Christmas Comes Early For Hastings Connections

December 19, 2006

Owners Bob Cheema and K. K. Sangara as well as trainer Terry Jordan brought national attention to Hastings Racecourse with well-deserved recognition as 2006 Sovereign Awards winners in Toronto last weekend.

True Metropolitan, winner of seven stakes races in western Canada before scoring a four-length victory at the Woodbine Slots Cup (G3), was named Champion Older Male in the Sovereign voting and finished second to Arravale in the Horse of the Year category.

True Metropolitan had earnings of $402,340 for the owner/trainer team of Cheema and Jordan.

K. K. Sangara’s Financingavailable was named Champion Older Female after winning five stakes races for earnings of $490,000. Trained by former Hastings handler Lorne Richards, Financingavailable won at distances ranging from 7 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles and never finished worse than second in eight starts.

Winners of Sovereign Awards received trophies depicting St. Simon, an undefeated colt who raced in England in the 1880’s and then went on to an illustrious career at stud.

Hastings Racecourse customers will be able to wager directly into the Santa Anita and Golden Gate pools beginning Thursday, Dec. 28. Both tracks will welcome Canadians to match the bet minimums which include the $2 CDN wager for the Pick 6 pools.

Hastings management extends warm holiday wishes to all thoroughbred racing fans.

For Media & Entertainment Inquiries: Howard Blank @ 604.303.1000