VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The graded stakes winner Against the Sky will try and get back on track when she drops into a $35,000 optional race at Hastings Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile feature drew eight fillies and mares, and goes as race 6 on the eight race card.
Being a Grade 3 winner with 12 wins and $253,844 in earnings, Against the Sky is long past the first-level allowance conditions attached to the race and will have to run for the price. Trained by Craig MacPherson, Against the Sky is easily the class of the field but she is coming off of two dull performances in the Vancouver Sun and the B.C. Cup Distaff.
She was coming off of a 45-day layoff when she tackled the best fillies and mares on the grounds in the Sun, but she was a short price and figured to easily handle her competition in the restricted Distaff. She had a wide trip, however, and never really got involved in the race.
Against the Sky has won four races at 1 1/8 miles, and none of her rivals have won at the distance. If she rebounds off of her poor effort in the Distaff, she is going to be tough to beat with Dave Wilson riding.
If handicappers shy away from Against the Sky, the horse they could make favorite is a very sharp Rainbowsinthewood. Trained by Rob VanOverschot, Rainbowsinthewood has posted her best Beyer Speed Figures in her last two races. She earned a 66 for her win in a $7,500 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles July 17 and then topped that with a 70 when she just missed in the B.C. Cup Distaff.
Cry Cry Cry is also sharp with four wins in her last five starts.
