HorseRacing Central April 25, 2008

THEY’RE AT THE POST SATURDAY & SUNDAY!

Eight live races Saturday; eight more Sunday. Hastings Racecourse comes alive this weekend with the exciting opening of the 2008 thoroughbred season. The feature race Saturday is a solid group of $25,000 claimers going six furlongs led by the hard-knocking T.J. Hennessy and the ultra-consistent Tango Mango. Nine talented fillies and mares headline an allowance feature that goes six furlongs on Sunday. There is nothing quite like opening day in the world of sports. It is a time to envision great things happening in the weeks and months ahead; a time when enthusiasm and optimism can run freely.

Racing fans at Hastings this weekend can win a fabulous trip for two to the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Oct. 24-25 simply by filling out a ballot at the Gaming Floor Guest Services. The prize package, courtesy of VIP Travel, includes airfare, hotel and transfers.

A NEW FEATURE: JOCKEY PROFILE

One of the most consistent and popular riders at Hastings is Frank Fuentes, who after 20 years is still a fixture near the top of the standings year after year. Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Frank moved with his family to Southern California in the late 1970’s and that gave him the opportunity to live out of his dream of becoming a jockey.

“I was fortunate enough to apprentice under one of the training greats in Richard Mandella,” Fuentes says. “I would never have made it without his help.”

Arriving in Vancouver in l987 with his twin brother Adan, Frank was tagged as being one of the hardest working riders in the jock’s room and today his stern work ethic has resulted in a successful career that spans three decades. He’s hit the winner’s circle with superstars Lord Nelson, Artic Son, Regal Red and Mike K – among others – and he doesn’t hesitate to choose Lord Nelson as his all-time favourite.

Frank married Tammy in Vancouver in 1990 and now they have two teenage sons – Manny and Tony – who frequently cheer their Dad from along the fence line near the paddock. Frank’s hobbies include golf, cooking and painting houses (indoors), something that has turned into off-season employment with his major client list being the horsemen he works with in racing season.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Michael and Lucas Loynes’ Eagle River Man will be one of the favourites in an optional $40,000 claimer at Stampede Park on Saturday after his wire-to-wire win in Calgary four weeks ago. Also on the card, Bob Cheema’s Ronaldino takes on stakes company in the $50,000 Stampede Sprint Championship.

With live racing beginning this weekend at Hastings, things are lighter on Saturday on the out-of-town schedule for our local horses. Simichiello Stable’s Launch Our Star goes Friday (tonight) for her third victory of the young season as she tackles a group of $17,500 claimers over her preferred trip of six furlongs. Cheema’s Steady Pace takes a big drop in price looking to break her maiden. Don Muldoon and Dave Milburn’s Vote tries to wire a field of $25,000 claimers in the opener at Bay Meadows.

Last weekend three local owners had horses running on the final card of the winter meeting at Santa Anita. Jeff Sengara won with Joy’s Comet. Cecil Peacock’s Brother Derek, who suffered from a wide trip, still managed second-place money and Swift Thoroughbred’s Propaganda was a close fourth in an allowance race.

SANDOWN PARK DATES CONFIRMED

Sam Hawkins, Director of Racing for the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), has approved race dates for a “live” standardbred 2008 summer meet. The dates confirmed for the Vancouver Island track include: Saturday, July 12; Saturday, July 19; and Saturday, July 26. The BCSA will provide $110,000 in purses and a further $35,000 to supplement the horse shipping costs to the Island.

NEW MISS CLOVERDALE CHAMP

A move into the Bill Davis stable put Follow Your Rosa on her game with a huge victory in the $30,200 Miss Cloverdale Classic at Fraser Downs. Davis was originally down to drive Full Circle Dream but switched. Follow Your Rosa is owned by Niele Jiwan.

Qualifying legs of the Stallion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-old colts & geldings will be held this weekend at Fraser. The finals go May 9. Fraser Downs is now on a twice-a-week nightly schedule: Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 p.m. A reminder: there will not be any live racing the weekends of the annual Rodeo May 16-17 and May 23-24.

FAST TRACKING …

Both Fraser Downs and Hastings Racecourse will be staging special promotions around the simulcast coverage of next Saturday’s (May 3) Kentucky Derby. Simulcasting from Churchill Downs begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 2 (Oaks Day) and also at 8:00 a.m. on Derby Day. Check out the respective Louisville-style menus … If you can pick the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and George Royal Stakes at Hastings next Saturday, there’s a chance to $1,000 … The popular Racing Gold sheet will not be published in its usual form this year after 21 consecutive seasons at Hastings. Retiring editor/analyst Eric Astrom is helping Hastings develop a new version of Racing Gold and is looking for experienced handicappers to write race commentaries and provide selections for the new publication. You can reach Eric at rgold@shaw.ca