by Tim Nichols

Krazy Koffee made his graded stakes debut a winning one on Sunday as he closed with a rush to capture the $304,768 British Columbia Derby (Can-G3) at Hastings Race Course.

The three-year-old Regal Intention gelding swept five wide around the final turn and seized the lead in early stretch before notching a one length victory under David Wilson. He completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.95 on a track rated as fast.

The win marked fifth straight for Krazy Koffee. Butch Goertzen’s British Columbia homebred has not been defeated since finishing fourth in the Jim Coleman Province Stakes on May 18 at Hastings.

The 3.35-to-1 second-betting choice settled near the back of the field in seventh and maintained that position as pacesetter Fear No Evil clipped off brisk fractions of :23.05, :47.30, and 1:11.87 through six furlongs.

Wilson gave Krazy Koffee his cue entering the stretch and the gelding found another gear on the final turn where Wink At the Girls gained command. After driving past five horses in early stretch, Krazy Koffee zeroed in on that foe.

Wink At the Girls was no match for the rapidly accelerating Krazy Koffee, who easily overhauled him and had plenty left in reserve to score the win.

Wink At the Girls held on for second, one length ahead of 1.25-to-1 favorite and third-place finisher Texas Wildcatter.

Trained by Cindy Krasner, Krazy Koffee improved to seven wins in ten career starts, all at Hastings, and increased his earnings to $332,599.

Krazy Koffee is out of the winning Skywalker mare Sky West.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Tim Nichols is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY assistant editor