It was a drama-filled evening at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia on Saturday with a double disqualification in the $75,000 British Columbia Oaks (L) followed by the winner of the $125,000 British Columbia Derby (G3) surviving an inquiry.
In the Oaks, undefeated Chi Chi, trained by Pat Jarvis, was the heavy favorite at odds of 1-5 as the field loaded into the gate. During the loading process, she reared, popped open the front gate, and unseated jockey Kuri Powell. She was eventually scratched, leaving a field of four.
Advertisement
Gee I’m Foxy took over as the favorite at 4-5, breaking sharply under Amadeo Perez and setting fractions of :23.33, :48.13, and 1:13.44 for the first six furlongs. Zenari sat in second, and Someday Lady in third. Princess Fave trailed in fourth.
There was no change in the order until midway through the backstretch, where Zenari was bumped, forcing her to drop into third. Gee I’m Foxy and Someday Lady battled on the turn, with Zenari trying her best to make up ground on the inside. Gee I’m Foxy ultimately held off the challenge Some Day Lady, crossing the finish line first by 1¾ lengths from Someday Lady. Zenari finished third, 4½ lengths behind and Princess Fave finished fourth, never threatening.
Time was 1:51.68 for the 1â…› miles.
After the race, Zenari’s jockey Antonio Reyes claimed foul against Kerron Khelawan, rider of runner-up Someday Lady. Trainer of Someday Lady, Cindy Krasner, then claimed foul against the rider of the winner, Gee I’m Foxy, Amadeo Perez.
Advertisement
Following an almost 12-minute delay, the stewards disqualified Gee I’m Foxy to second and Someday Lady to third, elevating Zenari to the victory.
British Columbia-bred Zenari is a daughter of Counterforce out of the Roar mare Golden Roar and paid $15.40 for the win at odds of 6-1. She’s owned by Wil-A-Way Farm, Jewsbury, Gail, and Pat Jarvis, and now has two wins, two seconds, and one third in nine career starts, earning $52,369. She was purchased for $3,690 at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (British Columbia Division) 2023 Mixed Sale.
Although the British Columbia Derby didn’t go off without its own hitches, it was still less dramatic than the Oaks. Following another lengthy review into two separate incidents involving the respective first and second-place finishers, Rondelito and Accidental Genius, the stewards ruled there would be no change to the order.
Rondelito made a big move on the backstretch, opening up on the field and extending the lead on the far turn. As he hit the top of the stretch, the rest of the field was racing for second. Accidental Genius held off Dancing Porky by a nose for second.
Advertisement
Rondelito, trained by Steve Hanson and ridden by Kimal Santo, won by 3 1/2 lengths to take home the victory.
Scott King, the rider of fifth-place finisher Pioneer Storm King lodged a foul claim against Santo, alleging interference down.the backstretch. Christopher Mamdeen, rider of third-place finisher Dancing Pork claimed foul against jockey Enrique Gonzales, aboard runner-up Accidental Genius, for alleged interference away from the gate. After a review both foul claims were disallowed.
Rondelito, who completed the 1¼ miles in 1:50.30, paid $12.70 for the win at odds of 5-1.
Owned by Lorie Henson, British Columbia-bred Rondelito is a son of Lent out of the Street Sense mare Vandelita, and was purchased for $29,517 at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (British Columbia Division) 2023 Mixed Sale. In nine career starts he has five wins and a third place finish, with earnings of $118,565.
Advertisement
The BC Derby was the final stop for the Western Canadian Derby Series. Attack won the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs following the disqualification of Take Charge Tom, who won the Canadian Derby at Century Mile.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.