HorseRacing Central – Friday, September 20th, 2013

NINE RACING DATES REMAIN ON HASTINGS CALENDAR

The 2013 thoroughbred season is approaching the finish line at Hastings Racecourse with only nine dates left on a schedule that ends Monday, October 14.  The countdown begins this weekend with back-to-back eight-race cards Saturday and Sunday with the regular 1:50 p.m. start times.

“As we wind down there is still $450,000 in purse money on the table with six more stakes races on the schedule,” said Racing Secretary Stuart Slagle.  “We’ve billed October 14 as Autumn Championship Day featuring the $100,000 Premiers Handicap, $100,000 Ballerina, the $75,000 Fantasy and $75,000 Ascot Graduation.”

The $50,000 CTHS Sales stakes for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-old colts and geldings are set for Sunday, September 29.

WINNING STREAKS ON THE LINE THIS WEEKEND

Iscar, trained by Dino Condilenios and owned by Swift Thoroughbreds, goes for his fourth straight win in Saturday’s $20,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles.

In Sunday’s featured unrestricted allowance race Pine Walk chases her fourth consecutive win for trainer William La Vanway with stablemate Courtroom Kiss going after three wins in a row.   The 6 ½ furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies drew six horses with the likely favourite being trainer Sylvea Gregory’s Lady Henrietta.

HALL OF FAMER JOE KIRK TO BE HONOURED SUNDAY

The concept of recognizing BC Racing Hall of Fame individuals and horses that was introduced earlier this summer has proven to be a popular addition to Sunday afternoon cards.

The late Joe Kirk will be honoured Sunday with his son Dave representing the distinguished breeder and owner whose great stallion Winning Shot was awarded the Sire of Excellence in 1974. Winning Shot had been the leading sire in B.C. in through the 1970’s. Joe and his wife Hazel were highly successful breeders for many years dating back to the 1950’s.

Hall of Fame individuals saluted thus far have included Harold and Frank Barroby, Archie McDonald, Merv Peters, Ronnie Williams, Angus MacPherson, Cy Anderson, Alan Jack, Brian Johnson and Scotty Hughes.  Horse honoured have been Lord Nelson, Dark Hawk and Quality Quest, with Bold Laddie completing the list on Sunday, September 29.

B.C. NATIVE CASIE COLEMAN IN THE LIMELIGHT AGAIN

As track announcer Dan Jukich points out, “it’s a long way from the high school on the hill above Fraser Downs” but B.C.-born standardbred trainer Casie Coleman was centre stage again this week. Coleman won her second straight Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fair in Ohio with Vegas Vacation in a winning time of 1:50.  Cassie won last year’s edition with Michael’s Power.

Racing at Fraser Downs continues with 12 races Friday and 10 on Sunday with start times at 7:00 p.m