Title Contender scores as George Royal favorite

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Title Contender came from a stalking position to win the $50,000 George Royal for 3-year-olds and up at Hastings on Sunday. Sent off as the favorite in the eight-horse field, Title Contender paid $4.40 for his 1 1/2-length win over longshot Twistgrips.

Breaking sharply with Rico Walcott aboard, Title Contender looked comfortable sitting just off Golden Triumph and Success Rate , who carved out quick interior fractions of 21.94 and 44.34 seconds in the 6 ½-furlong dash. When the rail opened up approaching the quarter pole, Walcott asked Title Contender to respond and he immediately took control of the race. He held a two length advantage turning for home and never looked threatened while easily holding off Twistgrips. Senor Rojo rallied to finish third.

“I just played it by ear,” said Walcott. “We were in a good spot and when the hole opened up on the rail he went right through it.”

The final time was 1:16.25.

Title Contender, who won the Grade 3, British Columbia Derby last year, is trained by Anita Bolton. He is owned by Peter Redekop, who was inducted in the B.C. Horse Racing Hall of Fame last November.

Under a perfectly timed ride by Aaron Gryder, heavily favored Hollywood Miss had just enough to hold off Madeira Park to win the co-featured $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares by a head. The 4-year-old Hollywood Miss, a daughter of Second in Command, paid $3.90.

Hollywood Miss stalked the early pace set by Overvalued, who was under pressure from Dear Lily. Hollywood Miss moved into contention on the stretch turn, started to edge clear of Overvalued when they turned for home, and then was all out to hold off the determined late move by Madeira Park. Bamboo Dream, 44-1, rallied to finish third.

The final time was 1:17.32.

“She showed a lot of courage,” said Gryder. “At the eighth pole I could hear the other horse coming and she just dug in. It was a very game effort. “

Hollywood Miss is trained by Troy Taylor.