HorseRacing Central May 14, 2010

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE RETURNS TO HASTINGS

One of Vancouver’s most popular entertainment attractions returns to Hastings Racecourse tonight (May 14) with an eight-race Friday Night Live card that includes live entertainment and price-friendly food and beverage specials throughout the night. Friday Night Live at Hastings has become “the place to be seen on the Vancouver scene”. Races start at 7 p.m. and Hastings customers will be able to take advantage of a special Free Shuttle service from the Renfrew Street Skytrain beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the last trip leaving Hastings at 11:15 p.m. The shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes.

THRILLS GALORE GUARANTEED SATURDAY & SUNDAY

A full field of 10 horses going six and one-half furlongs in a $50,000 claiming option for 3-year-olds and up is Saturday’s feature in the seventh race of an eight-race card. Trainer Craig MacPherson is hoping that Arkhill will be ready to stage a comeback after sitting out the 2009 season with what has been discreetly described as a “physical problem”.

Arkhill has won seven of his nine career starts and the only time he finished worse than second was in Krazy Koffee’s BC Derby victory in 2008. Arkhill then came right back to win a one and one-eighth miles allowance race before taking time off. And wouldn’t you know it … Arkhill gets another crack at Krazy Koffee Saturday as well as 2005 BC Derby winner Spaghetti Mouse.

Sunday’s main event is a seven-horse field of fillies and mares running six and one-half furlongs in an optional $50,000 claimer. Against The Sky, last year’s winner of the BC Cup Distaff, is up against some hot competition with the likes of Notis Her, Broken Hearted and Smokin Danielle.

IMPORTANT HASTINGS DATES TO JOT DOWN

Back by popular demand is the “Clocker’s Corner” open house at Hastings on Sunday, May 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. highlighted by some of our finest horseracing talent on display during workouts from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Hastings Racecourse GM Raj Mutti hosted the first of such programs on April 17 and it was hugely popular with owners, trainers and regular customers. For an admittance fee of just $3, guests will be able to share their early-morning coffee and muffins in good company.

Another date to note is Sunday, June 20 – Father’s Day. What an exciting new twist this will be: Hastings racing starts at 10 a.m. because the BC Lions will be playing an exhibition CFL game against the Toronto Argonauts with a 2:00 p.m. kick-off at Empire Fields. It will be the Lions first appearance in their new, temporary surroundings. So sports fans get their initial taste of enjoying the best of both worlds: world-class thoroughbred racing in the morning and professional football the same afternoon, all within walking distance. Stand by for more exciting details on this one! It will be a Father’s Day for Dads to remember for a long, long time.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD & SIMULCAST ACTION

Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver has been made the early 5-2 favourite for Saturday’s Preakness, the second jewel of racing’s coveted Triple Crown. With a confident Calvin Borel riding Super Saver again and predicting another victory, local racing fans can catch the mile and three-sixteenths feature from Pimlico at 3:12 p.m. Pacific Time via simulcast at Hastings, Fraser Downs, River Rock and Boulevard Casinos and all other Racebook outlets throughout British Columbia.

Super Saver has drawn the No. 8 post in the field of 12. Lookin At Lucky, the beaten Kentucky Derby favourite, is the 3-1 second choice while Paddy O’Prado, third-place in the Derby, is Saturday’s third choice at 9-2, breaking from the No. 10 post.

REDEKOP’S COMEDERO ON PREAKNESS UNDERCARD

Peter Redekop’s Comedero is the morning line favourite on a Preakness undercard six-furlong race that goes Saturday at 10:37 a.m. PT. Comedero is coming off an impressive win at Charlestown and don’t think for a moment that Mr. Redekop isn’t on a roll. Hollywood Hit set a Woodbine track record in winning the $150,000 Vigil Stakes last Sunday, leaving Redekop and trainer Terry Jordan with visions of a Breeders’ Cup berth next November at Churchill Downs. Hollywood Hit has won six straight and now has career earnings of $319,175.

A SWEEP IN THE FRASER DOWNS BC STALLION STAKES

Driver Jim Marino, trainer Ed Hensley and owner/breeders JJJ Stables of Aldergrove and Alan Anderson teamed up to sweep the $75,000 BC Stallion Stake Finals last Friday at Fraser Downs. In the stake final for sophomore fillies, Been Down Before rallied from off the pace as an 8-1 upset winner, paying $18.40. Nobody Can won the Pat Brennan Memorial for colts and geldings, paying $12.90 as the 5-1 third choice.

Regular 7:30 p.m. start times resumes Friday and Saturday at Fraser Downs with the reminder that live racing will be put on hold next weekend (May 21-22) to accommodate the annual Cloverdale Rodeo. Racing will resume on Friday, May 28.