HorseRacing Central – May 31st, 2013

NEW RACING SECRETARY JUMPS IN WITH BOTH FEET

The west coast rain is one thing … learning the ropes in a new role is another. Whichever way you look at, the latest member of the Hastings Racecourse management team has been getting his feet wet since his arrival in Vancouver this week.

Stuart Slagle, 45, was appointed Racing Secretary at Hastings Racecourse in early May by Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing and General Manager at Hastings. Slagle gets his first taste of live racing action this weekend with the regular Saturday and Sunday 1:50 p.m. start times.

“Stuart brings some extensive experience within the racing industry,” Mutti says.  “He has worked at a number of race tracks throughout the U.S. and we’re looking forward to his input at Hastings.”

Slagle is also looking forward to the input of Matt Jukich, named Assistant Racing Secretary who will continue his previous duties as Racing Analyst.

“One of the things I have to work on is my understanding of the personalities of the local horsemen and what kind of horses fit at Hastings,” Slagle said. “I’ll be drawing on Matt’s knowledge of racing throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE PROGRAM JUNE 7

Slagle gets his initial taste of the popular Friday Night Live feature on June 7, the first of 11 Friday Night cards (7 p.m.) that leads into next weekend’s ‘Spring Into Summer” promotion highlighted by four $50,000 stake races on Sunday, June 9. With special Guest Decorators on hand for each of the stakes, Hastings will be a beehive of activity with the Sir Winston Churchill, River Rock Casino, Emerald Downs and Vancouver Sun Handicap offering a total of $200,000 in purses.

BELMONT STAKES – WATCH IT AT HASTINGS JUNE 8

Post positions will be drawn next Wednesday for the 145th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8 that will be shown at Hastings on the jumbo screen with a 3:36 p.m. (PDT) post time. Kentucky Derby winner Orb and Preakness winner Oxbow are expected to be the morning line favourites.