VANCOUVER, British Columbia – It is tough to separate the seven horses entered in a $25,000 claiming race that will serve as Thursday’s feature at Hastings. See Eye to Eye could end up being the lukewarm favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, which goes as race 7 on the eight-race card which begins at 6:40 p.m.
Trained by Frank Barroby, See Eye to Eye is coming off of a fast-closing third behind a very tough Classic Alley Kat in a $35,000 optional race Aug. 25 and she won’t mind the move to a middle distance. In six starts at 1 1/16 miles See Eye to Eye has compiled a solid record of 2-1-2. The only time she has finished out of the money going the distance is when she tried stakes horses in the Strawberry Morn July 17.
See Eye to Eye has been a gem of consistency since she arrived at Hastings this spring, winning three races and finishing third three times from seven starts. She has tactical speed and should be able to sit off of what figures to be a fast pace set by Include the Grand.
Amadeo Perez retains the mount.
Trained by Dave Milburn, Include the Grand is looking for her first win this year and could get it with the drop to a new low at the meet. Last year she was able to carry her speed all the way four times and she almost stole the $50,000 Delta Coleen but was run down by Blue Sky Holiday and Summer Song in the last sixteenth and finished third. She set blistering fractions going 1 1/8 miles before tiring to finish fifth in a $32,000 optional race Aug. 14 and if Pedro Alvarado can get her to settle early she could be gone.
Rainbowsinthewood has improved dramatically in her last couple of starts and will likely be one of the favorites. Trained by Rob VanOverschot, Rainbowsinthewood went from winning a $7,500 claiming race July 17 to finishing second by a nose to Wind Storm in the $54,000 B.C. Cup Distaff Aug. 2. She came back with another solid effort in the same race Include the Grand exits, finishing third.
Against the Sky, the local champion older female in 2008, will be trying to salvage her season. She has failed to finish in the top three in four starts this year and maybe the switch to leading rider Fernando Perez will help her get back on track.
