Usher Inc. tough with better trip

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Usher Inc. will try to make amends for a loss in his last race when he squares off against six other 3-year-old colts and geldings in the feature race at Hastings Saturday. The $25,000 claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs goes as race 7 on the card.

Usher Inc., trained by Cindy Krasner, scored an impressive front-running win in a six-furlong maiden special weight race on May 24. When he came back in a first-level allowance race for

3-year-olds and up June 8, he was the odds-on favorite, was squeezed back leaving the starting gate, then went four wide around both turns before finishing fifth.

Usher Inc. drew post 6, and if he gets a clean break jockey Dave Wilson should be able put him in a stalking position just off of Freequartersmine and Outofthe-sale.

Freequartersmine has speed, drew the rail, and it is likely that jockey Frank Fuentes will try and put him on the lead. He set honest fractions before tiring to finish second to Snow Moon in a $35,000 claiming sprint May 17.

Outofthesale also has good speed, and he held on well to finish second in a $15,000 claiming race May 31. The winner, Alarico, came back to run a close second behind Star Prospector in the CTHS Sales Stakes last Sunday. Outofthesale was claimed out of the race by trainer William La Vanway.

If a speed duel develops, it could set the race up nicely for Postmaster General.