Vancouver, B.C. (May 22/17) – In the country music industry it’s called “star power” and Monday it worked like a charm at both Hastings Racecourse and Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
A special guest in the winner’s circle moments after Daz Lin Dawn captured the $50,000 Ross McLeod stakes at Hastings was celebrated Vancouver country music singer and songwriter Aaron Pritchett.
A few hours later in Music City USA, a lady he knows and admires – Trisha Yearwood – was signing the national anthem to kick-start the Nashville Predators’ history-making win over the Anaheim Ducks to advance to the NHL Stanley Cup Final.
“I’ve known Aaron dating back to when he was a DJ at Rooster’s Cabaret in Pitt Meadows,’ said Paul Caravetta, one of the JDP Holdings owners of Daz Lin Dawn along with Delton Stable and trainer Nancy Betts. “We were hoping he’d bring us a little luck.”
One year ago Pritchett was appearing with Trisha Yearwood and husband Garth Brooks at back-to-back concerts in Saskatoon. Pritchett, who plays hockey with the Vancouver Canucks Alumni, hasn’t ruled out making a quick trip to Nashville to be part of the Stanley Cup craze.
Daz Lin Dawn, purchased by the Caravetta group for $15,000 at the 2014 CTHS Yearling Sale, was coming off another $50,000 stakes win in the BC Cup Dogwood, her first start of the season on April 30. “She is one of the strongest 3-year-old fillies I’ve ever ridden,” said jockey Richard Hamel, which is saying a lot from the four-time leading jockey at Hastings.
Daz Lin Dawn beat last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Yukon Belle by a solid 6 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:17.15 in the six and one-half furlong dash that opened the Victoria Day holiday card.
Again the combination of owner Peter Redekop and trainer Phil Hall hit the spotlight in Monday’s $50,000 Jim Coleman Province with A.P. Zona ridden smartly by Enrique Gonzalez.
A.P. Zona was making his Hastings debut after being claimed by Redekop last month at Santa Anita. “I really didn’t know what to expect,” Hall said. “But he didn’t have any trouble with the turns. Our plan was just to go with him.”
A.P. Zona completed the six and one half furlongs for 3-year-old colts and geldings in a final time of 1:16.46. Fall At Last, trained by Greg Tracy, an overwhelming morning line favourite, was the early leader but finished third.
Live racing resumes at Hastings Saturday and Sunday with 1:50 p.m. starts.
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Darren MacDonald