HorseRacing Central – May 24th, 2013

FIRST HOLIDAY MONDAY CARD A BIG HIT

Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing and General Manager at Hastings Racecourse, was delighted with the way things developed last weekend with three consecutive days of live racing for the first time this season.

The Holiday Monday celebrating Victoria Day in British Columbia resulted in the biggest day at the mutuels so far this year.  “Our on-track handle was up 33 per cent,” Mutti said.  “Overall, we were up 25 per cent.”

Both Victoria Day stake races provided exciting finishes for the huge holiday crowd on hand.  Herbie D won the $50,000 John Longden 6000 for trainer Rob Gilker with Amadeo Perez in the saddle.  Evelyn’s Dancer went gate-to-wire in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn for trainer Troy Taylor and leading rider Aaron Gryder.

The holiday gathering cheered lustily when Yes He’s Trouble won the fifth race for trainer Pedro Alvarado.  The popular jockey who retired at the end of last season with 1,008 career riding wins at Hastings found himself in the winner’s circle for the first time as a trainer.

INTRIGUING SATURDAY & SUNDAY CARDS

Rockin Cherokee will be in good hands for Saturday’s feature in the sixth race.  Trained by Troy Taylor and ridden by Aaron Gryder, Rockin Cherokee is expected to be the favourite in an eight-horse field for 3-year-olds and up.

Sunday’s feature is a $25,000 claiming race with a seven-horse field and Pop Artist, trained by Dino Condilenios for Swift Thoroughbreds, will be the morning line favourite with Frank Fuentes in the irons.   Two-time stakes winner Ganbei, trained Mel Snow, will be a threat along with Mia’s Miracle for trainer Monica Russell.

The Saturday and Sunday cards start at 1:50 p.m.

MEMORIAL DAY IN THE U.S.A

All of the major race tracks throughout the U.S. will be active on Monday, Memorial Day.  Simulcast coverage at all of the regular outlets will be available with Hastings Racecourse opening its doors at 9 a.m.