HorseRacing Central – May 10th, 2013

 

THE LATE ROSS McLEOD TO BE REMEMBERED SATURDAY

The 2nd running of the $50,000 Ross McLeod Stakes for 3-year-old fillies will dominate the spotlight in an eight-horse field Saturday at Hastings Racecourse.  Mr. McLeod was the founder of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, the parent company of Hastings Racecourse.  He was a compassionate horse owner and a great friend of racing.

Goldstryke Glory has been listed as a morning line co-favourite (2-1) as she makes her Hastings debut for trainer Anita Bolton.  Jockey Scott Williams will ride Goldstryke Glory Saturday as she makes her Hastings debut after having raced three times at Woodbine last year and finishing second to Leinan in the $155,000 Glorious Song.

Goldstryke Glory faces some stiff competition in the 6 ½ furlong sprint with the likes of I Think So (8-5) and I Want to Dust Her (9-2).  I Think So won a $40,000 maiden claiming race on Feb. 21 at Fair Grounds and finished second to Tread in a $50,000 optional claimer on March 21. It was following that race when Glen Todd made a private purchase, which means this year’s leading rider Aaron Gryder will get the call.

I Want to Dust Her, trained by Lenore Dubois, was named 2-year-old filly Champion last year after winning the Sadie Diamond and Fantasy (dq’d) with Richard Hamel in the irons and returning to ride her Saturday.

A six-horse field is set for Sunday’s $50,000 Jim Coleman Province for 3-year-olds with Bridge Jumper listed as the 2-1 favourite but there is ample talent involved as is indicated by the rest of the morning line odds:  Proud Victor (3-1), I’m Not Gray (4-1), Glenco Kid (7-2), Tracker (9-2) and Stormin for Becka (6-1).

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE RACING BEGINS JUNE 7

The first of 11 Friday Night Live cards is scheduled for June 7 with two to follow in the same month (June 14 & 21); four in July (5. 12. 19. 26) and four in August (9, 16, 23 & 30).

FRANK FUENTES SETS CAREER MILESTONE

One of the most respected riders to cross the Hastings Racecourse threshold has been Frank Fuentes since arriving in Vancouver in 1987.  The 53-year-old Fuentes rode his 1,500th career win last Saturday aboard Go for Guiness.  Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Fuentes began his career on the Southern California circuit in 1983 and accepted an invitation by the late Jack Diamond to join the jockey colony at Exhibition Park 26 years ago.

Fuentes has won 104 stakes races in Vancouver, the latest being the $50,000 George Royal aboard Shrug on April 28 for trainer Dino Condilenios, who has high praise for the man:  “Frank is the ultimate professional.  Over and above his riding ability, he is just a great person and we’ve become very good friends.  He’s one of the good guys.”

GOSAILGO IN HASTINGS HANDICAP AT EMERALD DOWNS

The start of the 2013 stakes schedule at Emerald Downs is set for Sunday (6:09 p.m.) and a local stakes winner – Gosailgo – will tackle seven others in the $50,000 feature for older fillies and mares.  Trained by Robbie Anderson, Gosailgo won the BC Cup Dogwood at Hastings last year.

On the heels of the best 3-year-olds competing in the Kentucky Derby last Saturday, a field of 11 will line up in the $200,000 Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont on Saturday (2:17 p.m PST).  Saturday is also opening day of the extended Monmouth meet on the Jersey Shores.

Next weekend (May 17-18) is Preakness weekend. Pimlico has many stakes races on the card Friday and both Hastings and Fraser Downs will carry the Pimlico Special Preakness Daily Double.  The wager starts with the 12th race on Friday.  Local punters will be able to play 20-cent Superfectas with a minimum bet of $1.60 Pick 4’s and Pick 5’s.

FINAL WEEKEND AT SPRING MEET AT FRASER DOWNS

A couple of jam-packed cards Friday and Saturday will mark the conclusion of the spring meet at Fraser Downs Racetrack.  There are 13 races on the Friday night card and 12 set for Saturday, both with 7:00 p.m. starts.  The standardbreds return on Aug. 15 to launch the second-half of the 2013 season.