Wind Storm wins eventful Hastings stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Wind Storm scored an easy win in the $53,513 Senate Appointee Stakes for fillies and mares at Hastings Sunday. Trained by Dave Forster, Wind Storm ended up being the favorite and paid $9.50.

Wind Storm, who was ridden by Richard Hamel, wasn't favored when she left the starting gate. She inherited the role when heavily favored Holy Nova was declared a non-starter by the stewards after she reared and lost her jockey in the starting gate.

Wind Storm stalked the pace set by Heaven On Hold, took control of the race just past the quarter pole, and then ran off to win by 6 1/4 lengths over Blue Sky Holiday. Final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:17.28. She is trained by Dave Forster.

On Saturday Bank Emblem held off Spaghetti Mouse to win the 1 1/16-mile John Longden 6000 by a neck. With Frank Fuentes aboard, Bank Emblem set moderate fractions of 24.30, 48.04 and 1:12.09. Spaghetti Mouse stalked Bank Emblem right from the start and then moved up to engage Bank Emblem on the stretch turn. The two of them matched strides all the way down the stretch with Bank Emblem prevailing in an exciting finish.

Bank Emblem, who is trained by Rob Gilker, paid $13. Final time for the race was 1:43.62.

Krazy Koffee, who was the odds-on favorite, finished third.