HorseRacing Central June 19, 2008

SHOWVIVOR: A CHANCE TO WIN $3,000

Technically, our Hastings 2008 Showvivor Contest runs from Saturday, June 21 through to Sunday, November 2. Realistically, it could be over well before that!

Here’s how it works: Open to B.C. residents 19 years of age and older, the contest period runs from Saturday, June 21, 2008 to November 2, 2008 … or – and this is important – the contest will end when there is just one person left standing.

Contestants can register, at no charge, beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20 and select one horse from the Saturday live racing card at Hastings where show betting is available. That chosen horse can finish no worse than third. If successful on Day 1 by having your horse finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the contestant advances to Day 2 and so on, with the contestant (or contestants) surviving the longest at the end of the contest winning (or sharing) the $3,000 top prize in wagering vouchers. The last 10 showvivors win a Race Track Experience for Two at Hastings.

Are you up for the challenge? All entries must be submitted by email to 2008Showvivor@hastingsracecourse.com or by hand in the Main Lobby Reception at Hastings by 1 p.m. each day of live racing, starting June 21. One entry per person and duplicate entries will be cause for disqualification of all involved entries.

Can you survive Showvivor? Go ahead: give it a shot.

WEST COAST HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE

Oh, you’re going to love this: the West Coast Handicapping Challenge. It’s new and believe me, it’s exciting.

If you are the best handicapper on the West Coast then this is your chance to prove it on Saturday, June 21. Players at Hollywood Park, Golden Gate, Emerald Downs and Hastings Racecourse face off in a real money tournament.

Watch your $200 bankroll grow by wagering on the four participating tracks and keep your earnings. You could win a trip to Hollywood Park and $7,500 entry into the $65,000 Gold Cup Challenge.

Rules and regulations are available on our website: hastingsracecourse.com

BACK-TO-BACK CTHS SALES STAKES

Graduates of the 2006 CTHS Sale will be in the spotlight this weekend at Hastings Racecourse with the fillies division running Saturday and colts and geldings on Sunday.

Mrs. Val Hiebert from Bent Tree Farm – leading breeder in 2007 – will be decorating both stakes and everyone at Hastings is delighted to have her present for both races.

Bob Cheema’s Dancing Allstar is expected to be an overwhelming favourite Saturday. The top 2-year-old filly in Canada last year, Dancing Allstar has victories in the Mount Royal Stakes in Calgary and Emerald Downs at Hastings this season. She was scheduled to run in the $125,000 Alberta Derby against the boys but when the races were cancelled a week prior because of unsafe track conditions, Cheema and trainer Terry Jordan opted to go for the CTHS Sales Stake. This will be Dancing Allstars 10th lifetime start and with a victory her earnings would go over the $400,000 mark.

Peter Redekop’s Star Prospector was B.C.’s 2-year-old male champion last year after winning three stakes races: CTHS Sales, New Westminster and BC Cup Dogwood. Also under trainer Terry Jordan, it’s anticipated that Star Prospector will go to Sunday’s post as the favourite.

RACING FOUR DAYS IN A ROW

It’s the only time this year when fans can enjoy four consecutive days of racing at Hastings: Saturday, June 28; Sunday, June 29; Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1 – Canada Day, first race all 4 days is 1:25pm.

“Reminds me of the old days,” says long-time Vancouver Sun racing writer Archie McDonald. “It’s certainly going to be an exciting time: a sort of throwback to the 1970’s.”

The Canada Day feature, as tradition dictates, will be the $100,000 Lt. Governors’ Handicap, won last year by popular Spaghetti Mouse.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

True Metropolitan is one of 23 nominations for the 1 ¼-mile $200,000 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine that goes on Tuesday, July 1. He was impressive (as usual) in his latest victory in the $150,000 Eclipse Stakes. Under the patient handling of Jim McAleney, True Metropolitan won by a length and a half. Other interesting nominees that might be facing True Metropolitan are Student Council (Steve Asmussen), Giant Gizmo (Bobby Frankel) and Nite Light (Todd Pletcher).

HASTINGS ON PARADE IN ALBERTA

Hastings Racecourse runners did well during the closing weekend of Stampede Park. Arkhill captured Saturday’s $125,000 Alberta Derby for owner Neville Davis and trainer Craig MacPherson, ridden by Ricky Walcott. The following day Swift Thoroughbreds’ Daymaker under trainer Dino Condilenios finished second by a neck in the $75,000 Penny Ridge. Quite an impressive performance considering it was just her second career start.

