HorseRacing Central June 6, 2008

STANDING ON THE DOORSTEP TO STARDOM

The countdown is spellbinding. Racing fans the world over will be watching Saturday in anticipation of witnessing history as Big Brown attempts to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

Not since Affirmed pulled it off in 1978 has a horse won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Dating back to 1919, only 10 others have accomplished the amazing feat.

And now there is Big Brown, installed as the 2-5 favourite to win the 140th running of the $1 million Belmont ‘Run for the Carnations’. It is the last and the longest leg of the Triple Crown … 1 ½ miles around the legendary Belmont oval.

Can he do it? Can he add that elusive third jewel to the Triple Crown? I polled some of my fellow racing analysts to get their thoughts:

Kent Gilchrist (Vancouver Province) – “I don’t know how anyone couldn’t be expecting Big Brown to win. He bowled me over with his Kentucky Derby victory from post position 20. You have to be an exceptional colt to pull that off!”

Tom Wolski (The Sport of Kings) -- “I really believe we’re about to watch racing history. Horses like Big Brown come along once in a lifetime.”

Randy Goulding (Daily Racing Form) – “If Big Brown runs his usual race they aren’t going to beat him. The only real possibility for an upset is Casino Drive. Big Brown has been extremely impressive in all of his races.”

Dan Jukich (Hastings Track Announcer) – “Without much pace in the race Big Brown should be able to get a comfortable spot. Patience will be the key. Like UPS, Big Brown will deliver.”

Me? I concur. Big Brown worked an easy five-eighths in 1:00 flat in his Tuesday morning workout. There won’t be a lot of early speed Saturday and having drawn the rail, he’s likely to be on the lead and out of trouble and could go wire-to-wire.

BRITISH COLUMBIA WILL BE WATCHING

With the race set to go at 3:25 p.m., racing fans throughout the province get a chance to watch the Belmont Stakes at more than 20 B.C. Racebook locations, including Hastings Racecourse, Fraser Downs, The Derby Bar and Grill and Schanks Sports Grill in the Lower Mainland.

With the $50,000 John Longden 6000 Stakes headlining Saturday’s live racing card at Hastings following simulcast coverage of the Belmont, the place is going to be hopping. Get there early and be sure to enter our special Triple Crown contest that could result in some lucky patron winning $3,333. Check out the details at Guest Services.

Fraser Downs is feeling the Belmont fever, too. Because the last Triple Crown winner was in 1978, breakfast and lunch prices have been rolled back to that era. If you’re quite ready for this: a 99-cent breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a $1.99 lunch from noon to 2 p.m. will be served at Fraser and there will be a $1,000 draw should Big Brown win the Triple Crown. If he wins by 10 or more lengths, the pot will increase to $5,000. There will only be one draw and you must be in attendance to claim the prize within 15 minutes.

KA-CHING, KA-CHING: LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

As legendary Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play broadcaster Bob Cole would say: “Oh, Baby! Wow!”
A player at Hastings Racecourse this week was the lone winner in North America of the Pick 6 at Hollywood Park, cashing a ticket for a whopping $106,000. Oh, Baby! This gigantic windfall comes on the heels of both Hastings and Fraser Downs having winners of more than $100,000 on the BC Gold progressive slot machines. Wow!

MORE MONEY UP FOR GRABS

Hastings continues to give its customers a chance to cash in on our special Renovations Rally. Sign up for a BC Gold or HPI Card at Hastings, or show that you are a current cardholder, and you’ll be entered to win a $5,000 Home Renovation Gift Card. Daily hot seat draws on the Gaming Floor also provide a chance to win $25 Home Renovation Gift Cards. Hot seat draws are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The final draw is Sunday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m. and you have to be in attendance to win. Not a BC Cardholder yet? Just by enrolling at Hastings, you can win $500 up until June 30.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Look out, Toronto. A true champion named True Metropolitan has his eyes on the $150,000 Eclipse Stakes this weekend at Woodbine and with respected jockey Jim McAleney in the irons, he should be the favourite in the 1 1/16th mile journey. With owner Bob Cheema and trainer Terry Jordan being the competitors they are, last year’s third-place finish in the Eclipse has left them on a mission.

Peter Redekop’s Star Prospector easily won the $50,000 Hoofprint On My Heart Stakes in Calgary last weekend, leading throughout and finishing the mile in 1:40.40 over sloppy conditions.

Kelowna resident Charles Fipke’s Not Bourbon just lasted by a neck to win the $150,000 Plate Trial. He finished the nine furlongs in 1:49.73 and will be one of the favourites in the $1 million Queens Plate on June 22. Mr. Fipke has Tale of Ekati in the Belmont Stakes and all reports indicate that the horse has prepped well. He’ll run from the number seven post. I don’t mind saying it: Go Canada Go!

IF FATHER KNOWS BEST HE’LL BE ON HAND

Both Hastings and Fraser Downs have come up with special Father’s Day celebrations that will create memories for a lifetime. Lower Mainland Steel is back for a second straight year with its fabulous Hole-In-One Contest, co-sponsored by Perfect Lies on Sunday, June 15. There’ll be $119,000 up for grabs if one of the competing Dads can score an ace from our tee box in front of the tote board on the infield at Hastings. On Saturday, June 14 some lucky Dad will win a fishing trip for two at the world-famous St. John’s Fishing Lodge.

FAST TRACKING …

Information Children, a non-profit society, is hosting a buffet lunch at the Grandstand Patio Terrace at Hastings on Saturday, July 12 beginning at 12:30 noon. Tickets are $50 for the mouth-watering buffet and an opportunity to win a whole bunch of terrific door prizes. A charitable receipt will be issued upon request. Call Diane Van Dyke at 604.936.0338.