Title Contender stretches out in featured optional claimer

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A trio of Grade 3 winners appears likely to battle it out in a $25,000 optional-claiming race that serves as the feature Sunday at Hastings.

Title Contender is the one to beat. He is coming off a runner-up finish going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 claimer Sept. 13 and figures to be favored over Grade 3 British Columbia Premier’s winners Commander and Senor Rojo.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 4 on a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Title Contender, who won the Grade 3 B.C. Derby in 2013, was coming off a layoff last out when he just missed behind stablemate Richter Red, and he shouldn’t have any trouble handling the added distance.

Trained by Anita Bolton, Title Contender was the champion older horse of 2014 in British Columbia, and it looked like he was going to be among the leaders in the older handicap division this year after he finished second in his first two starts – the George Royal and John Longden 6000 stakes. However, his only win at the meet came in a $35,000 optional-claiming race July 5. After finishing fifth in a $50,000 optional claimer July 18, he was given some time off before his loss by a head as the even-money favorite Sept. 13.

Title Contender has good tactical speed and likely will be forwardly placed with Antonio Reyes aboard for the first time.

Commander and Senor Rojo will appreciate the added distance after not making much of an impact in the same race that Title Contender exits.

Wilo Kat, the winner of the 2013 B.C. Cup Classic, adds luster to a strong field.

Key contenders

Title Contender (Last 3 Beyers: 84-74-84)

He figures to move forward in his second start following a layoff and should get a nice trip stalking what should be a moderate pace.

DRF Formulator fact: Since 2013, Bolton has a 25 percent strike rate with horses going from a sprint to a route.

Commander (Last 3 Beyers: 52-46-75)

Trained by Troy Taylor, he does his best work when he can be involved early, and that should be the case here if he breaks alertly with David Lopez retaining the mount. Toss out his latest as he got hung out pretty wide going into the first turn.

Senor Rojo (Last 3 Beyers: 70-80-70)

The Dave Forster-trained 9-year-old has finished in the top three in 43 of 60 starts and should be rolling late with leading rider Richard Hamel riding.