HorseRacing Central March 12, 2010

HASTINGS & BC LIONS WORKING TOGETHER

With the BC Lions moving into their old digs once known as Empire Stadium but now called Empire Fields for the 2010 Canadian Football League season, it created a whole new challenge for Hastings Racecourse.

Having the Lions as neighbours playing 10 home games on the PNE grounds instantly resulted in Hastings Racecourse General Manager Raj Mutti sitting down with Lions Director of Business Operations George Chayka to discuss cross promotions that would benefit both parties.

It took several meetings and delays in announcing both the 2010 Racing Calendar and the Lions’ schedule, but the end result was worthwhile. Hastings Racecourse is pleased to be partnering with the BC Lions and being able to continue its important relationship with the PNE at the same time.

There are three Lions’ home games that fall on racing dates: Sunday, June 20; Friday, July 16; and Saturday, September 11. In each case, start times at Hastings have been adjusted … all in the interest of providing racing fans with the opportunity to capitalize on a full day’s entertainment.

Sunday, June 20 is Father’s Day and racing will begin at 10 a.m. with the Lions playing Edmonton in a 2 p.m. kick-off. Hastings’ mandate will be to make Father’s Day a truly “family affair” with the BC Lions playing a big part in the festivities. Friday, July 16 will result in a 1:40 start time at Hastings, as the Lions play Montreal at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, September 11 racing will begin at 4:40 p.m. to accommodate the Lions game against Toronto starting at 1 p.m.

In return for Hastings making those start-time changes, the Lions will be actively promoting thoroughbred racing in many ways, including an attractive association with Team Radio 1410 and 1040. Watch, too, for the introduction of a Lions Den at the Eclipse Lounge on the Hastings casino floor.

The 2010 racing season begins at Hastings on the April 24-25 weekend. The thrill and fun of the Sport of Kings will be running 71 times from April through October.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD & SIMULCAST ACTION

It’s a huge weekend of stakes racing throughout the U.S., the highlight being Saturday at Fairgrounds (2:15 p.m.) with the return of Rachel Alexandra in a five-horse field listed as the 1-5 favourite. Rachel Alexandra, of course, is prepping for the head-to-head challenge against Zenyatta at the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap at Oaklawn on April 9.

Zenyatta runs Saturday in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita at 3:36 p.m. The undefeated superstar mare will have Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith in the tack and will have to shoulder 127 lbs. for her first run since her dramatic win in the Breeders Cup Classic. Also on Saturday’s card is the $150,000 San Felipe (4:38 p.m.) with seven 3-year-olds trying to punch their card to the big dance in Kentucky on the first Saturday in May.

Gulfstream’s feature is the Grade II Gulfstream Handicap (2:43 p.m.) with the 9-5 favourite being This Ones for Phil. Oaklawn has two stakes on Saturday: the $125,000 Honeybee (2:42 p.m.) for 3-year-old fillies and the another Derby prep (3:47 p.m.) with the running of the $300,000 Rebel.

Tampa has four consecutive stakes going Saturday, starting with the $150,000 Hillsborough (12:57 p.m.) It’s followed by the $175,000 Florida Oaks (1:27 p.m.), the Turf Express (1:57 p.m.) and $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby with trainer Todd Pletcher sending out the morning line favourite Super Save (2-1).

PRINCESS OF THE PACIFIC AT FRASER DOWNS

It’s down to the Final of the $75,000 Princess of the Pacific at Fraser Downs Saturday night after some lively elimination heats determined the top nine money earners over the past two weeks. The feature Saturday goes as the 10th race with the entry of Modern Legacy (Ed Hensley) and Lickcreek Jazzy (Michael Hennessy) listed as the morning line favourites at 8-5.

While there are nine horses entered in the Final, there will be only six wagering interests. Besides Modern Legacy and Lickcreek Jazzy, the other entries are Lil Kim and Red Star Hottie (3-1); and Lil Miss Nyalation and Jans Rich Girl (5-1). Rossbridge is listed at 4-1; Adorable Killean at 6-1; and Second Fancy at 12-1.

Friday and Saturday pacing at Fraser Downs goes at 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday card set for a 1:15 start time.