Wind Storm finds soft spot

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Wind Storm has been holding her own while running against multiple stakes winners Holy Nova and Lady Raj. She figures to be the favorite Saturday at Hastings in an allowance race restricted to nonwinners of a stakes in 2008. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew five fillies or mares.

Trained by Dave Forster, Wind Storm is looking for her first win of the year. All four of her starts this year have been in stakes, and she will certainly appreciate the class relief. She kicked off her 4-year-old campaign this year with a very good third to Holy Nova in the Brighouse Belles and she came right back to finish in the same spot in the 6 1/2-furlong Senate Appointee, also won by Holy Nova.

Bred and owned by George Gilbert, Wind Storm is moving back to a sprint after finishing sixth behind Lady Raj in the 1 1/16-mile Vancouver Sun on July 5. Richard Hamel rides Wind Storm.

Montero, who is trained by Barb Heads, got off to a late start this year because she was offered for sale as a broodmare prospect at the Keeneland sale in January. When she didnt reach her reserve she was put back in training. Montero finished sixth in a $25,000 optional race at Pleasanton on July 4, and if she follows her 2007 form, she should take a big step forward in her second start of the year. Last year she won a $35,000 optional race at Hastings in her second start and subsequently won the $75,000 Wild Rose Handicap at Northlands Park.