Favored No Hesitation extended his winning streak to five races with his first graded stakes success in the $286,050 Canadian Derby (Can-III) at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Aug. 21.
Trained by Jim Meyaard for owner Barbara Side, the California-bred son of Siberian Summer--Fancee Bargain, by Candi's Gold was ridden to a 1 1/2-length victory once again by Rico Walcott. The gray/roan colt defeated Kara's Orientation, with California invader Distorted Dave a distant third. The winning time for the 1 3/8-mile journey was 2:23 2/5 on a fast track over the 5 1/2-furlong oval.
The race had a three-horse spill caused when Professor Pollard, ridden by Anthony Salgado, clipped heels and fell near the half-mile pole. Dyna Stroll and Stachys also fell went down after colliding with the fallen horse.
None of the horses involved in the accident appeared to be seriously hurt, according to the track. Meyaard, who also saddled Professor Pollard, said he would know more details of Professor Pollard's condition in the next few days.
"He seems to be traveling fine. He is skinned up," he said.
Third for the opening six furlongs while racing close on the outside, No Hesitation took the lead on the backstretch and outfought 6-1 Kara's Orientation, ridden by Emile Ramsammy, for the win. It was nearly 12 lengths back to third-place finisher Distorted Dave, who had Pedro Alvarado aboard.
Gold Winner finished fourth, followed by Judge Brew, Ranger Heartley and Gold Medallion.
Ranger Heartley, pressed by Gold Medallion, carved fractions of :24 2/5, 1:14 and 1:40 3/5.
"I saw the start of it (the accident) and he (Professor Pollard) clipped heels," said Ramsammy. "(Salgado) misjudged it. I was just to the outside of it."
As for the rest of the race, No Hesitation proved he is the leading contender for Horse of the Year in Alberta.
"I thought I had him with two and a half furlongs left," said Ramsammy. "But he is a horse for the course."
No Hesitation has rattled off all his recent victories at Northlands, the past four coming in stakes company. He has won six of seven races with one third on the track in his career. No Hesitation won the 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum Handicap by two lengths on a track labeled good in his most recent start July 31.
He earned $171,630 for the Canadian Derby victory, boosting his career total to $282,181. A $30,000 Barretts Equine January 2009 mixed sale buy, No Hesitation has won six of eight starts with one second and one third. Leinad G. Garner bred the winner.
No Hesitation paid $4.70, $3.60, and $2.90 and topped a $25 exacta with Kara's Orientation, who returned $5.80 and $4.60. Distorted Dave paid $5.20 to show.