HorseRacing Central April 10, 2009
BUSY MORNINGS AT HASTINGS
Things are heating up on a daily basis during these early morning hours at Hastings Racecourse as the countdown continues to opening day on Saturday, April 18. The number of workers trackside has been strong and steady, heightening the anticipation of big, competitive fields for opening weekend.
True Metropolitan, Spaghetti Mouse and BC Derby winner Krazy Koffee dominate the talented older horse division at Hastings with all three training smartly for their 2009 debuts, probably in early May. The ever-active Swift Thoroughbreds have purchased a 10-horse package from the powerful Darley Stables, meaning we’ll be seeing several new names to go along with old favourites this season. According to Swift Thoroughbreds’ trainer Dino Condilenios, that 10-horse purchase includes five 3-year-old colts and five older horses. “Being a successful breeding operation,” says Dino, “Darley doesn’t sell its fillies and that’s why this incoming group is strictly colts and geldings.”
Other notables working well during these picturesque mornings are BC Oaks winner Blue Sky Holiday, Ascot Graduation champ Tommy Danzigger and the fast filly What R The Odds.
WHAT’S ON TAP
There are two premier races this weekend, beginning with the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park featuring Old Fashioned who suffered his first career loss in the Rebel four weeks ago. Old Fashioned, with new pilot Terry Thompson in the irons, will have to be rated kindly and at his best to beat an accomplished opponent such as Papa Clem (Rafael Bejarano). Papa Clem ran into a monster in Friesan Fire and settled for second in the Louisiana Derby in his most recent start.
The other main event Saturday is the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland with synthetic track specialist Hold Me Back looming as the favourite. Hold Me Back will again be ridden by Kent Desormeaux. His chief rivals will be Theregoesjojo and Mafaaz, who won an automatic berth in the Kentucky Derby with a win at Kempton in London, England last month. His connections still feel he needs a top performance in the Blue Grass to earn a start in Kentucky. The Blue Grass is part of a 10-race program that will feature three other graded stakes: the Shakertown, Commonwealth and Jenny Wiley.
A CALL TO ACTION
The Thoroughbred Ladies Club of B.C. works to encourage goodwill for all facets of the thoroughbred industry and provide support and assistance when necessary, particularly on the Backstretch. Membership is open to ladies of all ages interested in the program and the welcome mat is out for the group’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Call Linda Sentes (604-318-7949) or Eleanor Vanden Born (604-534-2879) for more details.
$15,000 HASTINGS WINNER
Congratulations are in order for Hastings BC Gold Card holder Rhodora Rosales, a $15,000 winner in the province-wide Mountains of Money Slot Tournament. BC Gold Members receive valuable offers and discounts, bonus entries for exciting contests, invitations to exclusive events and points for cash with every play. Membership cards are easily available by checking with any Great Canadian Casino service desk and filling out an application form.
FRASER DOWNS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
This weekend marks the last of three consecutive days of live racing at Fraser Downs. After this weekend Fraser will race on Friday and Saturday nights only with start times being 7:30 p.m. Please note that the Good Friday card is a 7:30 p.m. start with Saturday and Sunday going at 1:15 p.m.
Two eliminations for the Miss Cloverdale Classic are on tap for Saturday. With 12 entries there have been two divisions established. The first race has a field of six but only five wagering interests as Robert Murphy has Real Beauty and Red Star Hottie entered. Trainer/driver Bill Davis has the favourite with Im Bossy. The second division also sees Davis with the early favourite in Full Circle Faith, yet to be tested in her three starts at Fraser, winning each of them by comfortable margins.
ALBERTA INVADERS REMAIN HOT
Davis had three wins last Friday but was held out of the winner’s circle on Saturday. The Alberta drivers continue their winning ways. Keith Clark scored four victories over the weekend while Brent Beelby had a pair Friday as he opened and closed the card with wins.
Gerry Hudon piloted Camblazer to a blazing win in the Final of the Sandown Plate. Never tested in the mile pace, Camblazer lowered his fastest mile by over a full second, winning in 1:55.2. Heavily favoured Primary Purpose had to settle for second.
OUTDOOR CONCERT APPLAUDED
An estimated crowd of 1,500 danced and sang into the night last Saturday with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band headlining a four-hour outdoor music marathon on the infield at Fraser Downs. “We’ve had concerts on the infield in the past,” said GM Chuck Keeling, “but this was the first time it was done right after racing. It required a lot of infrastructure in the infield during the races and while the horsepeople were inconvenienced with set up and tear down, everyone was very cooperative throughout the event.”
Both Keeling and promoter Don Adams indicated an interested in staging similar shows.
TECHNICAL GLITCH
Due to a technical glitch in our databases during distribution of our “Excitement is Timeless” direct mail piece, you may have received a piece of mail with an incorrect first name. Please accept our sincerest apologies; we ensure you this error will be corrected as soon as possible.
The piece of mail you did receive is valid and all offers will be honored by our team here at Hastings Racecourse.
We hope to see you at Hastings for the 2009 Live Racing Season, Opening Day is right around the corner, Saturday, April 18 first race 1:25pm.
