Distance Test for Alert Bay in BC Premier's

Much the best in the British Columbia Derby (Can-III) last time out, Alert Bay steps in against older horses for the first time in the $100,000 British Columbia Premier's Handicap (Can-III) Oct. 13 at Hastings Racecourse.



The BC Premier's is the seventh on a special eight-race Thanksgiving Day (Canada) program at the Vancouver track, with a 4:50 p.m. PT scheduled post. Also on the card is the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes (Can-III) for fillies and mares, which is two races earlier.



In spite of facing older horses, Alert Bay was assigned top weight of 119 pounds in the 1 3/8-mile Premier's, a quarter of a mile longer than the son of City Zip   has ever tried. He won the 1 1/8-mile B.C. Derby Sept. 14 by two lengths as the 3-2 choice after opening a big lead and coasting home over the late-running Koffee Grinder, who also is in Monday's field.



Alert Bay, owned by Peter Redekop, previously raced in California for trainer Blaine Wright and was making his first start over the bullring for trainer Anita Bolton, who has a 35% strike rate at the Hastings meet. Rico Walcott, who was aboard the gelding last time, gets the call once again. They drew post 7 in the field of nine.



The challengers are led by Emerald Downs shipper Mr. Bowling, trained at Hastings by Troy Taylor for owner Mark Dedomenico and partner N.A.T.H.C. A 5-year-old son of Istan  , Mr. Bowling comes off a stalking one-length victory in the S. W. Randall Plate Handicap at 1 1/8 miles Sept. 14 at Hastings.



The dark bay horse also won the Lt. Governor's Handicap at Hastings July 1, where he is 2-for-2 in his career. Mario Gutierrez has the return assignment on Mr. Bowling, who has the rail.



Taylor also entered Prohibition for Dedomenico and N.A.T.C. as the 4-year-old Lawyer Ron gelding looks to rebound from a seventh in the Longacres Mile (gr. III) at Emerald Downs Aug. 24. Alex Bisono takes the call on the New York-bred Prohibition, who previously raced on the East Coast and has won six of 18 lifetime starts.



Deadly Truth has a win at the 1 3/8-mile distance, taking the listed Speed to Spare Stakes at Northlands Park  Sept. 1. Owned by Derby Quest Farms and Shot in the Dark Racing, the Louisiana-bred 4-year-old Bold Truth   gelding makes his first appearance at Hastings for trainer Greg Tracy.



Mysterious Soul, Wilo Kat, and Shooting Jacket, second, third, and fifth, respectively, in the Randall Plate last time, also return for another shot in Monday's test.