Vancouver, B.C. (May 21/18) – The security guard at the gate leading into the paddock area swears she saw the glistening statue of the great George Royal make eye contact with active eight-year-old champion Modern prior to Monday’s fifth race at Hastings Racecourse.

Modern, owned by Swift Thoroughbreds and trained by Dino Condilenios, was going for his fourth straight win in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes, named after the finest B.C.-bred of all-time.

Imaginary eye contact or not, that incredible streak would come to an end on this sun-drenched Victoria Day holiday when favourite Blue Law gave notice there is a new sheriff in town with his second consecutive impressive sprint stakes victory under the guidance of jockey Amadeo Perez.

Trained by Cindy Krasner for owner Tim Bankers, Blue Law was locked and loaded entering the stretch and won by a length in front of a charging Bistraya in a final time of 1:17.33. Modern, named 2017 Champion Older Male and Champion Sprinter, was overtaken entering the stretch and finished a game third.

Blue Law’s connections were also celebrating in the winner’s circle following the Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural on April 22. Krasner said after Monday’s win that Blue Law’s next start would be the 1 1/16th mile $50,000John Longden 6000 on June 17.

There wasn’t as much drama in the afternoon’s co-feature when heavy favourite Alliford Bay darted to a three-length victory in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares in a final time of 1.17:22.   “Every time I touched her with the stick she responded,” jockey Rico Walcott beamed.

Alliford Bay was coming off an equally impressive win in the April 22 Brighouse Belles with Walcott up for trainer Blaine Wright and owner Peter Redekop.  “We’re having lots of fun,” Redekop said during the exchange of high-fives in the winner’s circle.  “This is why we’re in the business.”

The ‘business’ resumes Saturday and Sunday at Hastings Racecourse with the regular 1:50 p.m. start times.

 

For further information:

 

Darren MacDonald

dmacdonald@hastingsracecourse.com