HorseRacing Central December 5, 2007

FLORIDA JOINS COMMON WAGERING POOL

Our esteemed Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs simulcast guru Dan Jukich calls it “the last bastion to be cracked”.

Florida is the final state in the U.S. to allow Canadians to common pool with its race tracks and the procedure begins as soon as December 10th when all monies wagered on Florida product will go directly into host track pools. This is particularly exciting news when you consider Tampa Bay is getting ready to kick off its winter/spring meet, Calder is less than a month away from closing and the major Gulfstream pools become available with their prestigious meet starting in early January.

Also, harness racing fans could be seeing wagering on Pompano Park in the near future. Sunland Park in New Mexico launches its meet on Dec. 12 and British Columbia outlets will carry opening day.

SCHEDULE CHANGE AT SANTA ANITA

Santa Anita will operate with a Thursday thru Monday regular racing schedule for its 71st annual winter/spring meet that begins Dec. 26 and runs until April 20, 2008.

“The change from the traditional Wednesday thru Sunday schedule is part of an effort to stimulate on-track business,” said Santa Anita president Ron Charles. He noted that the Dec. 26 card will start at noon and the track will be dark on Dec. 27.

Hastings favourites Monashee and Sir Gallovic are part of the southern California scene. After her unlucky 8th-place finish in the Maple Leaf Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto, Monashee is scheduled to run a couple of times at Santa Anita during the early portion of the upcoming meet before heading to the breeding shed in Kentucky.

Sir Gallovic, under the constant care of trainer Troy Taylor, is eyeing the difficult three-race Strub Series that begins with the $250,000 Malibu Stakes on Boxing Day at Santa Anita.

TABLE GAMES BIG HIT AT FRASER

With the addition of table games at Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino it’s been an eye-opener for general manager Scott Sinclair, who continues to marvel at the popularity of Blackjack, also referred to as “21”. “We now have four Blackjack tables including the Lucky Ladies that provides players with an option for a side bet,” Sinclair says. “There’s no doubt that Blackjack remains one of the biggest attractions in the industry.”

Other table games recently introduced to the Fraser Downs casino include Mini Baccarat, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Four Card Poker, Roulette and Texas Shoot Out.

At track level, the $25,000 Mr. Vancouver Final goes Sunday, Dec. 9 at Fraser Downs.

HHH – HASTINGS HOLIDAY HOURS

Christmas Eve – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Day – Closed. Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day – 9 a.m. to last simulcast race. Silks Restaurant – Sat. & Sun. – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jerome’s & Racebook – normal. Diamond Club – Wed. thru Sun. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. George Royal – Sat, & Sun. – noon to 7 p.m. (Closed Dec. 8).

BREAKFAST FOR 99 CENTS?!?

Look for our 99-cent Hastings breakfast coupon in the Vancouver Courier, North Shore News, Burnaby Now, Sing Tao Daily, Ming Pao, The Georgia Straight and Vancouver Sun. (Coupon valid Monday thru Friday – 9 a.m to 11 a.m. until December 31.)

STAY ‘N PAY WITH HASTINGS & HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

The ideal accommodation for family and friends visiting for the holidays is at the Holiday Inn Express (2889 E. Hastings Street) just around the corner from Hastings Racecourse. Under the special Stay ‘n Pay code, customers receive a special rate, continental breakfast and shuttle service to and from the Hastings Racecourse & Slots Floor.

We wish all of our friends and racing fans a safe and happy holiday season.