HorseRacing Central July 17, 2008

LONG, LONGER, LONGEST

The first of the popular Pacific Customs Brokers Marathon Series returns to Hastings Racecourse Sunday afternoon. This is the shortest of the series at nine furlongs but over the course of the next three months the competing horses will progressively make their way up to the challenging distance of 14 furlongs with the fifth and final race of the series going on November 1 for a purse of $30,000.

Distance specialist Lord Vic has been protected during this 2008 season running primarily in stakes as he awaits the opportunity to get back into these exciting marathons. Another interesting nominee is the mare Against The Sky, undefeated going long and a candidate to give the boys a run for their money.

The Visualizer will be looking for his first win since 2006 when he drops into a first-level allowance race that has a $35,000 claiming option on Saturday. Trained by Dino Condilenios, The Visualizer has started only 13 times in his career. His bullet half-mile work on July 5 could make him the favourite.

WHOLE LOTTA SIHOTA

Apprentice jockey Natasha Sihota made quite a splash in her first week of riding at Hastings. She received the traditional dousing of water on her way back to the jockey’s room following her initial victory last Friday aboard Wanna Be Silver, a $31.60 winner. The very next day Natasha came back with a $27.80 win on TwoForty Gordy. She heads into this weekend with two wins, two places and a show in seven mounts, good for earnings of $28,767. Heading into the weekend, Sihota was booked for two mounts Friday, three Saturday and two Sunday.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Local racing product did us all proud last weekend as Neville Davis’ three-year-old Arkhill captured the $95,000 Ky Alta Stakes at Northlands Park. Trained by Craig MacPherson and ridden comfortably by Rickey Walcott, Arkhill took home a tidy $66,000.

On the same day, Bob Cheema’s Dancing Allstar was stacked up against some very fast fillies in the $250,000 Azalea Stakes at Calder and performed admirably, finishing third behind the undefeated filly Indyanne from Northern California. Hastings’ leading rider Mario Gutierrez was aboard Dancing Allstar but Mario didn’t get much time to enjoy Miami because his schedule had him in Edmonton the next day to ride Holy Nova in the $50,000 John Patrick Stakes. It was a worthwhile trip considering Holy Nova romped home an easy winner for owners Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella.

PRINCE OF WALES

The second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown was run last Sunday at Fort Erie with the favourite being Chuck Fipke’s Not Bourbon but it was Harlem Rocker who outlasted seven other rivals for the win. Not Bourbon didn’t seem to be comfortable on the regular dirt surface and was out of contention on the final turn. Next up for Not Bourbon: the third jewel in the Breeders’ Stakes at a 1 ½ miles over the E.P. Taylor turf course at Woodbine on Sunday. Aug. 3.

SHREK COMES TO HASTINGS

In the first of a summer series of free family movies to be shown on the giant screen in the infield at Hastings, the date is next Tuesday (July 22) at 9 p.m. It’s our very own version of Theatre Under the Stars and the popular full-length movie Shrek kicks off the schedule. This is family entertainment at his best at no charge!

SURPRISE FRIDAYS

Again, you can start your weekend early with Friday afternoon racing at Hastings starting at 2:25. Last week those groovy gate crew guys tossed Hastings caps into the crowd and this week the surprises will continue with free giveaways to the first 500 patrons through the door and the gate crew repeating its gesture during the first-half of the live racing card.

During live racing on Fridays you can qualify for a seat at the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas. Weekly winners receive $200 plus a bonus of $100 for HPI members.

TOMMY WOLSKI’S SPORT OF KINGS

Have you ever wondered what trials and tribulations an aspiring jockey must go through as he/she embarks on a riding career? There’s no one better to address the topic than former jockey himself Tommy Wolski. He talks to young Ismael Mosqueira on that very subject during one of the feature segments on the Sport of Kings, Citytv at 11 a.m. Saturday.

MILLIONS AT MEADOWLANDS

The $1.1 Million Meadowlands Pace featuring undefeated Somebeachsomewhere goes as the 8th race on a 13-race card Saturday. Post time is 7:15 Pacific. The pacer who carries a perfect 10-for-10 record this season won the elimination in record-setting time last weekend. No surprise, then, to see he’s listed at 2/5 on the morning line.

For this day only Meadowlands has moved its first race to 4:30 p.m. Pacific and also on the card is a $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 from races six through nine.

Watch for more information in the coming weeks about Georgian Downs Xtreme Day on Saturday, Aug. 9 when the card will include races that feature 18-horse fields, two-mile events and quick dashes.

Day Two of the harness summer season goes Saturday at Sandown on Vancouver Island. Opening day last Saturday was a huge hit.