HorseRacing Central December 12, 2008

BEST IN THE WEST AT FRASER DOWNS

Local drivers Bill Davis, Scott Knight and Jim Marino will be carrying the torch for British Columbia Saturday at Fraser Downs in the Western Regional Driving Championship. Race Secretary Jackson Wittup has put together a variety of classes over eight designated races from $4,000 to $17,500 claimers.

Sponsored by Standardbred Canada, the winner of this Western Regional showdown advances to the 2009 National Driving Championship to be held for the first time ever at Fraser Downs … jot down the date: Saturday, March 21.

Davis, Knight and Marino are quite aware they are up against the ‘best in the west’ in Saturday’s competition with Keith Clark, Kelly Hoerdt and Gerry Hudon representing Alberta; Darryl Mason from Manitoba and Glenn LeDrew from Saskatchewan.

Finalists for the National Championship have already been determined in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. The eventual Canadianwinner goes to Norway for the World Driving Championship as part of the World Trotting Conference scheduled for May 14-20, 2009.

First race at Fraser Saturday goes at 1:15 p.m. with the championship races designated for races 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

BC HPI $7500 HARNESS POOL

After two weeks the leader of the BC HPI $7500 Harness Pool is Chuck Kole with 28 points. Right on his heels are Bonnie Matsalla and Matt Jordan, tied with 27 points and four others are tied with 25: Cathy Jones, Ed Babysh, Leonard Debad and Hugh MacLellan. The contest runs through until Saturday, Jan. 3.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH T.W.

Scott Knight will be featured on Tommy Wolski’s “Sport of Kings” television show at 11 a.m. on Citytv Saturday. Fans will also get a chance to relive last week’s spectacular performance by trainer/driver Rod Therres when he won three of four BC Sales Stakes Finals, clicking with Primary Purpose, Royal Morn and Sugar Mountain.

TODD & KINSELLA KEEPING ACTIVE

Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, leading owners at Hastings Racecourse for the past two years, are keeping all-star trainer Troy Taylor busy these days in thoroughbred circles south of the border. They had four horses running at Portland but had Akickatthekat and In Vogue claimed, leaving Chianti Dancer and Deputy Allstar at Portland Meadows.
Four Todd/Kinsella Hastings regulars will be at Santa Anita when the season resumes on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. The foursome includes Texas Wildcatter, Winter Warning, Summer Song and Shintaro.

HOLIDAY CASH COMING UP

The winner must be in attendance at the Hastings Gaming Floor on Thursday, Dec. 18 when the Grand Prize Draw of $5,000 is made at precisely 8 p.m.

Also, any lucky patron who wins a jackpot over $250 will receive a ballot to enter the Canucks Jackpot that includes two VIP tickets to the Canucks-Chicago game on Dec. 20, limousine service to GM Place and dinner for two at the Dark Horse Lounge. The draw for this major prize will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.