HorseRacing Central September 4, 2009

A CALL FOR MISS BC DERBY 2009

Several of my fellow male employees at Hastings Racecourse have been on their best behaviour these past few weeks with the hopes of being appointed to the judging panel for the naming of Miss BC Derby 2009.

The search for Miss BC Derby 2009 is already underway. The winner will be awarded a $2500 scholarship sponsored by The Derby Bar and Grill to go towards post secondary studies at an accredited post secondary institution.

Females between the ages of 19-28 who are B.C. residents and Canadian citizens are eligible with up to 10 finalists being chosen from the applications received. Application forms and more information are available at www.derbybarandgrill.com

Entries must be submitted and received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 9 on-line or by mail or in person at The Derby Bar and Grill, #115, 17637 – 1ast Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V3S 9S1.

The 64th running of the BC Derby – crown jewel of the Hastings Racecourse season – takes place on Sunday, September 27. The winner of Miss BC Derby 2009 will be announced at BC Oaks Day at Hastings on Saturday, September 26.

The finalists leading up BC Derby Weekend will be making appearances as part of the judging criteria at Hastings Racecourse at a live racing card on Friday, September 18; The Derby Bar and Grill on Tuesday, September 22 and the BC Derby VIP Dinner/Draw on Thursday, September 24 at Hastings.

*Note to management: my application for the judging panel has already been signed, sealed and delivered.

PUNCH-OUT AT THE PADDOCK

Olympic boxer turned promoter Manny Sobral has taken another unique step in keeping the fight game front and centre locally and horse racing fans are the latest to capitalize. Between races tonight (Sept. 4) at Hastings there will be live sparring matches taking place in a ring set up alongside the Paddock area. Former world-ranked heavyweight contender Gordy Racette will be the guest referee.

There will be seven sparring sessions in total, highlighted by Canadian Light Heavyweight champion Junior Moar facing pro heavyweight Jaime Walton at approximately 9:30 p.m. The first session will get underway at approximately 6:49 p.m. The first race goes at 7 p.m.

FIVE STAKES ON LABOUR DAY MONDAY

September is money month at Hastings Racecourse and the holiday Monday card is just the start of bigger things to come. Five stake races, with purses over $250,000 will be offered on the 11 race card.

It all gets going with the third race on the card the 50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club for three year old fillies. Six will face starter Joe Gray and the favourites roll will fall on Tierra Del Feugo as she looks to win her third in a row and four of her last five. She easily defeated a similar field in her last start in the BC Cup Dogwood. Pedro Alvarado will again ride for trainer Barb Heads.

The fifth race on the card is the 55,000 Strawberry Morn for older fillies and mares. Six are set to do battle (five wagering interests) at a mile and a sixteenth. Last year champion mare, Against the Sky, will get a tough test as trainer Troy Taylor will send out three in the race. Lady Raj and Holy Nova will race coupled while Summer Song will run on her own. Summer Song has won her last two starts at Northlands and will be looking for the hat trick.

The seventh race is the annual PNE President’s Speed. A field of eight entered to go 6 furlongs to see who is the fasted of all. Woombroom Express is very sharp right now having won his last three starts. His latest win came in the BC Cup Sprint. He does get a new rider for the race though as Frank Fuentes has opted to ride Bank Emblem. Dave Wilson has accepted the mount. The invader Silver Stetson Man will contest the Speed and will be ridden by Jake Barton for trainer Alan May.

The Richmond Derby Trial will go as the eighth race on the card and has 11 three year olds looking to stamp their ticket to the rich BC Derby in just under three weeks. The race shapes up to be a very tricky handicapping race. Newcomer, It Happened Again has drawn the 11 hole for trainer Terry Jordan and owner Peter Redekop. He enters the race off of a third place effort in the Canadian Derby. A private purchase, It Happened Again had been competing in the eastern US. The interesting horse in the race is Gather de Justice. This will be his sternest test to date as he has slowly been rising through the
claiming ranks. He has won his last three in a row.

The older runners will take the spotlight for race nine as 7 are set to go a mile and an eighth. And what a field it is. Contention runs deep as the field includes the likes of Krazy Koffee, Spaghetti Mouse, Teide and the newcomer Dixie Meister. What a great day to cap off the Labour Day Card.

Also don’t forget there will be a $25,000 guaranteed Pick 4 that day on races 7-11.

First race 1:25.

WHAT’S ON TAP

Saturday

All eyes will be on Saratoga as the brilliant filly Rachel Alexandra is taking on older colts and geldings in the $750,000 Woodward (2:52 p.m.). Her main competition will be recent graded stakes winner Bullsbay as well as Macho Again. Also on the card is the $300,000 Forego for seven dirt specialists. Arlington Park is having one of its premier days hosting three stakes including the $300,000 Washington Park featuring Canadian-based Palladio trained by Roger Attfield. Two-year-olds will also be in action in the $150,000 Arlington Washington Futurity for colts and the $100,000 Lassie for fillies.

At Woodbine the main event is the $150,000 Seaway Stakes for Canadian-bred fillies and locally owned Tribal Belle (Canvasback Farms) has drawn the rail. At Del Mar it’s closing weekend and the stakes action gets started with the $300,000 Debutante for two year old fillies at a mile on the poly track.

Sunday

Del Mar hosts the $1 million Pacific Classic headed by recent Grade l winner Rail Trip. The competition runs deep with Einstein, Colonel John and Longacres Mile runner-up Awesome Gem. On the undercard is the $300,000 Pat O’Brien and Hastings owner Jeff Sengara will watch his Talkin to Mom Roo try and win the big prize. Later at Del Mar is the $300,000 Del Mar Derby featuring Triple Crown hopeful Papa Clem as one of the favourites. At Northlands Park, Peter Redekop’s Applroval Rating will be the heavy choice in the $100,000 Speed To Spare.

Monday

Our sister track south of the border will host the $75,000 Emerald Derby while at Del Mar the traditional closing event is the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity for 2-year-olds going a flat mile.

FRASER DOWNS READY TO GO SEPT. 11

It’s a week away to the opening of the 2009-2010 live racing season at Fraser Downs. Friday, September 11th kicks off the first of 107 days of racing at the Surrey facility. With more than 500 horses on the grounds and another 80 stabled at Robert Murphy’s old training site, the entry box should be full when they draw the opening night card on Sunday.

Racing Secretary Jackson Wittup will have daily purses of $65,000 to offer the horsemen and the added money events will total over $450,000. The drivers colony will have familiar names such as Jim Marino, Scott Knight, Serge Masse, Dave Hudon and Jim Burke competing against the Albertans: Keith Clark, Don Monkman Jr., Gerry Hudon and possibly others. First race opening night goes at 7:30 p.m.