MacPherson Has Formidable Duo in B.C. Derby

Craig MacPherson, leading the trainer standings at Hastings Racecourse, sends out a formidable duo in Reporting Star and Bluegrass Pride for the $150,000 British Columbia Derby (Can-III) Sept. 8 at the Vancouver track.



The B.C. Derby, at 1 1/8 miles over Hastings' 5 1/2-furlong bullring, is one of six stakes events on the 10-race card that includes the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks immediately before the headliner. The B.C. Derby is the ninth race on the program with a 5:10 p.m. PDT scheduled post.



Reporting Star was runner-up to Broadway Empire in the Canadian Derby (Can-III) Aug. 17 for MacPherson, who leads Troy Taylor in victories at the current Hastings meet, 31-29, through Sept. 4. His other entrant, Bluegrass Pride, comes off a victory in the Richmond Derby Trial Handicap Aug. 18 over the local track.



All but one of the 10 sophomore colts and geldings entered in the B.C. Derby comes out of either the Canadian Derby or the Richmond Derby Trial Handicap.



Owned by Copper Water Thoroughbred Co., Reporting Star was added to the MacPherson barn prior to the Canadian Derby after racing in Florida and New Jersey for trainer Kathleen O'Connell. The Florida-bred gelded son of Circular Quay   was second in both the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) and Jersey Derby on turf at Monmouth Park prior to shipping to Canada and running second again.



Reporting Star finished three lengths behind Broadway Empire while a clear runner-up in the 1 3/8-mile Canadian Derby. He came from far back on a sloppy Northlands Park surface for Richard Hamel while never threatening the winner.



Enrique A. Gonzalez takes the mount this time from post 6. Reporting Star has just a maiden win from 10 lifetime starts, but has seven other placings and earnings of $159,492 to lead the field.



Bluegrass Pride, breaking from one stall to the outside of Reporting Star for owner L D S Enterprises, tallied by three-quarters of a length in the Richmond Derby trial, defeating five opponents. The Pennsylvania-bred son of Bluegrass Cat   rallied three wide after being squeezed early to register his third win from six starts at Hastings. Hamel retains the mount on the chestnut gelding.



Also exiting the Canadian Derby is third-place finisher Shooting Jacket, one of two in the field for Swift Thoroughbreds and trainer Dino Condilenios. Their other entrant is fifth-place Richmond trial finisher Modern.



Shooting Jacket, who drew the rail, is a Kentucky-bred gelding by Hard Spun   who finished 6 1/2 lengths behind Shooting Star in the Canadian Derby after a belated rally. After racing as a maiden 2-year-old in England last year, Shooting Jacket won two of three starts this season at Hastings including the Chris Loseth Handicap July 1. Scott Williams, who was tied for second in the Hastings standings through Sept. 4, is the regular rider for Shooting Jacket.



Modern, a son of Tiznow   bred in Kentucky by Darley, set the pace last time out before weakening to be beaten by three lengths.



Taylor, engaged in a good battle for the training title with MacPherson, has a couple of entrants as well, both owned by the North American Thoroughbred Horse Co. He sends out Success Rate, who backed up readily to be ninth in the Canadian Derby after setting the early pace, for the first time. He will also saddle outsider Leo's in the House, sixth in a Hastings allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs after tracking the pace Aug. 18.



Ohio Derby (gr. III) winner Title Contender, who looks to rebound from a tiring 11th-place effort in the Canadian Derby after a wide trip, and locally-bred Go for Guinness, who finished fourth in the Richmond trial as the 4-5 favorite after pressing the leader, also merit consideration. Leading Hastings rider Amadeo Perez takes the call on Go for Guinness.



Tracker, to be ridden by Mario Gutierrez, was a good closing second in the Richmond trial, three-quarters of a length behind Bluegrass Pride. Also coming out of the race is third-place finisher Hopeseeker, beaten by two lengths in his third lifetime start.



$150,000 British Columbia Derby (Can-III, Race 9, 5:10 p.m.), 3YOs, 1 1/8 Miles

PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer

1. Shooting Jacket (KY), S Williams, D K Condilenios

2. Hopeseeker (ON), A A Reyes, C Lausten

3. Tracker (BC), M Gutierrez, B Heads

4. Modern (KY), F P Fuentes, D K Condilenios

5. Title Contender (KY), R W Walcott, A Bolton

6. Reporting Star (FL), E A Gonzalez, C MacPherson

7. Bluegrass Pride (PA), R H Hamel, C MacPherson

8. Go for Guinness (BC), A Perez, D Forster

9. Leo's in the House (KY), R V Skelly, T Taylor

10. Success Rate (FL), A T Gryder, T Taylor

All carry 126 pounds.