HorseRacing Central September 18, 2009

SAM KRASNER REMAINS DERBY KING

Our friend Sam Krasner, member of the BC Horse Racing Hall of Fame and 2005 winner of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, will continue to be the leading jockey of BC Derby stakes races for quite some time. With five to his credit, only four other active riders have won as many as two: Dave Wilson (Krazy Koffee 2008; Spaghetti Mouse 2005); Pedro Alvarado (Halo Steven 2006; Roscoe Pito 2003); Chad Hoverson (Irish Bear 1987; Traveling Victor 1982); Gerry Olguin (Celtic Dreamin 2007; Fleet Reserve 1989).

Krasner’s string began with Ensign Earnem in 1980 and continued with Ever Steady in 1990, Humpty’s Hoedown in 1993, Bobbin for Starts in 1997 and Wandering in 1999.

It’s interesting to note that Alvarado’s BC Derby victories have come in three-year cycles: 2003 and 2006. Can he strike again in 2009?

The 64th running of the BC Derby, presented by The Vancouver Sun, is one weekend away: Sunday, Sept. 27. It’s part of an awesome two-day racing extravaganza that engulfs Saturday and Sunday featuring five major stakes with purses valued at more than $500,000.

Alvarado will be looking for a repeat of his stunning victory aboard Tommy Danzigger in the Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on August 22. Tommy Danzigger fought off a late move by Scorewithcater to win by 1½ lengths. Scorewithcater had beaten Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Borderline Derby at Sunland Park in February.

In late news today, there was a report that Scorewithcater had suffered a minor hoof ailment. “These things take a few days to play out,” said Hastings Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld. “We’ll just have to wait and see what develops.”

On the BC Derby undercard Sept. 27 are the Sir Winston Churchill Handicap ($50,000) and Derby Bar & Grill Express ($50,000). The BC Oaks ($125,000) and Delta Colleen Handicap ($50,000) are featured on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“It’s our showcase event of the season,” says Raj Mutti, GM at Hastings. “If a racing fan is going to watch something special, the BC Derby is it!”

MISS BC DERBY 2009

The finalists for the Miss BC Derby 2009 contest will be at Hastings tonight (Friday) selling pink roses on behalf of the Crystal Gala Foundation for Breast Cancer. The selling of the roses is a 25% criteria in the selection process. Fans can support their contestant of choice at Hastings Racecourse tonight or Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Derby Bar & Grill starting at 7:00 p.m. More information on Miss BC Derby 2009 or to vote online is available online at www.derbybarandgrill.com

CTHS SALE “ENCOURAGING”

Considering the trend across North America with declines in yearling sales, CTHS president Leif Nordhal says he was encouraged by the results of the 2009 Yearling and Mixed Sale at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley earlier this week. From 156 yearlings catalogued, 87 were sold for a total of $968,700. The top priced yearling went to Bob Cheema who paid $70,000 for a filly by Regal Intention out of High on Believen. She is a half-sister to Dancing Allstar, the champion two-year-old in Canada in 2007. Cheema bought Dancing Allstar out of the 2006 sale for $15,500.

The leading buyer at the sale was Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. who shelled out $216,500 for 10 yearlings. The leading consigner was Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds, grossing $192,500 from 11 yearlings sold.

WHAT’S ON TAP OUT OF TOWN

Saturday

Lots of action and lots of excitement with the major stakes kicking off at Belmont Park with the $250,000 Matron (1:43 p.m.) for 2-year-old fillies going seven furlongs and followed up by the $250,000 Futurity (2:15 p.m.) for the boys at the same distance. Both races are part of the $350,000 guaranteed late Pick 4 that starts with the seventh race at 1:11 p.m.

At Woodbine 2-year-olds are also in the spotlight as the colts will be in action in the $300,000 Summer Stakes at a mile on the grass. Morning line favourite at 5-2 is Stormy Lord with Justin Stein in the irons. Earlier on the card, 2-year-old fillies will compete in the $150,000 Natalma, also on the E.P. Taylor turf course. The annual big event at Louisiana Downs is the $750,000 Super Derby with a field of 10 scheduled to go nine furlongs. Morning line favourite is Soul Warrior at 2-1, followed by Regal Ransom from Dubai and Blame shipping in from Saratoga. Alberta Day at Northlands Park features six stakes race for Alberta-breds.

Sunday

All eyes will be on Woodbine as it showcases the best turf horses in the world. Things get started early at 11:30 a.m. with the $300,000 Canadian Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile and eighth on the turf. The heavy favourite will likely be Breeders’ Cup winner Forever Together, partnered with her usual riding companion Julien Leparoux.

Julien has another live mount in Just As Well in the $700,000 Northern Dancer Stakes (1:34 p.m.) at a mile and a half on the grass. His main rivals will be local star Marchfield (Husbands), Champs Elysees (Gomez) and Musketier (Bejarano). Then comes the $1 million Woodbine Mile (2:42 p.m.) featuring the billiant filly Ventura (Gomez), second choice behind recent turf winner Bribon (Gracia). The best Woodbine local chance is Rahy’s Attorney (Callaghan) at 5-1 on the morning line.

Fairplex Park in southern California will have its annual stakes race for the sales graduates as 2-year-olds compete in the $115,000 Barrett’s Juvenile.

ED HENSLEY BACK AT FRASER

With more than 4,300 career harness driving wins under his belt, Ed Hensley returns to Fraser Downs with the hopes of reliving the magic he enjoyed a decade ago. He spent the last several years on the U.S. circuit in California, Chicago, Indianpolis, New York and Pennsylvania. In 793 starts in Pennsylvania and New York this season, Fast Eddie chalked up 90 wins, 84 seconds and 89 third-place finishes.

Hensley has 10 “catch drives” tonight at Fraser tonight. He will appear in the first six races on the card before taking a break and returning in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th races.

Jim Marino found the winners circle three times last Saturday night while Dave Hudon, Dave McKellar and Scott Knight each drove home winners. Rookie driver Doug Chappell won his first outing with Hammers Bad Boy in the 6th.

Racing at Fraser Downs goes at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.