HorseRacing Central October 24, 2007

RACING’S BIG SHOW READY TO GO

Thoroughbred racing’s autumn extravaganza – the Breeders’ Cup World Championships – takes on a whole new look this year.

For the first time in its 24-year history, the Breeders’ Cup has swelled to 11 races over two days: Friday and Saturday Oct. 26-27, all of which will be carried live at our Racebook simulcast centres at Hastings Racecourse, Fraser Downs, Boulevard Casino, River Rock Casino and other TBC outlets.

The Juvenile Turf, Filly & Mare Sprint and Dirt Mile are three new races that run Friday, beginning at 1:25 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. On Saturday what is termed the ‘Elite Eight’ share the spotlight: the Juvenile Fillies, Juvenile, Filly & Mare Turf, Sprint, Mile, Distaff, Turf and the $5 million Classic that is expected to determine the 2007 Horse of the Year.

Popular analyst Mike Heads took time from his busy Hastings Racecourse schedule to share his Breeders’ Cup knowledge with HorseRacing Central. Following is how Mike sees things shaking down with the ‘Elite Eight” Saturday card. (Pacific Standard Times are shown).

Juvenile Fillies (1 1/16 miles) - 9:30 a.m.

Bob Baffert has a very nice filly in Indian Blessing who’s been very impressive winning stakes races on both the east and west coasts. She will probably be the public’s choice but there is a lot of talent here, including Proud Spell, Cry and Catch Me and Irish Smoke.

Juvenile Colts (1 1/16 miles) - 10:15 a.m.

War Pass will be the likely favourite off his impressive score at the Champagne Stakes at Belmont. Three-time stakes winner Kodiak Kowboy and Futurity winner Tale of Ekati must be respected.

Filly & Mare Turf (1 3/8 miles) - 10:55 a.m.

Undefeated Nashoba’s Key will be the probably favourite as she looks for her eighth consecutive victory but she will have to be at her best against the likes of Honey Ryder and Wait A While. There’s some local flavour here with Arravale owned by Vancouver’s Bob Costigan, Canada’s Sovereign Award winner as 2006 Horse of the Year.

Sprint (6 furlongs) – 11:35 p.m.

Contenders in the shortest race of the day include Midnight Lute, Smokey Stover, Attila’s Storm and Greg’s Gold, returning this year from an 18-month break after having stem-cell surgery to repair a bowed tendon. He’ll be the sentimental choice.

Turf Mile - 12:20 p.m.

Nobiz Like Shobiz was on the Triple Crown trail seven months ago but after a disappointing effort in Kentucky, trainer Barclay Tagg decided to try him on the turf and he’s loved it. However, invaders from Europe usually dominate this race.

Distaff (1 1/8 miles) - 1:05 p.m.

This figures to be a wide-open race and while the field features such notables as Lady Joanne, Lear’s Princess, Octave, Ginger Punch and Balance, there’s a Canadian connection that deserves a look. Bear Now will be saddled by Woodbine’s Reade Baker and ridden by regular jockey Jerry Baird.

Turf (1 ½ miles) - 1:50 p.m.

European invader Dylan Thomas scored a recent victory in the L’Arc de Triomphe and will be lodged as the favourite. Last year’s winner Red Rocks and runner-up Better Talk Now cannot be overlooked.

Classic (1 ¼ miles) - 2:35 p.m.

Talent runs deep in this $5 million feature that brings together a stellar cast headed by this year’s top 3-year-old stars Curlin, Street Sense, Hard Spun and Any Given Saturday. The top older horse, Lawyer Ron, scored an overwhelming win in the Woodward Stakes yet suffered a dramatic loss to Curlin in The Jockey Club Gold Cup. Britain’s George Washington adds even more talent to an areadly star-studded cast.

BREEDERS’ CUP FACTS & FIGURES

The 2007 Breeders’ Cup is a ‘first” for Monmouth Park, the jewel of New Jersey racing that traditionally plays host to a popular summer meeting along the shores of Oceanport.

A maximum of 14 starters are allowed in each Breeders’ Cup race with the exception of the Juvenile Turf, which is limited to 12 starters.

Purses for the three Friday races are $1 million each. The first six races Saturday will be for $2 million purses with the Turf offering $3 million and the Classic at $5 million for a record total of $23 million.

Superfecta wagering was first offered at the Breeders’ Cup in 1997 and attracted a modest $1.5 million in handle on four designated races. Last year the menu expanded to eight superfectas and the handle rocketed to $9.6 million, including $2.7 million on the Classic alone.

The Oak Tree Racing Association will host the 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park on October 24-25, 2008. Santa Anita previously held the Breeders’ Cup in 1986, 1993 and 2003. The 2008 event will mark the seventh time it’s been held in Southern California. Hollywood Park hosted the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984 and held it again in 1987 and 1997.

LOCAL CELEBRITIES HEAD FOR HASTINGS

Pat Quinn, former Canucks’ GM, head coach and player who coached Team Canada in 2002 to our country’s first hockey Olympic Gold Medal in 50 years, will be the guest decorator for Saturday’s $100,000 Fantasy Stakes at Hastings Racecourse. A two-time NHL Coach of the Year (Vancouver, 1992; Philadelphia, 1980), Quinn proudly owns two Memorial Cup rings, one as a player with the Edmonton Oil Kings (1963) and the most recent (2007) as a co-owner of the Vancouver Giants. In 2004, “The Big Irishman” coached Team Canada to victory at the World Cup.

While Quinn is obviously headed for the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Hastings’ guest decorator Sunday for the $100,000 Ascot Graduation will be the legendary Red Robinson, already an inductee in five broadcasting & entertainment Halls of Fame. Red was instrumental in introducing Canada to rock and roll when he was a young disc jockey at CJOR as he worked his way through high school. He is truly a Vancouver icon.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY NOV. 4

The curtain is drawn on live racing at Hastings on Sunday, Nov. 4 and management is thanking fans for their patronage with free live racing programs and a $1 menu that will include coffee, popcorn, soft drinks and hot dogs. Also, everyone on hand Nov. 4 will have a chance to win a Vancouver Sightseeing tour for two, courtesy of LandSea Tour

FUN FRIDAYS AT FRASER DOWNS

It’s catching on in a big way: every Friday is Fun Friday at Fraser Downs with customers having an opportunity to either spin-to-win for cash or merchandise or a chance to scoop all the cash they grab in 30 seconds inside the Money Machine. Entry forms are available at guests services.

Fraser Downs and the BC Standardbred industry will showcase the best B.C. Standardbreds during the annual Breeders Classic Day on Sunday, Nov. 11 when there will be more than $350,000 in purses available. Eliminations for Classic Day are underway now.

DERBY BAR & GRILL SET TO OPEN

Get ready, horse players … The Derby Bar and Grill is thundering down the home stretch with a scheduled opening date of Monday, Dec. 17.

This unique restaurant and off-track wagering complex is located at 17637 1st Avenue in South Surrey at the Pacific Highway Border Crossing. Simulcast racing from major tracks in North America with hours being Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Each Sunday starting in mid-January the Derby Bar and Grill will conduct a handicapping contest with $1,500 in prize money up for grabs.