By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: A week from Sunday, July 16 – the champion of the 9th annual Wiener Dog Races at Hastings Racecourse will be crowned and track announcer Dan Jukich will gladly file his script away for another year that begins with: “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your wieners!” The…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: There was no mistaking the distinguished-looking man in the black fedora sitting in Silks at Hastings Racecourse on Canada Day. Bill Chisholm, honoured member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, was a guest of Felix Ayarra, one-time horse owner who’s daughter Rebecca is Mrs.…
DetailsVancouver, B.C. (July 2/17) — It’s weird how this works. Snuggles, trained by affable Dino Condilenios, is noted for her belligerent behaviour prior to a race. Then there’s Victress with an engaging attitude trained by stone-faced Robert Gilker, a man of few words. It’s almost as if the roles should be reversed. Gilker, who also…
DetailsVancouver, B.C. (July 1/17) – It was a Happy Canada Day for the huge crowd at Hastings Racecourse Saturday and even happier for jockey Richard Hamel. Veteran thoroughbred patrons were left shaking their heads wondering, “what’s with this guy?” after Hamel rode four winners Saturday to go along with the four he won the previous…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The Canada Day 150 celebrations at Hastings Racecourse were launched in fine form Saturday and continue today with the running of the $75,000 Monashee in Race 4 on this afternoon’s card. Seasoned track patrons don’t have to be reminded about Monashee, one of the best…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Dixie Jacobson is our very own real-life Happy Face emoji. The Hall of Fame owner and breeder was wearing “that look” again last Sunday when Dixie and husband Roy celebrated Sedin’s first win of the season with their son-in-law and trainer Mark Cloutier. Dixie’s ever-present…
DetailsTHE BEAT GOES ON FOR DAZ LIN DAWN IN $50,000 EMERALD DOWNS HANDICAP Vancouver, B.C. (June 25/17) – There wasn’t much dazzling about Daz Lin Dawn’s $2.20 payoff for a winning ticket Sunday afternoon at Hastings Racecourse. But it clearly didn’t bother part owner and trainer Nancy Betts to see the star of her stable…
DetailsVancouver, B.C. (June 24/17) – At the conclusion of last year Phil Hall ranked seventh overall in the final trainers standings at Hastings Racecourse. After 66 starts, he had made an honest but modest 17 trips to the winner’s circle. Today, after just 17 race dates into the 2017 season, Hall has been part of…
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