VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Juan Olmos owned and trained the top 2-year-old in British Columbia in both 2008 and 2009. He could have another good one in Tlaquepaque, who figures to be one of the favorites in the $50,000 New Westminster at Hastings Thursday. The 6 1/2-furlong dash drew eight horses and goes as the seventh race.
Also on the eight-race card, which begins at 6:40 p.m., is the $50,000 Lassie for 2-year-old fillies. The races are the first open stakes for 2-year-olds at Hastings this year.
Sent off as a lukewarm favorite when he debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race June 18, Tlaquepaque scored an easy 7 3/4-length win over his stablemate La Bronca, who is entered in the Lassie. If his recent works are any indication Tlaquepaque could be hard to handle Thursday. His most impressive move was a bullet five-furlong move in 59.60 seconds Aug. 10. He also looked sharp when he posted another bullet for five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Aug. 18.
Amadeo Perez retains the mount, and it is very likely he will be urging Tlaquepaque to take the lead if he breaks alertly from post 7.
Mr. Collaborator was also a sharp winner when he debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race July 24. Trained by Troy Taylor, Mr. Collaborator was a $22,000 purchase by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella at Keeneland last September.
Hornblower, trained by Dino Condilenios, has the pedigree to be a top horse and could be dangerous from a stalking position. A half-brother to Grade 2 winner Spice Island, who earned over $480,000, Hornblower came from slightly off the pace to win a maiden special weight race going six furlongs in his second start June 19. He finished second to Northlands Park stakes winner Mr. Instigator when he debuted in at 3 1/2 furlong May 9.
Lookout Dubai showed a lot of promise when he won his debut going six furlongs in a maiden special weight race Aug. 8.
The Lassie looks like a match race between Overvalued and Victory With Class.
Overvalued, trained by Tracy McCarthy, scored a front-running win over colts and geldings when she debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight race July 18.
Victory With Class is undefeated in two starts for trainer Terry Clyde, and she is coming off of an easy win over Embankment in the $53,000 B.C. Cup Debutante Aug. 2.
