HorseRacing Central January 30, 2009

2009 HASTINGS SCHEDULE SET

Hastings Racecourse general manager Raj Mutti refers to it as an “aggressive” schedule and when you break it down, you’ll know what he means. For starters, the 2009 thoroughbred season has been increased to 76 racing dates with an earlier start: Saturday, April 18 at 1:25 p.m. That’s also the day some lucky fan will win tickets for two to this year’s Breeder’s Cup at Santa Anita.

Mutti notes that major festive-style events are planned around some of the most exciting stakes races of the year on Canada Day (July 1), B.C. Cup weekend (August 3), Labour Day (September 7) and the annual highlight of the Hastings season: B.C. Oaks and B.C. Derby weekend September 26-27. “Throughout the season we’ll be staging 41 stakes races offering more than $2.5 million in purse money,” Mutti says. “The B.C. Derby will now have a purse of $300,000, up from $250,000.”

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE

The popular Friday Night Live cards have been increased to 16, running through June to September. With the new gaming floor (600 slot machines), lounge and dining facilities at Hastings, Friday Night Live has developed into a full-out entertainment package for a younger demographic that’s recently been introduced to thoroughbred racing. There have also been two Wednesday night dates added: August 26 and September 2. Interesting to note that three weekends from the racing schedule have been eliminated during the Fair at the PNE. (See the complete 76-race day schedule attached).

DRF/NTRA HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE

A total of 302 contestants took part in the contest last weekend in Las Vegas and our four Hastings Racecourse qualifiers were led by Sylvia Christensen. She got off to a great start with $110 in mythical money on the first day but things got a whole lot tougher and Sylvia had to be happy with finishing 112th overall. The winner was John Conte from New York. We congratulate Syliva, Albert Wong, Al Harrison and Ken Bell, as well as Vancouver resident Tony Baker who qualified at Northlands Park in Edmonton.


OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

EAST COAST

Gulfstream Park will be the hub of activity this weekend with the Grade 1 $500,000 Donn Handicap heading the Saturday program. Einstein (Julien Leparoux) is back in action on the dirt after being voted runner-up in the Eclipse awards for top older turf runner. Einstein faces Albertus Maximus, who makes his first start out of California. The $150,000 Holy Bull for 3-year-olds is also on the card with Bear’s Rocket from the Bear Stables one of the hopefuls.

Also of note on Saturday is the debut of Audeamus out of the 2003 Sadie Diamond Futurity winner Beautiful Stranger, owned by Jeff Sengara and trained by Dino Condilenios.

On Sunday in Southern Florida the feature is the Gulfstream Park for older turf horses going nine furlongs. It’s quite a lineup with Hollywood Derby winner Court Vision making his first start as a 4-year-old against the likes of Red Rocks (former Breeder’s Cup Turf winner) and Kip Deville (runner-up to the brilliant filly Goldikova in the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile.

WEST COAST

The rivalry between Ventura and Indian Blessing will resume Saturday in the $300,000 Grade 1 Santa Monica. Ventura (Garrett Gomez) got the better of Indian Blessing in the Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. At Golden Gate on Saturday track record holder at a mile (1:35.80) Trick Of The North makes his return in a $25,000 claiming event. He’ll face Evaluate, a recent private purchase by owner/trainer Terry Clyde. Then on Sunday at Golden Gate both Diamond Berries (owned by Leif Nordahl) and Galahad (owned by R.J. and Lois Bennett) will be heavily backed to win in their respective races.

Editor’s Note: Most tracks will be racing Sunday earlier than normal because of the Super Bowl game. All thoroughbred races will end by 3:00 p.m. so check your simulcast schedules for start times.

CONGRATS TO BILL DAVIS

The countdown seemed to take forever but Bill Davis finally hit the charmed 5,000 career win plateau on Jan. 25 by guiding Beggars Opera to victory in the third race of the Fraser Downs card. Fans gave the 47-year-old Davis a long and loud ovation and it turned out to an even more successful night as he won three more races including the $25,000 Keith Linton Memorial Stake Final with Bohemian Bliss.

MAGNA 5 IN FULL SWING

The Magna 5 continues every Saturday throughout the month of February. Pick the winners of five races from Laurel, Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Golden Gate for handsome dividends. The bet this year is only $1 and last week winners cashed in for over $26,000. The first race will always be from Laurel.

SATELLITE SLOTS

There’s still time to register for the big satellite slots tournament on Monday, Feb. 2. For more information check in with guest services the casino cage. A $20 entry fee gives you a chance to win or share a $50,000 final prize.