HorseRacing Central – Friday, June 28th, 2013

CANADA DAY WEEKEND LIVE RACE CARD REDUCED

Hastings Racecourse & Slots advises racing fans that the upcoming Canada Day live racing weekend will be reduced with the cancellation of the Saturday, June 29 card.  Simulcast and off-track wagering will be open and available as usual.

In agreement with representatives of the Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association (HBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), Hastings Racecourse management made the decision to cancel Saturday’s card due to a shortage of entries.

The Canada Day race weekend will commence on Sunday, June 30 and continue with live thoroughbred racing on Monday, July 1 – Canada Day – with an eight-race card on Sunday and 10 races on Monday both with 1:50 p.m. starts.

The Canada Day card features four $50,000 stakes races: the Lt. Governors for 3-year-olds and up; Supernaturel for 3-year-old fillies; the Monoshee for fillies and mares; and the Chris Loseth for 3-year-olds.

The shortage of race-ready horses has also resulted in the cancellation of the Friday Night Live card on July 5.  Hastings Racecourse & Slots apologizes to patrons for any inconvenience these cancellations may cause.

LEADING JOCKEY & TRAINER STANDINGS GET TIGHTER

By riding three winners last Sunday, Amadeo Perez has suddenly become a threat to bound into the lead in the 2013 Jockey Standings. Perez, who won the title last year, currently has 23 wins following his  ‘natural hat-trick’ in Races 3, 4 and 5 Sunday on S R Rocketman, Uniqua and Forever Me. Perez trails leading veteran riders Frank Fuentes (25 wins) and Aaron Gryder (24 wins) heading into the Sunday/Monday Canada Day weekend cards.

Craig MacPherson and Dino Condilenios are closing the gap in the Trainer Standings, each having won 15 races this year.  Hall of Famer Troy Taylor maintains the lead with 19 wins and $349,410 in purse earnings.

BUT CAN SHE SING?

Robin Reichman, one of the stars of television’s Real Housewives of Vancouver, has become quite a fan of thoroughbred racing and is a frequent visitor to Hastings Racecourse.  An accomplished equestrian rider, Robin has joined the Troy Taylor Stable at Hastings and has taken ownership of a 3-year-old filly named Pine Walk.  Net proceeds of Pine Walk winnings at Hastings Racecourse will be donated to the New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society.

But can the lady sing?  Racing fans will find out on Canada Day when she performs our National Anthem prior to Monday’s parade to the post.