HorseRacing Central January 18, 2008

SERGE CONTINUES TO SURGE

Trainer/driver Serge Masse is on a massive role these days at Fraser Downs. The Langley resident hit for the grand slam Sunday, Jan. 13 reigning in four winners to increase his driving victories to 53 since the September start of this current meet. Masse drove Cher The Wealth to her fifth consecutive win and 46th of her career, surpassing $212,000 in lifetime earnings.

Masse, who owns Cher The Wealth, also hit the winner’s circle with Rocket Rachel, Classic Socks and Lily Pond on his grand slam Sunday. The man is no slouch as a trainer, either. Since the beginning of the calendar year, Masse has sent out 22 starters and scored 12 victories. He has 1,643 lifetime training wins and purses in excess of $6.25 million.

Trainer Ray Gemmill watched with great delight as Warrawee Iceman scored a four-length victory in the $25,800 Keith Linton Memorial. Purchased for $16,000 at the 2007 Fall Extravaganza Mixed Sale, the 4-year-old ‘Iceman’ – driven by Darren Howald - remained undefeated in four starts at Fraser for owners Western Pacific Stable, Ian Moyes of Surrey and Steve Shand of Port Coquitlam.

Favoured Full Circle Dream won the $29,300 Penny Bath Memorial with Jim Burke in the sulky. Next up on the Open Stake Schedule: the $25,000 Miss Valentine Final on Friday, Feb. 15 with the qualifying leg for 4-year-old fillies set for Friday, Feb. 8.

A BUSY FRASER DOWNS CALENDAR

Members of the Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants will be at Fraser Downs on Sunday, Jan. 27 to meet and mingle with racing fans … Women harness drivers from across Canada will be taking part in the March 2 ‘Surrey-White Rock Harness the Hope Day’ in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation … March 21 – Good Friday – will be a ‘Great Friday’ for the winner of the new Cobalt and $500 gasoline card. Qualifying for the car giveaway starts Jan. 26 and runs through March 15. A total of 100 finalists will gather in the Clubhouse March 21. One person will win the car and there will be two consolation prizes of $1,000.

MONASHEE IN THE MONEY AGAIN

Cheers from a simulcast crowd at Jerome’s Sports Bar at Hastings Racecourse could be heard throughout the PNE grounds on Monday, Jan. 14 when Monashee gamely held off all rivals in the $80,000 Pasadena Handicap at Santa Anita.

Referred to as “our hometown Queen” by racing analyst Mike Heads, Monashee has had her date with stallion Hard Spun put on hold because if all is well in the coming weeks, owner Ole Nielsen says she could race again on the turf in the Buena Vista Handicap at Santa Anita. Monashee is not scheduled to be shipped to Kentucky until late March or early April.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REPORT

Hastings horsemen are enjoying their share of glory at Golden Gate Fields. Rob Gilker’s Savo Island cruised home as the favourite in a starter allowance event. Gilker paid $32,000 to claim the 3-year-old gelding that we probably will see in the sprint stakes during the coming season at Hastings.

Trainer Alex Murray tried Louder on the Tapeta surface for the first time and he rewarded his connections with an easy win at a profitable 14-1 with Mario Gutierrez in the saddle. Gutierrez is sitting fourth in the Golden Gate jockey standings with 30 wins.

HASTINGS HORSEPOWER GIVEAWAY

On Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. there will be a Lucky Number 7 winner of a 2008 Honda Civic EX-L at a draw on location of the Hastings Gaming Floor. Ballots are available at Hastings and printed daily in the Ming Pao and Sign Pao newspapers, and weekly in the North Shore News, Vancouver Courier East and Burnaby Now. The Civic EX-L has been supplied by Happy Honda in North Burnaby.

A reminder that a free shuttle bus to Hastings is now running in Vancouver, Burnaby, West and North Vancouver, running seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check our Hastings website for exact times of pick-up and drop-off locations.

HPI CARDHOLDERS: GET READY

The Sunshine Millions Handicapping Contest – available free only to HPI Cardholders – takes place Saturday Jan. 26 with the winner receiving a $500 wagering voucher. Participants can select from the eight designated Sunshine Millions races taking place at Santa Anita and Gulfstream with the winner being decided on a cumulative points total. Contest entry ballots are available beginning at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24 with the contest closing 15 minutes before the first race Jan. 26.

The start of the Magna Pick 5 begins Jan. 26 and runs until April featuring races from Laurel, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Golden Gate and Bay Meadows.