MARIO ADDS SIX MORE AS LEADING RIDER

Mario Gutierrez knew he was in for a special day last Sunday when he rode winners in the first three races at Hastings: Tribal Belle, Iceman and Trippi Bree. By the time his work was done, the Marvelous One hit the winner’s circle six times, including a victory on Lady Raj in the $55,000 Strawberry Morn. In 126 starts this season, Mario has 40 wins and earnings of $571,746.

Speaking of jockeys, one of the most popular to ever ride at Hastings in recent years was Nicola Wright, winner of the 2002 BC Derby aboard Cruisin Kat. Following an injury three years ago, ‘Nicki’ was forced to retire and has since spent time in Australia, New Zealand and England, where she is currently an instructor at a riding school. Her adoring friends and fans were pleasantly surprised to see her at Hastings last week.

QUEEN'S PLATE

This Sunday at Woodbine will be the 149th running of the $1,000,000 Queen's Plate at the demanding distance of a mile and a quarter that has drawn a huge field of 15. The winner of the Plate Trial Not Bourbon (Jono Jones) owned by Kelowna's Chuck Fipke is the 3-1 morning line favourite followed closely by the Plate Trial runner-up Solitaire (Robert Landry) at 7-2, those two were separated by only a neck after that nine furlong thriller. The colts won't have this year's Plate to themselves as the the Woodbine Oaks winner Ginger Brew (Javier Castellano) will take on her male counterparts and she is well fancied as the third choice at 4-1. Post time for the Queen's Plate is scheduled for 2:06 pm.

HPI & BC GOLD: DON’T MISS OUT!

‘Tis the season to be thinking in terms of fixing up the yard or renovating the back patio and with that thought in mind, current and new HPI and BC Gold card holders are eligible to win a $5,000 Home Renovation gift card. The final draw will be during live racing at Hastings on Sunday, June 29 and the winner will have to be in attendance to claim his or her prize. HPI cardholders have a chance to win monthly prizes such as dinner for two at Silks, free programs for a month and weekend getaways to River Rock Casino. Check out Guest Services for more information. With both HPI and BC Gold cards, there are always exciting promotions in the works that can result in thousands of bonus points.

JUST 4 LIVE DAYS LEFT AT FRASER DOWNS

Customer Appreciation Day has been set aside for Friday, June 27 at Fraser Downs as the 2007/08 harness racing season winds down with the action moving to Vancouver Island for three days in July. How much does Scott Sinclair and his staff at Fraser ‘appreciate’ the support they get?

Well, enough to offer hot dogs and hamburgers on the tarmac for just $1.00 beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the 27th. But that’s only for starters. The Friday night card will also include giveaways such as a three-night houseboat package for 15 courtesy of Twin Anchors; a fishing trip of a lifetime from St. John’s Fishing Lodge; a River Rock Experience that includes a one-night stay at the luxurious River Rock hotel; and a Hastings Racecourse guest package that features lunch for four in Silks Restaurant, quickly gaining a reputation of being one of the top dining experiences in Vancouver.

TAKING A CHANCE ON A LADY

Chancey Lady, owned by our very own Niele Jiwan, paced home a winner last Saturday in the $733,000 Fan Hanover at Mohawk. Talk about your thrills: Chancey Lady went off at 9-1 and paid $21.90 in beating a closing Artimattateslife by a half-length in 1:51.1 Driven by Ontario’s Mark MacDonald, Chancey Lady has now won three of four starts this season and the next start for this talented 3-year-old filly will be in the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final at Georgian Downs on June 28.

If all goes well, Chancey Lady could see herself behind the gate at Mohawk in the Canadian Breeders Championship eliminations and hopefully in the Final on July 26.

FAST TRACKING AT FRASER …

Alberta-based owner, trainer and driver Kelly Hoerdt has sent 10 pacers to Fraser Downs for the final four cards of the season … Northlands Park closed its standardbred season last Sunday and local horse Royal Morn – owned by Rod Therres in partnership with Charlie MacFarlane – finished fourth in the $175,000 Western Canada Pacing Derby. Royal Morn was a mere two lengths behind the winning Neil Diamonique driven by veteran Keith Clark. Fraser Downs owner Bill Boden finished sixth with Bigmizndrstdning … Final stake of the year at Fraser on June 28 in the Rising Starlet for 3-year-old fillies with $20,000 on the line.

TOM WOLSKI’S ‘SPORT OF KINGS’

Don’t miss Saturday’s edition at 11 a.m. on Citytv when Tommy interviews agent Travis (Trapper) Barroby, the Race of the Week reviews the Strawberry Morn and popular Stephanie Mercier provides her weekly starts ‘n stops with updates and inside stories.