HorseRacing Central May 9, 2008

NICE TO HEAR: SAFETY FIRST

Those were comforting words from Hastings trainer John Snow earlier this week when Vancouver Sun reporter Lyndon Little wrote an article about how the horse racing industry in general is committed to keeping the number of equine breakdowns as low as possible.

It was a follow-up article to the tragic events of last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby when Eight Belles broke down shortly after crossing the finish line in second place behind Big Brown.
Eight Belles was quickly euthanized after it was determined she had suffered breaks to both the ankles on her front legs.

“I’ve raced at different tracks around North America,” Snow said. “I know the management at Hastings puts a premium on making the racing as safe as possible. They’re very concerned.”

Hastings Racecourse GM Raj Mutti added: “We’ve instituted in the past few seasons something we call our pre-race vet check. In the morning of a racing day we have a veterinarian do an inspection of every horse that’s going to race that day. The vet has the full authority to rule out any horse he doesn’t feel is fit to race.”

HERE’S ‘WHAT’S HOT’

Every race card has what an analyst calls his “best bet” and the one I’ll share with you right here and now is from Saturday’s $50,000 Brighouse Belles Stakes at Hastings, the 8th race on the afternoon’s card. I’m picking HOLY NOVA, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by Pure Prize purchased at Belmont last year by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella after winning an entry level optional $75,000 claimer. The intention at the time was to have her ready for the 2007 BC Oaks but those plans were foiled when she suffered an eye injury soon after arriving at Hastings.

The Brighouse Belles lineup shows the depth of the filly and mare division. WIND STORM won her last three sprints in 2007; PAT OF GOLD certainly deserves a look and the rest of the field includes stakes winners ALPINE GARDEN, SUVA and NAPA, as well as YOOROCK GAL and TAMARINDA. It’ll be a fun race to watch.

PREAKNESS UPDATE

Big Brown’s connections remain as confident as ever as they head to Baltimore as the overwhelming Preakness favourite. Trainer Rick Dutrow was quoted as saying: “His fitness and stamina are not an issue to me so I’ll just keep him in light training for about a week then breeze him a bit a couple of days before the race. He’ll be good to go.”

The field will likely be nine or 10 starters so the post position won’t be as cruel to Big Brown, who ran from the 20 post in the Kentucky Derby. Big Brown looks to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. You can watch the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 17th on all of our regular simulcast telecasts and TBC outlets.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

These results can go under the heading: “Promising Maiden Winners”. K.K Sangara’s Wink At The Girls launched a great out-of-town scoreboard for local owners by winning a maiden allowance event at Hollywood Park. Three more no-tag maiden winners came romping home at Woodbine: Bob Cheema’s Zounds cruised to an easy win, as did Bud Malette’s Drunken Love and K.K. Sangara’s Dancingall Theway won his first 3-year-old start.

Dancing Allstar began her 2008 season with an easy 5 ½-length win over the previously undefeated Little Missallison in the $50,000 Mount Royal Stakes at Stampede Park. One day earlier in Calgary, Peter Redekop’s Star Prospector was caught near the finish line in the $50,000 President’s Handicap but was later disqualified and placed 10th for interference going into the first turn.

WHAT’S AHEAD

Lots of exciting stuff: Recent acquisition Gotaghostofachance makes his first start for owner Bob Cheema and trainer Terry Jordan at Woodbine Saturday as he takes on tough $62,500 optional claiming company. Mike and John Young’s Klinsmans Luck trained by Steve Henson will try for her second consecutive victory against $12,500 claimers going six furlongs while K.K. Sangara and Lorne Richards send out Coosa, their $62,500 claim at Gulfstream Park in mid-February.

BIG PURSES AT FRASER DOWNS

Plenty of purse money is up for grabs on Friday’s May 9 card that is highlighted by a pair of $100,000 Stallion Stake finals. In Race 6 for 3-year-old fillies Al Anderson will harness Tequilaornot and Smoke A Few, who’s won four of eight starts this year and if she can get a clear path from the second row she will be the one to beat.

The colts will take the spotlight in Race 11 with Brent Beelby and Robert Murphy teaming up with the pair of Red Star Wildcard and Red Star Tomahawk. Last year’s 2-year-old champ Royal Morn has drawn the farthest post with owner Rod Therres handling the reigns. Therres co-owns Royal Morn with Charlie McFarlane.

HORSE OWNERS WORKSHOP

The BC Standardbred Breeders Society will be operating an owners workshop at Fraser Downs in the Homestretch Restaurant commencing at noon on Saturday (May 10). Light refreshments will be served and admission is free.

The program has been designed to attrack new horse owners to the industry. Guest speakers will be Harold Howe, editor of The Harness Edge magazine and local horse racing journalist Jim Reynolds. Trainers will also be present to answer any questions in relation to ownership and training fees.

THREE-DAY WEEKEND COMING UP

Our first Holiday Weekend is just around the corner with llive racing going Saturday, May 17, Sunday, May 18 and Victoria Day, May 19 with the regular 1:25 p.m. starting times. You can also watch for the return of the popular Racing Gold Sheet that weekend. Coming soon, too, will be the Super High 5, allowing B.C. horseplayers to wager the major carry-overs throughout North America. More information will be forthcoming.

FAST TRACKING …

Len Mohr of Port Coquitlam will be off to the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Oct. 24 after having his name drawn at Hastings Racecourse on opening weekend. The fabulous trip for two, courtesy of VIP Travel, includes airfare, hotel and transfers … By picking the winner of the Preakness next Saturday and the winner of our Emerald Downs Stakes at Hastings, some lucky patron has a chance to win $1000 … The Lucky Horseshoe contest at Hastings is valid until Sunday, May 18. Free coupons and entry ballots will appear in the Vancouver Province all next week … Mother’s Day at Hastings Sunday will see the first 200 women who go through the main reception area receive a special gift and there will also be a draw to win a spa hotel package … A reminder that there won’t be any live racing at Fraser Downs on May 16, 17, 23 and 24 because of the annual Cloverdale Rodeo. Live racing resumes on Friday, May 30 and continues until June 28 on Friday and Saturday nights … Every Tuesday a special Blackjack Tournament is hosted by Fraser Downs starting at 11 a.m. The buy-in is just $20 and more information is available at guest services.