By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The passing of Bill Konyk at 88 last Tuesday has left his racing ‘family’ shaken, not to mention his multitude of friends, fans and customers who adoringly knew him by his self-adopted nickname Hunky Bill. This year would have been his 53rd happily greeting PNE…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The popular ESPN sports television show ‘Pardon the Interruption’ comes to mind at this time of year when the PNE Fair annually creates an adjustment to the routine of regular horse racing fans at Hastings. But when you look at the big picture, it…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: When photographer Ralph Bower summoned the jockeys for a group photo with visiting Mario Gutierrez prior to the start of racing on BC Cup Day at Hastings last Monday, it hit home just how thin the rider ranks are these days. Among the missing were…
Vancouver, B.C. (August 5/19) — It was difficult to determine who was having more fun on the PNE grounds during BC Day Monday afternoon: the squealing revellers enjoying the rides at Playland or the vast combinations of horse owners, trainers and jockeys who spent BC Cup Day sharing the winner’s circle at Hastings Racecourse. It…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The phrase ‘whirl wind visit’ doesn’t do justice to the tornado-like stopover Mario Gutierrez pulled off to be at Hastings Monday afternoon for BC Cup Day. Mario rode Kingly to victory Sunday at Del Mar in the featured $150,000 La Jolla Handicap. Later that night…
By Darren MacDonald General Manager, Director of BC Racing We have officially passed the halfway mark of our 2019 thoroughbred racing season and today’s BC Cup Day 10-race card marks the beginning of what we anticipate will be a fascinating second-half schedule at Hastings Racecourse. Heading into this weekend our on-track and all-sources…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Emcee Dan Jukich said it best during his opening remarks at Monday’s BC Cup Day Horsemen’s Golf Tournament. Referring to the surprise visit of seriously injured jockey Jeffery Burningham to Hastings Racecourse the previous day and the emotional reaction from everyone on the grounds, Jukich…
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The Canucks Alumni, BC Lions, Whitecaps FC and Hastings Racecourse are once again helping to raise funds for charity this year through Sports Alumni Day at the Races. Today’s silent auction says it all. Up for grabs are ‘Ultimate Game Experiences’ and the very word…