Aided by a rapid pace, Gordon Christoff’s Brave Nation grabbed his first stakes win of his career with a late rush to take the Grade 3 BC Premier’s Handicap at Hastings Sept. 29.
The $100,000 race at 1 3/8-miles for 3-year-olds and up had a field of five and it was heavy favourite He’s the Reason who streaked to a long lead early in the race. The Glen Todd owned and trained grey by The Factor went fast, setting fractions of :23.65 and :46.36, 1:11.73 and 1:39.04 for a mile.
Three-year-old Final Jeopardy, owned by Peter Redekop made a strong rush down the backstretch the second time to overtake the fading leader but his move was made too soon and Brave Nation with Antonio Reyes riding, took over in the stretch.
The winner, trained by John Snow, finished 1 1/4 lengths in front in a final time of 2:18 flat over the fast track. Final Jeopardy stayed on for second, with Explode, He’s The Reason, and Calgary Caper completing the order of finish.
Brave Nation, a son of Pioneerof the Nile was second in last year’s Premier’s. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Brave Nation is the fourth foal out of the Pulpit mare Pull Dancer and is a half brother to grade 2 winner Good Samaritan .
More from Nigel Reid’s recap from Hastings on Sunday at Derby Bar & Grill.
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