HorseRacing Central September 3, 2010
LABOUR DAY CARD DESCRIBED AS ‘AWESOME’
With three major stakes plus the third edition of the Marathon Series as part of a nine-race lineup, Hastings Racecourse General Manager Raj Mutti refers to the Monday, September 6 Labour Day card as “awesome … one of the best I’ve seen in years”.
Mutti credits Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld for putting together a program that features full fields for the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial and $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap, as well as the PNE President’s Speed that Ryneveld describes as “probably the best sprint race this year”. It includes two Hastings horses that raced in last week’s Longacres Mile: Almost Time and Burj Dubai.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Richmond Derby Trial serve as final preps for the BC Oaks (Sept. 25) and BC Derby (Sept. 26), respectively.
Racing starts at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6.
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM CINDY KRASNER
“I think it’s a wonderful idea to have Butch Goertzen decorate the winner of Monday’s Richmond Derby Trial. It will make his day. He really has appreciated everything that the industry has done for him and his family. Krazy Koffee has brought them much joy and happiness and he would like to give back some of the same to all of those involved.”
Trainer Cindy Krasner travelled side-by-side with breeder/owner Butch Goertzen through the amazing accomplishments of 3-year-old Krazy Koffee in 2008 … accomplishments that will be acknowledged on Labour Day Monday at Hastings Racecourse.
Krazy Koffee was named BC-bred Horse of the Year and Krasner won the Diamond Award of Excellence in 2008 following four magnificent stakes victories.
The Krasner-Goertzen-Krazy Koffee trio will be together again prior to Monday’s Richmond Derby Trial (5:09 p.m.) in a ceremony to celebrate Krazy Koffee’s retirement.
Krazy Koffee won both the Richmond Derby Trial and BC Derby in 2008, as well as the Stellar’s Jay and Chris Loseth Handicap. There would have been a fifth notch on his bridle had he not lost the Premiers in a photo finish to Rosberg. .
65TH RUNNING OF THE BC DERBY SEPT. 26
The weekend of September 25-26 is the highlight of the thoroughbred season with no fewer than eight stakes races on the two-day agenda, capped by the $150,000 BC Derby on Sunday, September 26.
There are four stakes on Saturday, September 25: BC Oaks, Delta Colleen, Fantasy and Derby Bar & Grill Ladies Express. The BC Derby undercard on Sunday includes the Sir Winston Churchill, Ascot Graduation and Derby Bar & Grill Express.
The days leading up to the most eventful weekend of the year are taking on shades of a week-long celebration. There will be a special Clocker’s Corner on the morning of Sunday, September 19, followed by the gala Derby/Oaks Dinner on Thursday, September 23.
BC THOROUGHBRED OWNERS & BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
Directors have been named for the newly formed BC Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (BC TOBA) with the mandate to act as ‘One Voice’ for thoroughbred owners and breeders in British Columbia. Ole Nielsen will fill the role as president of the group with directors including prominent horsemen Leif Nordahl, Horatio Kemeny, Bill Stewart, Ralph Jesiak, J.S. (Steve) McDonald, Bud Malette and R.J. (Russ) Bennett.
“Our goal is to promote the racing, breeding, ownership and marketing of thoroughbred horses,” the new organization related in a written statement. “We aim to provide leadership to the thoroughbred racing and breeding industries through education, training, employment and promotion.” Further information is available at 604.575.8621 or www.bctoba.com
QUALIFYING HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT OCT. 3
A trip to Las Vegas plus handsome prize money are up for grabs with the Coast Casino Handicapping Challenge that takes place Feb. 17-19 next year. Hastings Racecourse patrons who enter the Qualifying Tournament on Sunday, Oct. 3 have a chance to land one of three spots in the Vegas showdown. Hastings players 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. Registrations can be obtained by phone at 604.216.5271 or by email at hpicentre@hastingsracecourse.com
OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD
Saratoga Racetrack launches its closing weekend on Saturday with the Forego Stakes (2:14 p.m.) followed by the $750,000 Woodward (2:48 p.m.) with six hopefuls taking on the 1-4 morning line favourite Quality Road. The $250,000 Darly Debutante (5:30 p.m.) is the big feature at Del Mar on Saturday, followed by the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (4:00 p.m.) on Sunday.
Added to our simulcast coverage on Monday will be the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes from Philadelphia (1:42 p.m.) with Peter Redekop’s Comedero entered in a field of eight traveling a mile and 70 yards. A favourable result could result in Mr. Redekop entering Comedero in the BC Derby.
CTHS YEARLING & MIXED SALE: SEPT. 14
The annual CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sales is set for Tuesday, September 14 at the Thunderbird Show Park. The final information session at The Derby Bar and Grill is scheduled for Thursday, September 9 at 7 p.m. The first session was a sellout. Call 604.536.2878 for reservations.
