Uncharacteristic ($56.90) gets up in final strides of George Royal

Despite winning the Grade 3 Canadian Derby and the $101,750 Manitoba Derby in his last two starts, Uncharacteristic paid $56.90 for his win in the $50,000 George Royal at Hastings on Saturday.

The fact that he was cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs while facing older horses for the first time had a lot to do with the big price.

With Alex Marti aboard, Uncharacteristic broke from the outside post in the 10-horse field, was last early and had one horse beat when Bold Arch, under pressure from Sir Bregovic, posted a quick quarter-mile time of 21.63 seconds. He started to make his presence known approaching the quarter-pole, was under a full head of steam while going four-wide around the stretch turn and got up in the last couple of strides to edge Porter Gent by a head.

Porter Gent sat just off the pace while saving ground, took over the lead approaching the wire and just missed in a solid effort. Sir Bregovic dueled through a half-mile in 44.32 seconds, took over the lead on the stretch turn and was game in defeat while finishing three-quarters of a length behind Porter Gent.

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The final time was 1:16.23.

Uncharacteristic is trained by Rob VanOverschot, who claimed the Kentucky-bred son of Texas Wildcatter on behalf of Adam Isfeld for $8,000 out of his second start as a 2-year-old. Isfeld races under the stable name Ironside Stables Ltd.

The $27,500 winner’s share of the purse boosted his career earnings to $179.500.

Solarity came from a stalking position to win the co-featured $50,000 Emerald Downs. She paid $15.00 for her three-quarter-length victory over her stablemate, Cha Ching, in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares.

Ridden by Antonio Reyes, Solarity broke alertly from post 4 in the five-horse field, tracked Heidi and Rea Mea early, took over the lead just past the half-mile mark, opened up a clear lead in the stretch and held off Cha Ching, who was last early. Heidi held on to finish third.

The claim of foul by the rider of Rea Mea against Solarity for causing interference leaving the stretch turn was disallowed. Heavily favored Bayakoas Image finished last following a rough trip as she hopped at the start and steadied slightly approaching the quarter-pole.

The final time was 1:16.85.

Solarity is trained by Barbara Heads.

The homebred daughter of Mass Market was bred in British Columbia by Russell and Lois Bennet, as was Cha Ching.