Familiar foes battle in Ballerina

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – One of the most exciting races at Hastings this year was the $50,000 Delta Colleen, in which Reginella appeared to be home and cooled out in midstretch but then had to withstand a furious rush from Notis the Jewell to win by a nose. They will renew acquaintances in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina on Monday.

The 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares drew a solid field of seven, each carrying 123 pounds. Reginella and Notis the Jewell are the ones to beat, but Victress and Top Quality also have big shots, and two-time Ballerina winner Touching Promise is capable of winning with her best stuff.

Reginella, trained by Blaine Wright, is going for the hat trick, and if successful, she will receive a $25,000 bonus for a sweep that includes the Ballerina and the $50,000 Distaff at Emerald Downs. She was more impressive when she sat just off the speed in the Distaff, also at 1 1/8 miles, but she could take a big step forward in her second try going around three turns. In her desperate win in the Delta Colleen, she set a moderate pace while being ridden by Rico Walcott for the first time.

“She can go either way, so l’ll leave it up to Rico to ride her the way he wants,” Wright said.

Wright also trains Top Quality, who finished second in the Distaff and third in the Ballerina. In both races, she appeared to be making winning moves on the stretch turn but hung. Aaron Gryder, who rode her in the Ballerina, retains the mount.

“A mile and an eighth seems just a bit too far for her, so I’ll be instructing Aaron to sit off the pace and wait a little longer before turning her loose,” Wright said. “They are both doing well, and hopefully we can end the year on the right note.”

Wright will be on vacation in Mexico when the race is run. Local trainer John Snow will saddle the two.

“John has done a great job overseeing their training at Hastings,” Wright said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Reginella, by Ministers Wild Cat Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-78

◗ She’s versatile and could take a big step forward in her second start over the local surface. Notis the Jewell, by Stephanotis Last 3 Beyers: 75-72-67

◗ She improved last fall when she won the Ballerina and again appears to be heading upward for trainer Larry Fielding.

Victress, by Include Last 3 Beyers: 74-72-85

◗ Trained by Rob Gilker, the deep closer rallied to win the $50,000 Monashee the last time she ran at Hastings and is coming off a solid runnerup finish in the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff on Aug. 25.

Top Quality, by Quality Road Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-84

◗ She won the Strawberry Morn here and the Boeing at Emerald, both at 1 1/16 miles, and looked like the winner before hanging in the Distaff and Delta Colleen.