By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Today marks the official halfway mark of this 2017 thoroughbred season at Hastings Racecourse. One year ago this weekend Richard Hamel was leading the jockey standings with 47 wins; Mike Anderson led his training rivals by sending 18 horses to the winner’s circle and Swift Thoroughbreds…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Veteran journalist Bob Mackin showed up for the wiener dog races last weekend bearing a nostalgic gift in the form of a July 15, 2000 racing program from what was then known as ‘Hastings Park Racecourse’. What practically jumped off Page 3 was a large black…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: Hastings Racecourse GM Darren MacDonald was the bearer of good news when he paid Nick Felicella a visit on a rainy Tuesday afternoon this past January. And what better place to deliver the message than Nick’s Spaghetti House on Commercial Drive? That’s where Mr. Felicella…
DetailsBy Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport SCENE & HEARD: The return of the Wiener Dog Races can mean only one thing: Hastings Racecourse is officially – and happily – looking forward to its very own “spring into summer” mode. With the recent nasty weather behind us, our ‘darling little dachshunds’ (as TSN Radio’s Brook…
DetailsBy 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…
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