Venetian Mask stretches out for John Longden 6000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With a couple of sharp sprints behind him, Venetian Mask appears primed for a big effort in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 at Hastings on Sunday.

He is one of many possibilities in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that drew 12 horses.

Trained by Mike Anderson, Venetian Mask will appreciate the added yardage after finishing second going 6 1/2 furlongs in the Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural and third going the same distance in the George Royal. A much better horse going a route of ground, Venetian Mask closed out his 2016 campaign with a head loss to Killin Me Smalls going 1 3/8 miles in the Grade 3 Premiers.

Anderson likes the way Venetian Mask is coming up to the Longden.

“He had a few minor issues last year, and having the winter off did him a world of good,” he said. “He’s a fresh horse, and he’ll like the extra ground.”

Venetian Mask is versatile, and with his good tactical speed, he could get a nice trip from a stalking position. He drew post 7, with Jeff Burningham retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Venetian Mask, by Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-81

◗ With 12 horses in the field, the winner is going to need a clean trip. Venetian Mask could be in the clear while sitting not too far off what should be an honest-enough pace.

Modern, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 87-85-61

◗ The classy 7-year-old trained by Dino Condilenios is coming off a front-running win in the George Royal and took them all the way in this race last year. If he can clear early, he will be tough to run down again.

Calgary Caper, by El Corredor
Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-74

◗ A deep closer, he could get a nice setup if Kristofferson or Sorryaboutnothing try to go with Modern early. He won back-to-back stakes going around three turns in the $75,000 Pacific Customs Brokers Classic and $75,000 S.W. Randall Plate last year, and trainer Phil Hall is excited about stretching him out to a middle distance after a couple of useful preps sprinting.

“He couldn’t be doing better, and the added distance is obviously going to benefit him,” Hall said.

Bistraya, by Haynesfield
Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-81

◗ Making his first start at Hastings for trainer Robert Gilker, he ran a big race to finish second in the George Royal.

◗ One of his two career wins came going a mile in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita, so he shouldn’t mind going around three turns for the first time.

◗ Note his fourth-place finish to last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist, in the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar, and you get the idea that his connections thought highly of him early in his career.