Title Contender much the best in Winston Churchill

VANCOUVER, British Columbia –Title Contender was a convincing 3 3/4- length winner over Modern in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill for 3-year-olds and up at Hastings on Sunday. He paid $3.40 as the heavy favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race that drew seven horses.

Rico Walcott took a strong hold of Title Contender while putting him into a stalking position behind Modern and Success Rate early. He easily took over the lead at the quarter-pole, held a two-length lead over Modern heading into the stretch, and drew away under strong urging from Walcott. Modern was game while holding off the late-charging Wilo Kat.

“It worked out pretty good,” said Walcott. “He’s a hard horse to ride and he just kept trying to pull me to the lead. But, I got him to relax on the backstretch and he finished up strong when I turned him loose.”

It was the third winner on the card for Walcott, who is the leading rider at Northlands Park.

The final time was a quick 1:43.71.

Title Contender is trained by Anita Bolton and owned by Peter Redekop. A 4-year-old, Title Contender won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby and Grade 3 British Columbia Derby last year.

Earlier Miss Derek paid $8.30 for her win over Overvalued in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares.

Miss Derek has a mind of her own but when she settles she can be a tough horse to beat. In the Sun , she broke alertly with Richard Hamel aboard and looked comfortable sitting just off Lady Henrietta, who led after a moderate half-mile in 48.46 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile race. She took over the lead approaching the quarter pole and was immediately collared by Overvalued. Miss Derek easily repelled Overvalued, took a one-length lead into the stretch , and under a vigorous hand ride widened her margin to 5 1/2lengths. Touching Promise rallied to finish third.

“We have been trying to get her to settle and she was very relaxed today,” said Hamel. “She responded every time I asked her and she really dug in when Overvalued put a lot of pressure on her.”

The final time was 1:44.20.

Miss Derek is trained by Craig MacPherson and owned by Copper Water Thoroughbred Company.

MacPherson and Hamel teamed up to win the $50,000 River Rock Casino for 3-year-olds with Koffee Grinder on Saturday.