HorseRacing Central June 13, 2008

B.C. HORSES HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE

While local horse racing attention will be focused on the $50,000 Strawberry Morn at Hastings Racecourse on Father’s Day Sunday, there are several other major events happening this weekend with B.C. connections.

Four Hastings regulars have entered the $125,000 Alberta Derby that runs Saturday at Stampede Park in Calgary. Peaceful Turzia, owned by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, has been installed as the early favourite after winning the Jim Coleman Province Stakes at Hastings on May 18.

The other Vancouver imports are among the nine-horse field including Savo Island, owned by Leo and Norma Shaw; Arkhill owned by Neville Davis and Swift Thoroughbreds’ Harlem. Three regular jockeys from Hastings have mounts in the Alberta Derby with Dave Wilson on Savo Island, Fernando Perez staying with Peaceful Turzia and Frank Fuentes on Harlem. Ricky Walcott, one of the top jockeys in Alberta, will be riding Arkhill.

The 1 1/16th mile test for three-year-olds will be televised live on CTV at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, local time.

CURLIN BACK ON STAGE

Last season’s Horse-of-the-Year Curlin makes his first start since winning the $6 million Dubai World Cup with his appearance Saturday at Churchill Downs in the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap. It’s the biggest day in Louisville since the Kentucky Derby with 6-graded stakes on the 11-race card. Regular rider Robby Albarado will make up most of the 128 pounds that Curlin has been assigned and faces nine other rivals including Einstein, a multiple Grad 1 winner on the grass. Local racing fans get a chance to watch Curlin at 2:50 p.m. on the simulcast network.

WEST COAST HANDICAPPING CONTEST

In one week’s time you can prove to be the best handicapper on the West Coast with the Saturday, June 21 West Coast Handicapping Challenge. Participating tracks include Hastings, Emerald Downs, Hollywood Park and Golden Gate. Details and entry forms are available at www.hastingsracecourse.com/promotions.

ROYAL MORN INVADES NORTHLANDS

Royal Morn, named two-year-old BC-bred Horse-of-the-Year by the BC Standardbred Breeders, has drawn the number 5 post for Sunday’s Western Canada Pacing Derby final at Northlands Park. The $175,000 race marks the end of the Edmonton spring meet. Royal Morn is owned by Rod Therres and Charlie MacFarlane and will be driven Sunday by Brent Grundy. Local owner Bill Boden is part-owner of Bigmizndrstnding, the morning line favourite.

NORTH AMERICA CUP AT MOHAWK

SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE, last year’s champion two-year-old colt pacer in Canada and the U.S., is an 8-5 morning line favourite to win Saturday’s $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack. It’s the richest harness race in North America with the winner receiving $750,000. The Score television network will air a 90-minute telecast from Mohawk that begins at 5:30 p.m. Vancouver time.