HorseRacing Central May 15, 2009

HOLIDAY WEEKEND OF RACING

In its ‘Guide to the Long Weekend’ feature in The Province this week Hastings Racecourse is front and centre with a full-colour action photo under the headline: “Having Fun Doesn’t Mean Breaking The Bank”. The article refers to Hastings Racecourse “as arguably the most beautiful spot in the city” and describes it as “a family-friendly place where you can watch thoroughbreds careen around the track with views of the North Shore Mountains, ports and Burrard Inlet in the background”.

Our inaugural “three-day weekend” of the 2009 season coincides with Victoria Day on Monday, May 18, the first of four Civic Holidays acknowledged annually at Hastings. So along with the regular Saturday and Sunday 1:25 p.m. starts this weekend, there will also be a 1:25 p.m. start on the Holiday Monday. And as the story in The Province duly pointed out, admission to the races at Hastings is free.

THANK YOU CHRIS & ARCHIE

It is very rare that horse racing is in the spotlight at the BC Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies but this past Wednesday night the Banquet of Champions included two inductees long associated with racing at Hastings. Chris Loseth, who rode in more than 26,000 races, is the all-time winning jockey with 3,668 over his illustrious career. He told the Convention Centre gathering that he will forever consider Delta Colleen his favourite horse. Archie McDonald, who was on the racing beat for the Vancouver Sun for 20 years, said that his all-time favourite “athlete” was the great horse George Royal. “He was the best BC-bred ever,” Archie said, “and there hasn’t been another one like him.”

PREAKNESS GOES SATURDAY

A longshot winner of the Kentucky Derby such as M<ine That Bird usually means a Triple Crown winner is out of the question and as a result the Preakness loses much of its luster. But maybe not this year. The sale and decision of owner Jess Jackson to run Rachel Alexandra in Saturday’s Preakness (3:15 p.m.) has been creating the type of excitement a Triple Crown event deserves.

A 20-length winner of the Kentucky Oaks, Rachel Alexandra has been established as the favourite. For the first time in recent history the winning Kentucky Derby rider will not ride his horse back in the Preakness. Popular jockey Çalvin Borel has opted to go with the talented filly against her male counterparts and must skillfully guide her from the No. 13 post. She will not be out-sized in the Preakness, being a long-backed filly that has been assigned the outside post. The draw might be in her favour because she has excellent positional speed and can stalk the pace if need be.

FROM FRASER DOWNS TO NORWAY

Newfoundland native Brad Forward, the star of the show at Fraser Downs during the National Driving Championship this past March, is currently in Norway representing Canada at the 2009 World Driving Championship. “It’s been an amazing journey and I keep trying to calm myself down,” Forward says. “Winning the national title at Fraser Downs was amazing … a dream come true.”

Forward’s competition at the world showdown includes defending champion Christopher Martens from Belgium as well as the 2008 European Driving Champion Roland Hulskath from Germany. Australia, Denmark, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the U.S. are all represented. The championship consists of 20 heats, contested at five race tracks in Norway from May 14 through May 20.

RACING RESUMES MAY 29

Fraser Downs makes room for the annual Cloverdale Rodeo at this time of the year and resumes racing on Friday, May 29. Owner/driver Serge Masse made the biggest splash of last weekend with three stakes victories.

Red Star Wildcat, owned by Jim Vinnell and Masse, won the $22,500 BC Stallion Stake for 4-year-old colts and geldings. Then Masse was back in the winner’s circle after guiding I’d Rather Be Lucky to victory in the $75,350 BC Stallion Stake Final for 3-year-old fillies. Masse drove for the ownership partnership of Vinnell and Rod Therres and the final time of 1:56 was a life mark for the winner.

Masse made it three on the night by winning the $22,500 Final of the BC Stallion Stake for 4-year-old mares with Luvinajiffy for owners Reg Wonnenberg and Gail Brassinton. It was the fourth win a row for the daughter of Village Jiffy and the time set a life mark for the winner of 1:54.4.

With no eliminations, nine 3-year-old colts and geldings lined-up for the $75,000 Final of the Pat Brennan Memorial. Stop Calling with Kevin Anderson in the bike was an easy winner, establishing a life mark of 1:54.1. Stop Calling has now won four of five career starts and four in a row for the JJJ Stables, Al and Mark Anderson.