HorseRacing Central February 15, 2008

MONASHEE UPDATE

Nobody put it as succinctly as our resident racing analyst Mike Heads when he penned these words: “While Monashee’s days of breath-taking performances on the track are now over, there are still exciting times on the horizon as she heads into her new career.”

The headline in The Daily Race Form said: “Monashee Leaves For Breeding Shed” and went on to explain that the wonderful 6-year-old owned by Ole Nielsen has been retired and sent to Kentucky to be mated with 4-year-old Hard Spun, who earned $2.6 million throughout his 13-race career. Hard Spun won seven races but two of his finest performances were runner-up efforts behind Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby and eventual horse-of-the-year Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The popular theory seems to be that Hard Spun (by Danzig) could prove to be the best of the three in the breeding business. Racing historians point to the famous rivalry of 1978 when affirmed won the majority of races against Alydar but Alydar proved to be the better stallion after both were retired later that year.

Monashee, with 18 wins in 24 starts including 11 consecutive stakes victories, was scheduled to run in the Grade 1 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 9 but she pulled a shoulder muscle while training. “If the race was another week or so away we would have had time,” trainer Tracy McCarthy said. “We didn’t want to run if she wasn’t at the top of her game.”

Monashee’s earnings for Nielsen, McCarthy and Canmor Farms will go into the record books at $693,675.

MAGNIFICENT MARIO RETURNING TO HASTINGS

Active Hastings Racecourse owners Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella were thrilled to hear top jockey Mario Gutierrez tell them during a telephone conversation last week that he would be returning to Vancouver for the 2008 season at Hastings that begins Saturday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, November 2.

Gutierrez swept the jockey standings last year with 134 wins in 493 starts, many of them for the team of Todd & Kinsella and trainer Troy Taylor. After the Hastings meet, Mario went south and made quite an impact on the Golden Gate circuit, winning 36 races in 242 starts and $505,943 in purse earnings.

Gutierrez told Todd he’d be heading back to Vancouver after a brief visit with his family in Mexico.

DERBY BAR AND GRILL A ‘MUST SEE’

Glen Todd’s latest venture – The Derby Bar and Grill – is up and running and a ‘must see’ for racing fans. Located at the Pacific Border Crossing on 1st Avenue off 176th Street, the state-of-the-art simulcast facilities complement the private booths that enable customers to participate in the thrill of off-track betting while enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Put this on your “To Do List”. In typical Glen Todd fashion, it’s strictly first-class.

THREE DATES ADDED AT HASTINGS

In case you missed it, three dates have been added to the 2008 schedule at Hastings Racecourse. “Things are all coming together in a most positive way,” general manager Raj Mutti announced. “We’re pleased that we are expanding our schedule to bring the total of racing dates to 71 for the coming season.”

The additional racing days are September 12, 19 and 26 – all Fridays – with starting times at 2:25 p.m.

IT’S AWARDS TIME!

Both Hastings and Fraser Downs have their annual awards banquets coming up when the cream of the crop from both industries are recognized for their contributions. The Thoroughbred Industry Awards will be staged at the Red Robinson Theatre on Friday, Feb. 29 while the BC Standardbred Industry Awards Night is Saturday, March 1 at Newlands Golf and Country Club.

We’ll have all the updated information in our next HorseRacing Central edition, including the latest Hall of Fame inductees.

For tickets to the Thoroughbred Industry Awards please call Cristan Gossen @ 604-251-0406 or email cgossen@hastingsracecourse.com

‘THINKING PINK’ AT FRASER DOWNS

Ten of North America’s finest female harness drivers will be making special guest appearances at Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino on Sunday, March 2 as part of Ladies Day: Harness the Hope in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Two live races will be reserved exclusively for the ladies participating in the Mildred Williams International Driving Series and at the completion of the matinee card, fans will be invited to walk the inner track at Fraser Downs in a show of support of breast cancer research.

Each patron who contributes $50 for a special Clubhouse Buffet will receive a complimentary pink umbrella. Rain or shine, fans will be encouraged to “spread the word” by “spreading” their umbrellas during their late-afternoon journey around the inner track.

“We’re going to make this an event to remember,” says Fraser Downs general manager Scott Sinclair. “Our 10 participating lady drivers have volunteered their time and will donate their total earnings to breast cancer research. We can’t thank them enough.”

FAST TRACKING …

The Magna Five Saturday, Feb. 16 has a carry-over of $265,000 and this will be added to the $500,000 guarantee. The first Magna Five race goes at 1:39 p.m. from Laurel, the 10th race. They will also use the 4th and 5th from Santa Anita and the 9th and 10th from Gulfstream … The 100 ways to find yourself in the Driver Seat Contest continues at Fraser Downs through March 15 with the grand prize being a 2008 Chevy Cobalt … The California Dreamin Handicapping contest continues every Saturday until March 8. Weekly winners will square off in a one-day final to see who will be crowned champion and win a trip to the Santa Anita Derby … Fraser hosts another popular Slots Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 20. See guest services for more information … Hastings Racecourse is now offering a free shuttle bus service seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check the Hastings website for times.