While the clouds overhead blocked the sun, producing afternoon temperatures in the 18°C to 19°C range and they certainly looked very threatening, not a drop of rain fell, resulting in near perfect weather conditions for the equine athletes and their jockeys contesting the day’s races.
The racing surface, expertly prepared by the Hastings Track Crew, played fair for all without a detectable bias to certain running styles.
The winners of the two CTHS Sales Stakes, U Did It and Mount Asgard, who were sent off by the patrons as the betting favorites, interestingly sold one after the other as Hip 54 (U Did It $1,500) and Hip 55 (Mount Asgard $18,000) at last year’s CTHS September Sale. Who saw that coming?
U Did It Gets It Done (Again)
The 2nd race of the day, the 50K CTHS Sales Stake for two-year-old fillies who were graduates of last year’s September sale, was won impressively in a relaxed hand ride fashion by John Anderson’s big, good looking two-year-old bay filly U Did It (2.40, 2.10).
Regular rider Antonio Reyes went right to the front with U Did It and never looked back, widening the margin over the rest of the field at each point of call, finishing 4 ¾ lengths in front of Sapphire Stables’ game Shamra who was 7 ¼ lengths clear of Conrad Rozenek’s Marys Tappin Shoes who held the show.
For the brilliant, undefeated U Did It, the victory was the third of her young career and her first stakes score. U Did It was masterfully brought along by her trainer Edgar Mendoza, who is assisted by Christine Ammann. The winning groom, who had her charge looking fantastic today, is the very capable Alyssa Derkson.
U Did It is by Teide out of Architecture by Dixie Chatter and was bred in Supernatural British Columbia by her assistant trainer Christine Ammann.
The running time for the 6 ½ furlongs was a very rapid 1:18.77 (half a second faster than the Sales Stake for the boys, 5th on the card).
It must be noted that U Did It, who earned $32,500 for today’s victory, was offered as hip # 54 at last year’s CTHS September Sale and was astutely purchased by Lisa Anderson for the basement bargain price of $1,500.
The 2021 CTHS B.C. Sale will be held on Tuesday, September 14th at Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, starting at 3:00 PM.
Mount Asgard Peaks at the Right Time
The penultimate contest of the day, the 50,000 CTHS Sales Stake for two-year-old colts and geldings, went to Willow Creek Farms’ big, handsome dark bay gelding Mount Asgard (4.40, 2.50, 2.10).
Breaking from the eight post, regular rider Alexander Marti was able to summon up enough horse to cross in front of the field by the clubhouse turn a length back of the leading Just Jimmy. Content to remain in a stalking position, Marti commenced his move in the three path at the far turn, eventually collaring Just Jimmy at the top of the home stretch. From there it was a two horse Battle Royale with riders and horses giving all they had down the lane to the wire. The ultimate victor remained in doubt until the last several strides when Mount Asgard was able to get a short neck in front of Donald Tetarenko’s gallant, tenacious Just Jimmy to claim the $27,500 lion’s share of the Stakes Purse. Adam Isfeld’s Itsmyday closed up well to claim the show position.
Mount Asgard is conditioned by veteran trainer Steve Henson who is assisted by his son Robbie Henson. The groom responsible for Mount Asgard’s daily care and the great shine on his coat is Jordanne Hansen (that’s Hansen not Henson).
Mount Asgard is by Sky Mesa out of A Song for Arbonne by Arch and was bred in Super Fabulous British Columbia by Black Canyon Thoroughbreds LTD.
Mount Asgard, who is now a perfect 2 for 2, was wisely purchased in last year’s CTHS September Sale for $18,000 by his owners Willow Creek Farms, who are having an absolutely fantastic season.
The running time for the 6 ½ furlongs was a decent 1:19.33.
Highlights
- Jockey Silvino Morales wins three.
- U Did It wins the 2-year-old fillies CTHS Sales Stake.
- Mount Asgard wins the 2-year-old colts and geldings CTHS Sales Stake.
- Christine Ammann and Edgar Mendoza score a combination trainer/assistant double.
- Christine Ammann gets a breeder double.
- B.C. bred horses win 5 out of 6 races.
- The Pick 5 carryover heading into Tuesday’s card is $432,053.
- The mutuel handle on the 6-race card was $420,647.
Leaders
After 31 days of racing, in accordance with statistics provided by Equibase, the Leaderboard looks like this:
Owners:
North American Thoroughbred Horse Company continues in first place with 15 scores, closely followed by Willow Creek Farms with 14 wins and Russell J. and Lois Bennett are third with 12 victories.
Jockeys:
Efrain Hernandez and Antonio Reyes are tied with 46 trips to the winner’s circle each, followed by Alexander Marti with 32 wins.
Trainers:
Barbara Heads leads with 26 wins. Steve Henson is next with 23 victories, and Glen Todd is in third place with 16 wins.
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