In what was a big weekend of racing at Hastings for the CTHS, as well as for local breeders, HERE’S HANNAH, the reigning monarch of the East Vancouver oval, once again treated fans to an authoritative display of tenacity and class to bat aside a field of would-be pretenders to her crown.

What a remarkable filly she is and what an extraordinary amount of pleasure she has given us since she strolled to a six-and-half length Maiden Special Weight win back in August 2017.

Since then, the daughter of Canmor Farm-based stallion NUMAANY (A. P. Indy) has won 14 of her 17 races and bagged a Sovereign Award along the road to racing immortality.

Her victory on Sunday, under the expert hands of Scott Williams, was arguably the best performance of the season for the chestnut, as she first saw off SOLARITY (Sungold) before turning back the challenge of Stakes winner, and the second Barb Heads’ runner, SUNBURST (Sungold).

Here’s Hannah was one of 11 BC-bred winners across a weekend that also featured four valuable CTHS Stakes races restricted to graduates of the CTHS Yearling and Mixed Sale. It was reassuring to see all four legs fall to BC-bred horses despite the races being open to all horses that passed through the ring.

The two juvenile legs of the CTHS races went to progeny by the Stone Ridge Farms’ stallion BAKKEN (Distorted Humor) who, along with fellow BC-based young sire LENT (Pulpit), is enjoying an excellent year.

The two-year-old fillies’ leg of the CTHS Sales Stakes quartet of contests went to the Elton Gunther-bred MI REYNA, while the colts’ version fell to the Dittloff-bred DAD’S LEGACY. Already the winner of the $40,000 Canadian Juvenile Stakes at Century Mile, Riversedge Racing’s colt was in town representing successful Alberta trainer, Tim Rycroft.

Glen Todd and his powerful North American Thoroughbred Horse Company outfit took the first of the four valuable CTHS races with the Mr and Mrs David Pihl-bred NORTHERN GRAYSTAR (Graydar), while the final $50,000 CTHS event was landed by Peter Redekop’s smart filly AT ATTENTION (Shanghai Bobby) for trainer Dino Condilenios, rider Amadeo Perez and breeders Bryan and Carol Anderson.

Lent’s fine season continued through the speedy TORINO GRAND, who took a hot-looking $8,000 claiming contest on CTHS Day for trainer Craig MacPherson, owner Ed Claggett, breeder Helen Klimes and rider Amadeo Perez. DAT DAY (New Year’s Day) finished second, thus securing the Exacta for his trainer.

For Perez, Torino Grand was the first leg of a three-timer (he also rode Dad’s Legacy and At Attention) and yet he was still eclipsed over the weekend by Alex Marti who, following a blank CTHS Day, got busy in a hurry on Sunday, punching home five winners on an afternoon that also saw Scott Williams bag a hat-trick.
   
Marti’s superb five-timer included the BC-bred CTHS graduates GIFTED GREY (Finality), NOTICE (Stephanotis) and AVE’S IN COMMAND (Second in Command), the last of which capped an afternoon to remember for his rider. Marti landed the final three races of the afternoon, all from the number five gate, and had one of those days that come more often in dreams than on a racetrack.

Bred by James Redekop, Ave’s in Command’s win was a second on the day for popular trainer John Morrison following Here’s Hannah.

The redoubtable SQUARE DANCER (Circular Quay), now a gnarly, street-fighting ten-year-old, gave Hastings’ Racing Club members an exciting afternoon by landing his 12th win of a 57-race career. The longevity of his career remains a glowing testament to the skills of his trainer Steve Henson, who also saddled the winning BC-bred juvenile WE BE THREE (Teide) to notch a double on Sunday.

In addition to doubles for Morrison and Henson, there were also two wins apiece for Glen Todd and Milton Palma  - his BC-bred RUGGED BEAUTY (Shrug) capping a double for breeder Helen Klimes.

Racing resumes on Thursday evening with the season already coming to an end after this most truncated of years. There will again be eight races, with a $35,000 claiming contest that includes the BC-bred STAY FANTASTIC (Stay Thirsty) as the likely favourite.