HorseRacing Central September 12, 2007

THEY’RE OFF & PACING!

The standardbreds return to Fraser Downs Friday, Sept. 14 for the first of 107 race dates including an Open Stakes calendar in 2007/08 that has been heralded as the richest in Western Canada.

“We’re primed and ready to go,” says Fraser Downs GM Scott Sinclair. “It’s going to be a great 10 months for our racing fans. Our staff can’t wait to get started and the horsemen have all indicated they’re keen to get back racing.”

The popular Prize Wheel returns on opening night with gift packages available including Fraser Downs merchandise, wagering vouchers and complimentary buffet tickets. The following night – Saturday, Sept. 15 – fans have a chance to win instant cash vouchers worth from $2 to $250 picked at random at self-serve and teller machines.

The Open stakes schedule begins Sept. 22 and the qualifying leg for the ‘Clash of the Pacific’ goes on the 28th prior to the Sandown Breeders Stakes on the 29th. The $100,000 final of the ‘Clash of the Pacific’ is set for Oct. 5. It’s all the start of a sensational stakes series covering 52 race dates that continues through to June, 2008.

It was announced this past summer that there would be a $350,000 influx to the horsemen’s pool, pushing the purses to approximately $1.4 million for Open and Breeder Stakes.

“The purses are spread out really well,” says David Aldred, executive director of the BC Standardbred Association and BC Standardbred Breeders Society. “There will be a lot of purses up for grabs right into June so everyone gets a shot at them.”

For the month of September racing will go on Friday and Saturday nights with starting times 7:00 p.m. Thursdays are added to the October schedule then matinee Sundays kick-in starting November 11 when the best of the BC Standardbreds are show-cased on Breeders’ Classic Day.

A complete 2007/08 schedule is available at http://www.fraserdowns.com/

PLAY THE NAME GAME

Fraser Downs patrons are welcome to enter the Name-the-Filly contest that runs from Sept. 14 to Oct. 6. The nameless filly is by Usher Hanover out of Big Shot Franco N. One rule, though: the word Hanover cannot be used in the new name.

It’s worthwhile to enter because the winner will receive a $250 betting voucher and dinner for six at the popular Clubhouse Buffet. See guest services at Fraser Downs for more information.

KEITH QUINLAN HEADING EAST

After 20 years of serving as Director of Racing at Fraser Downs, Keith Quinlan and wife Andree are looking forward to retiring to oceanfront property in Halifax where they will resume their love for boating and the outdoors.

Quinlan was driving standardbred horses at Hazel Park in Detroit when he received a call in 1978 from his boyhood chum Keith Waples, who was Track Superintendent as what was then known as Cloverdale Raceway.

After enjoying a brilliant 10-year career driving, Quinlan was offered the job as Director of Racing by the late Jim Keeling, Jr., then general manager at Fraser Downs.

“He was the ideal man for the position,” says Chuck Keeling, who eventually took over management at Fraser Downs and is now Director of Racing for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. “Keith handled everything related to the conduct and management of racing issues. He was involved in race secretary chores, track maintenance, stalls applications, backstretch issues and representing Fraser Downs to the Board of Directors with the BC Standardbred Asscociation.”

Quinlan, 57, has agreed to remain on the scene at Fraser Downs until Oct. 15.

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD AT HASTINGS

In the words of noted analyst Mike Heads: “Each September brings forth the beginning of championship races and we’ve got four premier events coming up on the calendar.”

Circle the dates Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23.

The whirlwind of activity begins on Sept. 22 with the 3-year-old fillies doing battle for the rich $125,000 purse in the BC Breeders’ Cup Oaks. The prep for the Oaks was won by Alpine Garden who beat a very stubborn Pat of Gold to win by a half-length in the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap.

That made it three straight wins for Alpine Garden since being purchased privately in Kentucky for owner Bob Cheema. Her main rivals in the Oaks will be Suva, Napa and Alberta’s top filly Tanika.

The action hardly stops there because the $50,000 Delta Colleen is also on the Saturday card that could see the return of Monashee to Hastings after two comfortable victories in Alberta last month. With Starlite Strike on the sidelines, the field will probably be small that could include Slewpast, Socorro County, Lady Raj, Galica and the rapidly improving Princess Alex.

AND THEN … THE $250,000 DERBY!

“If you see only one race this year,” says Raj Mutti, Director of Operations at Hastings, “make it this one!”

He is speaking, of course, about Sunday, Sept. 23 and the prestigious $250,000 BC Breeders’ Cup Derby which will bring about the first meeting of two true and talented champions Ookashada and Sir Gallovic.

Ookashada finished third in the $300,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park and maintains his status as one of the most exciting stakes winners ever to grace Hastings Racecourse. Sir Gallovic crushed his rivals in two straight brilliant performances in extremely quick times since arriving at Hastings.

The Canadian Derby winner Footprint is also considering crossing the Rockies to make an appearance in the BC Derby, as is K.K. Sangara’s Celtic Dreamin from southern California.

The Sunday, Sept. 23 card also features the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill for older runners going 1 1/8 miles. Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella will be headlining the race with the duo of Winter Warning and Act of God, first and second, respectively, in the $50,000 Randall Plate on Labour Day.

They will likely be the favourites with Spaghetti Mouse opting to skip this one for another try at the $100,000 BC Premiers in mid-October. Another probable entrant will be the 8-year-old Shacane who has put forth two solid performances winning the BC Cup Redekop Classic and most recently being a runner-up in the Randall Plate.

$250,000 HOLE-IN-ONE SHOOTOUT

That isn’t a misprint! It’s for real! As part of the BC Breeders’ Cup Derby celebrations on Sunday, Sept. 23, Hastings is inviting 10 golfers to compete in a Lower Mainland Steel Hole-In-One shootout with equipment being provided by our friends at Srixon Canada.

It’s back by popular demand after our Srixon Hole-In-One contest on Father’s Day. Simply enter when you’re on the grounds at Hastings on Derby Day and wait to see if your name is chosen. There’s also a consolation prize of $1,000 to the golfer who is closest to the pin on the green.

HASTINGS SCHOLARSHIP DAY

Full-time local college and university students can register to win one of three scholarships ($2,500, $1,500, $1,000) just by being at Hastings Racecourse this coming Saturday, Sept. 15 for live thoroughbred racing. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. Draws for the scholarships and other great prizes will be made throughout the afternoon.