HorseRacing Central August 6, 2010

BACK TO BUSINESS AFTER SPECTACULAR BC CUP DAY

BC Cup Day on Monday, August 2 had been billed through many media outlets as the biggest and most exciting attraction at Hastings Racecourse to date on our 2010 calendar. It was all that … and more!

A crowd estimated in excess of 10,000 turned out under sunny skies and enjoyed a 10-race card that included seven $50,000 stake races, as well as a $22,000 BC Cup Endurance Starter Handicap.

Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development, headlined a list of celebrity guest decorators that included movie star Steven Seagal, entertainment industry icons Bruce Allen and Red Robinson, former Canucks scoring star Tony Tanti, syndicated newspaper columnist Phil Reimer and Team 1040’s colourful and controversial radio host David Pratt.

Now it’s back to business with regular Friday Night Live racing (7:00 p.m.) as well as Saturday and Sunday at 1:40 p.m.

Friday’s feature is the third race for 2-year-old maidens traveling 3 ½ furlongs for a purse of $13,600. Taylor Said is listed as the morning line favourite. Saturday’s feature is the $20,300 Allowance Optional Claimer (race number 7) with Meaux Power considered the main threat over 1 1/8 miles.

There is a strong field of 3-year-old fillies entered in Sunday’s feature, a 6 ½ furlong sprint. The $50,000 optional race goes as the sixth on the program. Vying Ty Grr and Victorious Vye, both stakes winners as 2-year-olds, will have to contend with Finality Philly, winner of three straight.

INJURED SECURITY GUARD RECOVERING

Dave Dahl, the security guard and long-time trainer at Hastings Racecourse who was injured in last Saturday’s freak accident, is making an encouraging recovering at Vancouver General Hospital after suffering broken ribs and multiple bruising to his body. Private Mambo, a 3-year-old filly, died on impact when she fell and slid into the glassed-in atrium adjacent to the winner’s circle where Dahl was stationed. Dahl told the Sport of Kings Tom Wolski: “I remember being hit by the horse (Private Mambo) as she veered off the inside rail after stumbling leaving the starting gate. Then she began running toward the winner’s circle. As she slid I remember her sliding into me pretty hard, with one of her feet catching my side. This was simply a real freaky accident and thankfully, no one else was hurt.”

RACING DATES DURING THE FAIR AT THE PNE

The 100th anniversary of The Fair at the PNE runs from August 21 through September 6. There have been some adjustments made to the Hastings Racecourse schedule during the Fair that include 6:40 p.m. starts on August 24 (Tuesday), August 25 (Wednesday) and August 26 (Thursday); as well as 6:40 p.m. starts on September 1 (Wednesday), September 2 (Thursday) and September 3 (Friday).
Please note: there will not be weekend racing at Hastings Racecourse during The Fair at the PNE.

2nd ANNUAL MASCOT DERBY ON SATURDAY, AUG. 14

Bread Head from Cobs Bread won the inaugural Mascot Derby at Hastings Racecourse last year and predicts he will retain his title on Saturday, August 14. What Bread Head doesn’t know is the fact the field has doubled from 15 to 30 participants for the 2010 showdown in support of Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Bob Brown Bear of the Vancouver Canadians will be on hand to coach baseball’s famous trio of sushi-inspired mascots: Ms BCRoll, Mr. Kappa Maki and the little rascal himself, Chef Wasabi. Leo the Lion will be representing the BC Lions; Jack the Giant returns from the Vancouver Giants; Winger from the Whitecaps and Winger from the Surrey Eagles will be on hand; Mr. Fox, Mr. Peanut, Philbert the Hedgehog from Purdy’s Chocolates, Sunny Bear from BC Children’s Hospital … the list goes on with Variety’s popular Heartly, overseeing the proceedings.

Because of the large number of mascots in this year’s field, there will be three heats with the top three finishers of each heat advancing to the championship Final. The qualifying heats go after races 2, 3 and 4 with the Final after race 6. The mascots line up in the Hastings Racecourse official starting gate and travel approximately 100 yards to the finish line.

Patrons at Hastings on Aug. 14 will have the opportunity through a donation to cast their votes on their favourite mascots. The list of prizes for those fans participating include a River Rock Casino Resort package, theatre show tickets and Hastings Racecourse gift certificates for brunch on race days at Silks Restaurant.

All proceeds got to Variety – The Children’s Charity – a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to inspire hope, enrich lives and build a better future for children in B.C. Since 1965, Variety has raised more than $155 million in support of children who have special needs.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

Quality Road has been installed as the morning line favourite for the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Saturday. Six-year-old runners will go 1 1/8 miles at 2:48 p.m. PST.

Owners Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella have two horses going at Northlands on Saturday and have Stephan Heiler - one of Edmonton’s leading jockeys – riding both. Shem will try once again to beat Salt Flat Speed in the $50,000 Westerner while Holy Nova cuts back to six furlongs in an optional allowance race after running off during the post parade last week.

Can Zenyatta make it 18 win in a row? The wonder horse is entered in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Saturday. Zenyatta will be asked to carry 123 pounds against five rivals. Post time is 6:00 PST.

Our neighbours at Emerald Downs have two featured stake races for 2-year-olds on Sunday’s card. The $50,000 Angie C Stakes is the sixth race on the card while the $50,000 Premio Esmeralda goes as the eighth.

EARLY HARNESS START FROM MEADOWLANDS SATURDAY

Standardbred fans should take note that it’s Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands on Saturday and the action starts at 8:30 a.m. PST. Our B.C. network will join the card at race three at 9:38 a.m.

The entire card involves stakes finals with the two majors being the $75,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies at 12:09 p.m. PST followed by the $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotting colts at 12:43 p.m. PST.