Once again we offer our sincere apologies for this error and hope to see you soon.
Things are heating up on a daily basis during these early morning hours at Hastings Racecourse as the countdown continues to opening day on Saturday, April 18. The number of workers trackside has been strong and steady, heightening the anticipation of big, competitive fields for opening weekend.True Metropolitan, Spaghetti Mouse and BC Derby winner Krazy Koffee dominate the talented older horse division at Hastings with all three training smartly for their 2009 debuts, probably in early May. The ever-active Swift Thoroughbreds have purchased a 10-horse package from the powerful Darley Stables, meaning we’ll be seeing several new names to go along with old favourites this season. According to Swift Thoroughbreds’ trainer Dino Condilenios, that 10-horse purchase includes five 3-year-old colts and five older horses. “Being a successful breeding operation,” says Dino, “Darley doesn’t sell its fillies and that’s why this incoming group is strictly colts and geldings.”
Other notables working well during these picturesque mornings are BC Oaks winner Blue Sky Holiday, Ascot Graduation champ Tommy Danzigger and the fast filly What R The Odds.
WHAT’S ON TAP There are two premier races this weekend, beginning with the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park featuring Old Fashioned who suffered his first career loss in the Rebel four weeks ago. Old Fashioned, with new pilot Terry Thompson in the irons, will have to be rated kindly and at his best to beat an accomplished opponent such as Papa Clem (Rafael Bejarano). Papa Clem ran into a monster in Friesan Fire and settled for second in the Louisiana Derby in his most recent start.
The other main event Saturday is the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland with synthetic track specialist Hold Me Back looming as the favourite. Hold Me Back will again be ridden by Kent Desormeaux. His chief rivals will be Theregoesjojo and Mafaaz, who won an automatic berth in the Kentucky Derby with a win at Kempton in London, England last month. His connections still feel he needs a top performance in the Blue Grass to earn a start in Kentucky. The Blue Grass is part of a 10-race program that will feature three other graded stakes: the Shakertown, Commonwealth and Jenny Wiley.
A CALL TO ACTION
The Thoroughbred Ladies Club of B.C. works to encourage goodwill for all facets of the thoroughbred industry and provide support and assistance when necessary, particularly on the Backstretch. Membership is open to ladies of all ages interested in the program and the welcome mat is out for the group’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Call Linda Sentes (604-318-7949) or Eleanor Vanden Born (604-534-2879) for more details.
$15,000 HASTINGS WINNER Congratulations are in order for Hastings BC Gold Card holder Rhodora Rosales, a $15,000 winner in the province-wide Mountains of Money Slot Tournament. BC Gold Members receive valuable offers and discounts, bonus entries for exciting contests, invitations to exclusive events and points for cash with every play. Membership cards are easily available by checking with any Great Canadian Casino service desk and filling out an application form.
FRASER DOWNS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
This weekend marks the last of three consecutive days of live racing at Fraser Downs. After this weekend Fraser will race on Friday and Saturday nights only with start times being 7:30 p.m. Please note that the Good Friday card is a 7:30 p.m. start with Saturday and Sunday going at 1:15 p.m.
Two eliminations for the Miss Cloverdale Classic are on tap for Saturday. With 12 entries there have been two divisions established. The first race has a field of six but only five wagering interests as Robert Murphy has Real Beauty and Red Star Hottie entered. Trainer/driver Bill Davis has the favourite with Im Bossy. The second division also sees Davis with the early favourite in Full Circle Faith, yet to be tested in her three starts at Fraser, winning each of them by comfortable margins. ALBERTA INVADERS REMAIN HOT
Davis had three wins last Friday but was held out of the winner’s circle on Saturday. The Alberta drivers continue their winning ways. Keith Clark scored four victories over the weekend while Brent Beelby had a pair Friday as he opened and closed the card with wins.
Gerry Hudon piloted Camblazer to a blazing win in the Final of the Sandown Plate. Never tested in the mile pace, Camblazer lowered his fastest mile by over a full second, winning in 1:55.2. Heavily favoured Primary Purpose had to settle for second.
OUTDOOR CONCERT APPLAUDED
An estimated crowd of 1,500 danced and sang into the night last Saturday with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band headlining a four-hour outdoor music marathon on the infield at Fraser Downs. “We’ve had concerts on the infield in the past,” said GM Chuck Keeling, “but this was the first time it was done right after racing. It required a lot of infrastructure in the infield during the races and while the horsepeople were inconvenienced with set up and tear down, everyone was very cooperative throughout the event.”
Both Keeling and promoter Don Adams indicated an interested in staging similar shows.
TECHNICAL GLITCH
Due to a technical glitch in our databases during distribution of our “Excitement is Timeless” direct mail piece, you may have received a piece of mail with an incorrect first name. Please accept our sincerest apologies; we ensure you this error will be corrected as soon as possible.
The piece of mail you did receive is valid and all offers will be honored by our team here at Hastings Racecourse.
We hope to see you at Hastings for the 2009 Live Racing Season, Opening Day is right around the corner, Saturday, April 18 first race 1:25pm.
Once again we offer our sincere apologies for this error and hope to see you soon.
