HorseRacing Central August 27, 2010

LOOKING AHEAD TO LABOUR DAY STAKES SCHEDULE

Live racing at Hastings Racecourse on Labour Day has traditionally been a major attraction over the years and Monday, September 6 will not be an exception.

Coinciding with the final day of The Fair At The PNE, three $50,000 featured stakes will be on the Hastings Labour Day matinee card: the PNE Presidents Speed Handicap, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Richmond Derby Trial.

In a trip down memory lane on Labour Day, the great horse Krazy Koffee will be saluted with a special retirement ceremony prior to the Richmond Derby Trial. That was one of the four stakes he won as a 3-year-old in 2008.

Named BC-bred Horse of the Year in ’08, Krazy Koffee also captured the BC Derby, Stellar’s Jay and Chris Loseth Handicap.

Owned by Chilliwack’s Butch Goertzen and trained by Cindy Krasner, Krazy Koffee has been retired as a champion and will make a final visit to Hastings Racecourse on Sept. 6 as part of an ‘unforgettable’ send-off.

THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY DURING PNE

With the live racing schedule at Hastings having undergone some adjustments during the 100th anniversary of The Fair At The PNE, there haven’t been any major problems or significant administration issues according to General Manager Raj Mutti.

The remaining live racing dates during the PNE Fair are September 1 (Wednesday), September 2 (Thursday) and September 3 (Friday) all with 6:40 p.m. start times and the 1:40 p.m. start for the gala Labour Day card on Monday, September 6.

Simulcast coverage continues seven days a week as usual. The 2010-2011 Hong Kong season is set to get underway on Saturday, Sept. 4 and while Hastings will be offering limited availability on that night, we will be joining the Hong Kong season in full tilt the following week.

COAST CASINO HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE

Big prize money plus a trip to Las Vegas in early 2011 are on the line for Hastings Racecourse patrons who enter the Qualifying Tournament on Sunday, October 3. Hastings is offering three spots in the Coast Casino Horseplayer World Series in Vegas February 17-19, 2011. Players at Hastings will be competing for $15,000 in prize money with $9,000 going to the winner based on 150 paid entries at $100 per entry.

Register your intent to participate at the HPI Centre located in the Upper Racebook beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10. Registrations will also be accepted by telephone at 604.216.5271 or by email at hpicentre@hastingsracecourse.com

CTHS YEARLING & MIXED SALE: SEPT. 14

The annual CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale is set for Tuesday, September 14 at the Thunderbird Show Park. CTHS (BC Division) 2009 Sales grad stakes winners include Dancing In Silks, Notis Her, Dancing Allstar, Gotta Find Bubba, Tommy Danzigger, Victorious Vye, Huitzilopochtli, Dyna Stroll, Ganbei and Trick Of The North.

The Derby Bar and Grill is staging two information sessions that will take potential horse buyers through the catalogue and highlight suggestions from hosts Mike Heads and Drew Forster. The gatherings are set for Thursday, September 2 and Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended by calling 604.536.2878.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Saturday

It’s an early start at Saratoga and our simulcast network will join the card prior to the third race. There are five consecutive major stakes on the program running through races 8 to 12. The $1 million Pick 4 runs from race 9i-12. The 12th is the $1 million Shadwell Travers (2:46 p.m.) with the lukewarm morning line favourite being A Little Warm at 7/2.

The action then shifts to the west coast for the $1 million Pacific Classic from Del Mar (4:30 p.m.)

Sunday

Saratoga continues its stakes theme with the Personal Ensign for fillies and mares. The big draw in this one will be Rachel Alexandra and only four others have entered to test the 2009 Horse of the Year. Post time is 2:56 p.m. as the 10th race.

The feature at Del Mar is the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap (5:30 p.m.)