Twistgrips will be running late

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer John Snow will stay up past his usual bedtime to watch Twistgrips run in a $25,000 claiming race on the first Friday evening card at Hastings this year. Post time for the first of seven races is 7 p.m. Pacific. Twistgrips will be trying to win for the first time this year in race 6, which goes off at approximately 9:30.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses. If Twistgrips can regain the form he had when he won five races last year, he’ll be tough to beat.

All five of his wins in 2016 came going 6 1/2 furlongs. But he certainly didn’t embarrass himself when he finished third going 1 1/8 miles in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic on closing day, or when he finished third going 1 1/16 miles in a $50,000 optional-claiming race after reeling off three straight wins to start the meet.

He’s started only twice this year, and he’s coming off a solid effort, a third-place finish in a $35,000 optional-claiming race June 18. The runner-up, Sabado Alegre, romped by six lengths in his next start, which came going 1 1/16 miles at the same level July 9.

Twistgrips will appreciate the easier company he is facing Friday, and he may have been trying to tell us something when he worked a sharp half-mile in 46.40 seconds July 14.

He will break from post 5 with usual rider Silvino Morales retaining the mount.

Snow’s father, Mel, could spoil the party with either The Odds R Good or his younger half-brother Good as They Get. It’s a night out for the family, with a full brother to The Odds R Good, The Chances R, running in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds in race 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

Twistgrips, by Benchmark

Last 3 Beyers: 76-80-71

◗ He does his best running late, and with an honest and contested pace expected, he should mow them down late if he runs his usual race.

The Odds R Good, by Cause to Believe

Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-74

◗ He won’t mind the move back to a sprint after fading when going 1 1/16 miles in a $25,000 claiming race June 25.

◗ A four-time winner going 6 1/2 furlongs, he should get a nice trip from a forward position. He was on his toes when he worked a bullet five furlongs in 58.80 seconds July 15.

Coulterberry, by Finality

Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-64

◗ After rallying to win a $25,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs in his initial start this year, he made a middle move before tiring to finish fourth in the $35,000 optional-claiming route behind Sabado Alegre.

◗ His trainer, Mark Cloutier, is winning races at a 30 percent clip at the meet. In the past five years, Cloutier has a 20 percent strike rate and $2.67 return on investment with horses moving from a route to a sprint.