We B Three wins Emerald Downs Stakes; Settecento takes George Royal

We B Three led all the way to take the Emerald Downs Stakes and rank outsider Settecento stalked the pace and caught the battling front-runners late to win the George Royal, each race run at 6 1/2 furlongs and for a purse of $50,000, at Hastings on Saturday.

The most anticipated matchup of the day was foiled when Air Force came down with a fever and had to be scratched from the Emerald Downs. That left Infinite Patience an even-money favorite at off time and the defending four-time B.C. horse of the year failed to fire, checking in fourth beaten seven-and-three-quarters lengths by We B Three.

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The running time of the Emerald Downs of 1:15.67 was among the fastest ever recorded by a filly or mare at Hastings. Strawberry Morn was credited with 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 3/5 on August 30, 1997, and before Hastings races were timed to the hundredth of a second. The pair are now recognized as being tied for the quickest 6 1/2 furlongs run at Hastings by a filly or mare since Equibase began recording such data in 1991.

Steve Henson trains the We B Three for Willow Creek Farms. Amadeo Perez piloted the 6-year-old, who paid $8.60 to win. Miss Union finished second, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner, and it was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Viva La Vino in third.

The George Royal was impacted when Soaringforthesun did not receive a fair start and was later declared a non-starter. That left pace chores to eventual runner-up Bakken Overdrive and eventual third-place finisher Stormy Blue, who battled head to head for most of the race.

Settecento, owned by Hastings Horsepower and Motley Crew, hugged the rail for much of the way and got through in the stretch to win by a half-length. Dave Milburn trains the winner, who paid $36.60.

It was the first stakes win for jockey Learie Seecharan, who said after the race: "I'm really happy, and to do it for Dave Milburn and Peter Milburn is the best feeling." Of his pre-race plans, the rider added: "I just wanted to save some ground and try to make one run - it worked out pretty well."

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