 winner Spaghetti Mouse, Aragorn has looked very sharp in his last couple of works.