By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: As this 2017 thoroughbred racing season winds down, the competitive juices of our infamous three Hastings Handicappers begin to hit uncontrollable levels. Not that they require further introductions but for the record, we’re talking about Randy Goulding of the Daily Racing Form and the two Derby…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Mexican-born apprentice jockey Jose Mariano Asencio has a message for his friends and fans that nobody can put into words better than the courageous and charming 20-year-old himself: “I am doing very well. Better every day. I am walking without crutches and have no more pain.…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: It was a homecoming of sorts for Howard Jones last Sunday when he returned to Hastings Racecourse in an official capacity for the first time in 10 years. Back in the day his business card was imprinted with the words: “Producer/Director/Cameraman for the local Sport…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Nick and Pauline Felicella had completed their homework two days before this year’s CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale and pretty well knew what horses they would be purchasing if all went according to plan. What they didn’t prepare for was Nick being taken away by…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: In Saturday’s live racing program it was pointed out that there was some intrigue behind the history of the George Royal statue that stands so proudly in the paddock at Hastings. It seems the story behind the live-sized sculpture is not clear to many of our…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: There was a moment in the early evening of a recent Friday Night Live card when the statue of legendary thoroughbred George Royal looked particularly stunning. With the setting sun glistening over the paddock area, the life-sized sculpture of the greatest B.C.-bred in history never looked…
Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 9/17) – It wasn’t quite a line dance by the jubilant owners of Chief Know It All because they were strewn all over the winner’s circle. But ask the Edmonton invaders if they care. Chief Know It All survived a heart-stopping finish at Hastings Racecourse Saturday afternoon to capture the 72nd running…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Wendy Long and husband Steve Nemetz are the proud owners of three retired Hastings horses that they board in South Langley and ride 3-5 times a week. One of them – 18-year-old Laddie – is described by Wendy as “the sweetest little guy … he wouldn’t…