HorseRacing Central May 22, 2009
HOLLYWOOD WAGERS CAN BE REFUNDED
A total of 33 race tracks throughout North America – including Hastings Racecourse – were affected by a wagering system malfunction related to race #9 at Hollywood Park last Saturday, May 16. The issue is currently under investigation by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. Hastings management apologizes for any inconvenience suffered by our patrons. Anyone who made a wager on this race is eligible to receive a refund. If you made a wager on this race and have lost your ticket/voucher please see Guest Services in our Hastings Racebook for a lost ticket/voucher form.
FERNANDO ON A HOT STREAK
Fernando Perez added to his lead as the top jockey at Hastings Racecourse with five victories during the Victoria Day. He now has 22 wins in 84 starts and the nearest to him are Dave Wilson and Frank Fuentes with 12 apiece.
The 23-year-old Perez got warmed up on a couple of long shots last Saturday (Tribal Teen $17.70 and Redneck Legend $13.90) before scoring a win on Concert Music in a $50,000 claiming option for 3-year-old fillies. Not to be outdone by the five Perez winning mounts last weekend, trainer Craig McPherson matched that number by sending out three winners on the holiday Monday (J Ts Pointe, Bangalow, Classic Ideals) and two on Sunday (Priceless Babe, Parklane). McPherson sits third in the trainers standings behind Troy Taylor and Dino Condilenios.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Saturday, May 23/09
The reigning filly and mare champion Zenyatta makes her first start in 2009 at Hollywood Park in the $150,000 Milady Stakes. She’ll team up with her usual pilot Mike Smith who has recently announced that he will not ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes. He’s committed to Madeo on the same day in the Charles Whittingham at Hollywood.
At Woodbine there will be some local interest with owner K.K. Sangara having three horses running in the first four races: C R Dream, Conflicting Report and Dancingall Theway. Peter Redekop’s Star Prospector will take on Sangara’s Dancingall Theway in the fourth race at 11:26 a.m. our time.
* Zenyatta photo courtesy of Chris Carlson/AP
Sunday, May 24/09
Hastings champion filly What R The Odds is at Emerald Downs to compete in the $50,000 Federal Way Stakes. At Woodbine, two locally-owned runners – Seismologist (Steve and Lorie Henson) and Whiskeyontherocks (Canvasback Farms) will battle in a $40,000 claiming event.
Monday, Memorial Day
It’s a huge simulcast afternoon and the richest race of the U.S. Holiday Monday is the $600,000 Met Mile at Belmont Park, expected to draw a field lof 14. At Hollywood, the great filly Ventura will take on the boys in the $200,000 Shoemaker Mile.
Lone Star Park is giving out over a million dollars in purse money as part of its five stakes race program. Also on Monday, Seminole Brave and rider Ismael Mosquiera will be at Emerald Downs to take on the best older horses in Seattle for the $50,000 FSN Sports Handicap. Also nominated are Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella’s Forest Prince and recent Hastings allowance winner Reel Prime, trained by Alan May.
ROCK ‘N RACING AT FRASER DOWNS
Mark down the date: Saturday, June 6. Live racing starts at 6:00 p.m. at Fraser Downs and from 9:00 until 12:30 a.m. there will be three bands performing: Keith Diamond & the Rockets, Drink the Fat and All About Jack. Tickets are $25 with all proceeds going to Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation’s ‘Tulips for Tomorrow’ campaign. Tickets can be purchased at Fraser Downs orthrough Bruce Hayne at 604-581-2827.
Live racing, three hot bands and a silent auction … it doesn’t get any better than that!
2009-2010 SCHEDULE SET
Fraser Downs GM Chuck Keeling has announced that the 2009-2010 season will feature Saturday evening racing. The 107 days of racing begin on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 and end on Saturday, June 26, 2010 with a calendar that includes 41 Saturday night, 40 Friday nights, 22 Sunday afternoons, three Thursday nights and one Wednesday afternoon. Evening cards start at 7:30 p.m. with the normal 1:15 post during day-time racing.
