HorseRacing Central May 30, 2007

'UNVEILING' AT HASTINGS

It just might be something that catches on for the summer...bachelorette parties at Hastings Racecourse!

Hey, it worked for Jess Bentall. And what a story she has to tell. Jess and her girlfriends – each of them decked out in cowgirl hats and boots – whooped it up in style at Hastings on Saturday, May 19th.

Jess was on her way to Anaheim the next day to join her fiancé – NHL superstar Rob Niedermayer – as the Ducks prepared for the opening game of the 2007 Stanley Cup championship round against the Ottawa Senators. Jess might have brought along a little Hastings' "Duck Luck" since it was Rob and his brother Scott who assisted on the winning goal in Anaheim’s 3–2 win to take the early lead in the series.

Jess and Rob have planned a July wedding. One of Jess's bridesmaids and constant companion at the Hastings ‘stagette’ was Schoena Strudwick, wife of former Canucks’ defenceman Jason Strudwick who played this past season with the New York Rangers. He’s also made NHL stops with the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks.

Jess Bentall is the daughter of one of Canada’s premier songwriters and performers, Barney Bentall. As a follow-up to his first major group Brandon Wolf, Barney has formed The Legendary Hearts, recording five gold albums and recently signing with True North Records.

Jess has promised to talk to her Dad about making an on-stage appearance at Hastings Racecourse this summer. Let’s hope he’s receptive. 

Photo above: Left to right - Ralph Bower, Schoena Strudwick and bride-to-be Jess Bentall

SUPER MARIO TOP JOCK

Last year’s top apprentice rider Mario Gutierrez continues to play a hot hand in the early going of the 2007 season at Hastings. He’s alone in the lead with 24 first-place finishes and an amazing 29.3% winning percentage. Former leading jockey Dave Wilson isn’t far behind with 19 victories, including three stakes wins. There’s a three-way tie for third at 10 wins involving Pedro Alvarado, Frank Fuentes and Felipe Valdez.

Much was made of the fact that two ladies – Barb Heads and Terry Clyde – finished tied for the leading trainer title last year, the first time in Hastings history. Another hard-working female – Toni Cloutier – is continuing the tradition by leading the pack with nine victories. Not far behind are Troy Taylor (seven wins) and Craig MacPherson (six wins). 

Photo: Mario Gutierrez



DID WE SAY LADIES?

The newspaper ads featuring four young divas say it all: “Do you like (a) Blind dates? (b) Hot dates? or (c) Race dates?”. Pick the latter and circle Sunday, June 3rd on your daytimer: Ladies Day at Hastings Racecourse!

All kinds of fun things are in store, including the ever-popular hat contest, a roaming mariachi band, free live programs and a special gift while supplies last to ladies entering through the Main Lobby. Ladies, you can try your luck with our Hastings Slot Machine – for prizes. The big prize will be a draw for a River Rock Spa Package.

HAVE TALENT? WILL TRAVEL

To the tune of Willie Nelson’s On The Road Again, we check in on some of our 2006 champions at Hastings: True Metropolitan is currently residing at Woodbine in Toronto preparing for the $200,000 Dominion Day Handicap to be run on July 1st; Jeff Sengara’s fine filly Suva trained by Steve Henson will challenge the best Canadian breds in the $500,000 Labatt Woodbine Oaks on June 10; and another looking east is the Canmor Farms mare Monashee who easily defeated her opponents in the $50,000 Senate Appointee toting 124 pounds and is definitely one that deserves a shot with the big gals back east as she tries to solidify her chances as a possible Sovereign Award winner.

BELMONT BECKONS

The million dollar Belmont Stakes goes Saturday, June 9th and will feature the return of Preakness winner Curlin who stopped the bid by Street Sense to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in l978.

Curlin will be trying to become the 19th horse since its inception in 1887 to pull off the Preakness-Belmont double and his chances will obviously improve if Street Sense doesn’t run. As of press time, the connections were still undecided whether the Derby winner would participate in the Belmont. Trainer Todd Pletcher has stated that if both the Derby and Preakness winners enter the Belmont, his star filly Rags To Riches would likely take a pass. But if Street Sense opts out, then the stage could be set for a showdown between Curlin and the best 3-year-old filly in the land.

Confirmed Belmont runners are Hard Spun ridden by Garrett Gomez; Tiago – winner of the Santa Anita Derby and seventh in the Kentucky Derby; and Imawildandcrazyguy, fourth in the Derby. Other probables include Chelokee, Slew’s Tizzy and Cristobal.

Live coverage of the Belmont will be shown at Racebook simulcast centres at Hastings Racecourse, Fraser Downs, Boulevard Casino, River Rock Casino and other TBC outlets.

GO BIG, GO NATIONAL

Fraser Downs is hosting a qualifying event for the TROT National Handicapping Championship that will be held at Toronto’s Woodbine Race Track on the 3rd of November.

Registration begins on Sunday, June 3rd and concludes on Saturday, June 30th. Imagine this: $50 gets you registered and that fee includes a famous Fraser Downs dinner, programs for the four tracks involved in the contest and cash prizes. The Fraser Downs portion of the handicapping contest is set for Saturday, July 7th.

The top three finishers will be heading to the November 3rd, 2007 final. The point structure is based on a $2 Win/Place bet (capped) and the contest will consist of six mandatory harness races, four of the participant’s choice.

Sound like fun? You betcha!

ONLINE HANDICAPPING CONTEST

The Road To The Crown Challenge has whittled down to the final two weeks of the 12– week contest and leading the pack is JAZZMAN01 with an impressive total of $448.20 which is more than $50 more than his nearest competitor. In second spot is DYSMONDS with a mythical balance of $395.10 and in third is PORTERDS with a total sitting at $385.10. The weekly winner was SHYLOH with an excellent day totaling $105.60. The contest continues Saturday.

HASTINGS CUSTOMER SCORES BIG

Just as the Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions don’t reveal the terms of a contract when they sign a player, Hastings Racecourse has a policy of not disclosing names of any huge wagering winners. But we will tell you that one of our regular Hastings handicappers pocketed more than $30,000 recently after correctly nailing the Six Pick at Hollywood Park.