HorseRacing Central February 26, 2009

WHAT’S ON TAP

It will be a busy weekend for 3-year-olds as they begin to separate the contenders from the pretenders in their bids to become 2009 Kentucky Derby champion.

WEST COAST

Santa Anita will host Saturday’s $200,000 Sham Stakes (4:38 p.m.), the race named after one of the most talented but unluckiest horses of all-time having been born the same year and having had to run in the Triple Crown races against the great Secretariat. The Pamplemousse is all the rage in Southern California these days after his easy score over Square Eddie in the San Rafael last month. Trainer Julio Canani, 70, says his colt is still improving and should like the longer nine furlong distance. The main challengers to The Pamplemousse will likely be Smart Bit, Mark S The Cooler and allowance winner Take The Points, who is also entered in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream.

Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, leading owners at Hastings Racecourse the past two seasons, will be watching their duo of Winter Warning and Texas Wildcatter go as an entry Saturday at Golden Gate in a $33,000 allowance (1:45 p.m.) at a mile and a sixteenth on the Tapeta surface. Hastings’ leading rider Mario Gutierrez will be on Texas Wildcatter.

EAST COAST

The $250,000 Fountain of Youth (2:14 p.m.) is the 3-year-old feature stakes race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday with a field lof 12 ready to go. Recent Hutcheson Stakes winner Capt. Candyman Can will be favoured. This year’s renewal has been shortened to a mile. There’s a whole bunch of early speed with Spectacular Bid winner Notonthesamepage likely to carve out a quick early tempo. There will be a host of pursuers through the opening half-mile with recent sprint winners Taqarab and This Ones For Phil in the lineup. The race could be set up beautifully for Theregoesjojo, ridden once again by Kent Desormeaux, who piloted the son of Brahms to an easy allowance win going seven furlongs.

LOOKING AHEAD ONE WEEK

Saturday, March 7 is definitely a day to mark down on your racing calendar as Santa Anita stages its premier event of the winter schedule. That’s the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (Big Cap) at a mile and a quarter over the Pro-Ride main track. The headliners are Tiago, Matto Mondo, the undefeated Rail Trip as well as Robert Frankel runners Champs Elysees and Zambezi Sun, both more noted for their success on grass.

Also on Big Cap Day is the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks, the next start scheduled for the Eclipse Award winning filly Stardom Bound. She may take on the boys in the Santa Anita Derby after a projected win in the Oaks. The $300,000 Frank Kilroe Stakes is another Grade 1 stakes on the program contested at a mile on the turf course.

On the East Coast Saturday, March 7 is another important race for 3-year-olds: the $250,000 Gotham Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth over the Aqueduct main track. On the undercard is the $100,000 Toboggan for older horse sprinters going six panels.

JACKPOT ‘MYSTERY HIT’ AT HASTINGS

With the 2009 thoroughbred season opening the weekend of April 18-19 at Hastings Racecourse, the adjacent gaming floor featuring 600 slot machines adds to the facility’s allure as one of the Lower Mainland’s most popular entertainment destinations.

It was certainly buzzing on Sunday, Feb. 22 when Mrs. Gemma Risa of East Vancouver won $198,736.49 playing 27 credits a spin on a two-cent B.C. Gold ‘Wide Area Progressive’ slot machine. “I probably will plan a trip but first I have a mortgage to pay,” Mrs. Risi said. “I like to visit Hastings once a week because it is a comfortable, friendly place and the staff are very nice. I meet my friends there, mostly on Sundays, and we always enjoy ourselves.”

Darren MacDonald, Hastings Gaming Manager, proudly presented Mrs. Risi with her cheque as a large crowd gathered to congratulate her. Hours of operation at the Hastings gaming floor are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH T.W.

Have you ever wondered why some horses wear ear plugs while racing? You’ll find out the answer on Tommy Wolski’s Sport of Kings show on Citytv Saturday at 11 a.m. Also, there’s a fun-filled segment from a visit to Fraser Downs by Bro Jake of Rock 101 and on the serious side of things, an in-depth interview with BCSA president Jim Vinnell.

PRINCESS OF THE PACIFIC ELIMINATIONS

The $100,000 Princess of the Pacific has attracted an overflow group of 22 Fillies and Mares forcing Fraser Downs to have three eliminations on Saturday. They’re coming from California, Alberta and Woodbine for races 8, 9 and 10 with each carrying a $25,000 purse. A second leg will go the following weekend. The top nine money earners from the two-week competition will advance to the Final on March 14.

The top two choices in Race 8 this Saturday will be Im Bossy and Shes Got Go. Im Bossy made her first start last week at Fraser, winning off by over five lengths in 1:55. Shes Got Go last raced on Jan. 16 at Woodbine in a condition event and qualified nicely in 1:57.2 for driver/trainer Dave Hudon. Race 9 is very competitive with Lil Kim being the lukewarm choice and Got The Munchies a solid second choice. Race 10 sees Real Beauty as the 8/5 morning line favourite after coming off a win in last week’s Open for Fillies and Mares.

BIG EVENT SUNDAY AT FRASER

Group Sales Manager Cheryl Barnes at Fraser Downs reports ticket sales have been brisk for Sunday’s Harness of Hope event in support of Breast Cancer Research. The fun starts at high noon with prize draws, a silent auction, guest speakers and a fabulous buffet luncheon in the Clubhouse for $50 and that includes a free pink umbrella to use while participating in the Walk for Cure at the end of the day. Call Cheryl at 604 575-5603 or visit http://www.fraserdowns.com/ for more information.