HorseRacing Central – February 15th, 2013

 

Thoroughbred Season at Hastings Eight Weeks Away

With more than 300 horses on the grounds at Hastings Racecourse and eight weeks to go before opening weekend April 13-14, Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, can barely contain his enthusiasm.

“At this time last year we had about 200 horses in the barns,” Mutti says, “This is certainly a positive sign for our horsemen.”

Mutti and Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld decided this week to move the starting time for workouts to 7:30 a.m. as opposed to 8:00 a.m.  “That was a request from the horsemen with the sun coming up earlier now, we are happy to oblige.

Presidents’ Day Monday in the U.S.

All of the major tracks in America will be on simulcast on the three-day holiday weekend caped off by Presidents’ day on Monday.  Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby prospects will be front and centre, Baffert is seeking to dominate again at Oaklawn Park, where he swept the graded stakes for 3-year-olds last year.

Oaklawn’s feature on Monday will be the Southwest Stakes, another of the Derby prep races, Baffet has shipped in speedy allowance winner Super Ninety Nine.  At Santa Anita on Sunday Baffert will start three contenders in a six-horse field in the Grade 2 San Vincente.

Saturday’s Golden Gate feature is the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby with a field of nine going a mile and an eighth.  North Pacific, a horse that raced at Hastings as a 2-yearpold   is entered.

Black Caviar returns to the races Friday night in the 7th at Flemington Park in Australia.  The undefeated queen will be looking for her 23rd consecutive win.

Claiming Series Friday & Sunday at Fraser Downs

The eliminations for the $9,000 Spartacus claiming series (horses and geldings) continue at Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino while the $9,000 BB’s Mirage (filles and mares) is the feature on Sunday. Friday night cards begin at 7:00 p.m. while Sunday’s start is 12:45 p.m.