HorseRacing Central July 15, 2010

FRIDAY AFTERNOON RACE CARD AT HASTINGS – 1:40 p.m.

Hastings Racecourse shifts to a 1:40 p.m. start Friday afternoon (July 16) because of the 7:00 p.m. B.C. Lions – Montreal Alouettes kick-off at Empire Field. Again, the ‘Huddle at Hastings’ pre-game festivities will be in full swing, as well as the popular Hastings Racecourse shuttle service for those football fans who choose to make it a full afternoon’s entertainment by attending the races earlier in the day.

Bob (The Moj) Marjanovich hosts the Lions’ pre-game show on Team Radio live from Hastings Racecourse beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The Friday afternoon card launches a super weekend of racing with two $50,000 stake races in addition to the return of the extremely popular and family-friendly Wiener Dog Races.

Friday’s feature race is a $25,000 claimer for older horses at 6 1/2 furlongs with a solid group of seven starters. The Strawberry Morn Handicap is Saturday’s feature with Summer Song expected to be the favourite in a field of seven fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Troy Taylor, Summer Song has won four of her five starts at this distance, including the $50,000 Vancouver Sun on Canada Day.

The 74th running of the S.W. Randall Plate goes as Sunday’s sixth race for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles. Trainer Dino Condilenios sends out the favourite, Burj Dubai, in a six-horse field.

WIENER DOGS RUN BOTH SATURDAY & SUNDAY

A top prize of $1,000 awaits the winner of this year’s Wiener Dog Races that will run over both Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by Schneiders, there will be eight trial heats with each successful qualifier receiving $100 leading up to Sunday’s championship showdown.

Saturday’s heats go at 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Sunday’s schedule is 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. 3:15 p.m. with the championship final – “The Big Wiener” - at 4:15 p.m.

PICK 4 CARRYOVER GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 23

Beginning Friday, July 23, Hastings Racecourse will be paying out only on winners of all four legs of the Pick 4 wager. There will no longer be payouts on 3-out-of-4 or 2-out-of-4 wagers. If there are no winners of all four legs, 100 per cent of the pool will be carried over to the following live race day.

It is the hope of Hastings management that this format will give customers access to a potential ‘jackpot’ payout.

BC CUP PREVIEW BREAKFAST – SUNDAY, JULY 25

All of the top contenders for this year’s BC Cup extravaganza on Monday, August 2 will be working out at a special Clocker’s Corner BC Cup Preview Breakfast between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Hastings Racecourse on Sunday, July 25.

A complimentary continental breakfast will be served in the Grandstand Patio and Box Seats. It will be the official launch of a week-long thoroughbred racing celebration that culminates with seven stake races on the holiday Monday (BC Day) Aug. 2 with more than $400,000 in purse money on the line.

The $50,000 Redekop BC Cup Classic for 3-year-olds and up highlights one of the biggest race days of the year that also features the Debutante, Nursery, Dogwood, Stellar’s Jay, Distaff and Sprint.

A reminder to horsemen: Nominations for BC Cup Day close on Saturday, July 24.

BC CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT ON MONDAY, JULY 26

There are still a few openings available for the annual BC Cup Golf Tournament on Monday, July 26 at Newlands Golf & Country Club in Langley, B.C. A $100 entry fee includes the round of golf, power cart, dinner and prizes.

Organizers Dan Jukich and Christine Hong are still on the prowl for prizes and sponsorships. In return, contributors will have their names appear in an upcoming Hastings live racing program. Call Christine at 604-216-5264 for more information.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Belmont and Hollywood meets conclude this weekend while the Summer Boutique meets open this week. Del Mar opens on Wednesday and as they did last year, racing will be on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule. With Del Mar being just north of San Diego, our simulcast director Dan Jukich likes to say: “Come and enjoy our simulcast coverage from where ‘the turf meets the surf’.

Saratoga opens its 142nd season Friday and will go on a Wednesday through Monday schedule. It’s a 40-day meet with closing day on Labour Day. Veteran simulcast players are aware that many graded stakes are featured throughout the exciting meet.