Return of BC Cup at Hastings has Everyone Jumping for Joy

The Hastings season recorded its highest handle of $1.1 million as the six-stakes BC Cup Day returned for the first time in two years. (Recaps of the stakes events courtesy of Horseracing BC, Mike Heads.)

Race 2 — BC Cup Debutante Stakes

The second race of the day was the first of six stakes races offered and kicking things off was the $50,000 BC Cup Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. Visiting the winner’s circle for the blanket presentation was Marty Miller’s LOVEABOVEANDBEYOND (Counterforce – Interrogar by Tejabo) ($27.20) who sat the entire trip in the three path chasing a slow pace under Efrain Hernandez before she proceeded to get the better of her rivals and out-gamed FILLY FATALE for the victory for trainer Mark Cloutier in 1:19.47. Mark Freeman and Dave Milburn’s FILLY FATALE turned in a huge performance, setting leisurely fractions of 23.26 and 47.94 under Kimal Santo and was just outrun to the wire, ending an impressive runner-up. Mauro Comensoli’s MS. STANFORD battled on the lead end and stayed on well for third money under Silvino Morales for trainer Dino Condilenios.

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Loveaboveandbeyond, bred by Ralph Jesiak, is from the first crop of the exciting young BC Stallion Counterforce, a son of Smart Strike.

Race 3 — BC Cup Distaff Handicap Stakes

The third race was the $50,000 BC Cup Distaff for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth and in her usual style Bill DeCoursey and RNH Stables’ INFINITE PATIENCE (Sungold – Montero by Louis Quatorze) displayed immense talent, winning by many for rider Antonio Reyes in 1:43.04. The Barbara Heads trainee broke well, chased the quick pace (23.46, 46.35 and 1:11.14) and then drew off with ease on the final bend and cruised under the line for the victory. The Willow Creek Farms WE B THREE ran another good one as she settled on the rail in mid pack and came on to get second turning for home and just lasted to win the photo for the runner-up spot. Russ and Lois Bennett’s SOLARITY also was comfortable behind the speed and rallied in the stretch to be third.

The 5-year-old mare posted a Beyer Speed Figure of 84 for her seventh win, sixth stales win, in succession.

Race 5 — BC Cup Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial Handicap Stakes

The fifth of the day was the $50,000 BC Cup Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial for three-year-olds going a mile and a sixteenth. The race went to Dave and Sylvea Gregory’s SOARINGFORTHESUN (Sungold – Randon Highs by High Demand) ($12.90) who was well-positioned under Amadeo Perez sitting off of a slow pace of 23.83, 47.91 and 1:12.90, then he started to get away on the field on the stretch turn and cruised in an easy winner in 1:43.89 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Gord Christoff’s GUNFIGHTER settled nicely off the pace but the slow early tempo didn’t help him and he came with a strong run late to get second money. Kim Peacock and Lance Giesbrecht’s REGAL RIOT was away a little slow and out of position early, made a middle move and was caught late for second and ended up third.

Race 6 — BC Cup Nursery Stakes

Legacy Square has overcome two tough trips to remain unbeaten in his career. The 2-year-old son of Lent won the BC Cup Nursery on August 1 – Lisa Thompson photo

The sixth on the program was for two-year-olds going six-and-a-half furlongs in the $50,000 BC Cup Nursery and Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop’s LEGACY SQUARE (Lent – Architecture by Dixie Chatter) ($4.80) overcame a tough trip to win in deep stretch for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Efrain Hernandez had the gelding in a good striking spot had to wait for racing room, then found a seam at the eighth pole and got up for the win. The Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop’s BAK TO LIBERTY completed the Exactor and was unlucky not to get the win; running close to the quick splits of 21.73 and 46.19 he battled on bravely to the wire and just got outrun. Don and Sue Danard’s MAGIC ROAD ran a tremendous race in his debut, closing up four wide in the final turn and understandably got a little tired in the lane and ended a close third.

Race 7 — BC Cup Classic Handicap Stakes

The seventh race of the day was an exciting affair that featured seven top-class older horses to go a mile and a sixteenth in the $50,000 BC Cup Classic. Getting a perfect trip was Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ PORTER GENT (Second in Command – Faidra by Elusive Quality) ($7.90) who settled off of a slow early cadence of 24.02, 47.57 and 1:12.67 and then sprinted home unchallenged in 1:43.64 under Amadeo Perez for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Bryan and Carol Anderson’s AT ATTENTION wasn’t done any favours with the set-up of the race but still charged on in the stretch to get the second spot. Rob VanOverschot’s CHASE THE SUN showed that he could be a force to be reckoned with as he jumped up out of allowance company into a stake and spent most of the journey in the three path, yet still managed to run on to be third.

Race 8 — BC Cup Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap Stakes

The last of the afternoon was the $50,000 BC Cup Hong Kong Jockey Club stakes for three-year-old fillies at a mile and a sixteenth. Winning convincingly at big odds was the WYN Racing Stables KLOEPATRA (Cairo Prince – Kaiserin by Tiznow) ($22.90) who stalked a quick early tempo of 23.63, 46.49 and 1:11.99 under Kimal Santo, who subbed for the injured Scott Williams. The Larry Grieve pupil was well-prepared and ran like the filly we saw two starts back that broke her maiden in classy style. Bryan and Carol Anderson’s AMANDA settled far back off the pace and rallied smartly to get the runner-up spot. John Anderson’s U DID IT missed the break badly which left her in a terrible spot early and was left with too much to do; she was only able to rescue third money.