Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

18/ 01/ 00 Vancouver: Firstly, let me wish everyone a Very Happy Year 2000! The weeks are shooting by, and the horses will be returning to the barns at Hastings Park in about a month ’s time to begin training for the spring meet. Don't be surprised if there are some interesting changes at Hastings this season. Management is concerned about the declining track attendance and horses, and they intend to challenge these problems square in the face. Some work has also been done in the back-stretch area. Due to the mild winter we've had, the track surface looks very good right now. And, with a new filly in our barn, '’m especially keen for the new season to begin.

 

The 1999 Eclipse Awards have been announced. Charismatic, the claiming horse who won two legs of the Triple Crown, only to break down at Belmont, has been named Horse of the Year. I wrote in my column months ago that he should be given this title because of his outstanding courage and stamina. He was also awarded Top Three Year Old Colt or Gelding. I was pleased with the other results, including Silverbulletday as Top Three Year Old Filly. I believe she is the best female runner of our generation. A few of my other favorites made the list, including, Victory Gallop, best Older Horse or Gelding, with runners up Behrens, Budroyale (Jeff Sengera’s $50,000 Claimer), Real Quiet, and River Keen. The sprinter award was given to Artax, probably the fastest sprinter in North America. And Daylami (Mill Reef), a particular favorite of mine, was awarded Top Male Turf Horse. Bob Baffert was named top trainer over D. Wayne Lukas (no surprise here), and Canadian Frank Stronach was named top owner.

 

Along these same lines, Associated Press named the top ten horses of the century. Man of War was named top male, with Secretariat in second place. Ruffian was named top female. But there are some horses that should have made the list. Where were Northern Dancer, Princequillo, and Mill Reef? And what about Whirlaway? Meanwhile in Canada, the Sovereign Awards had a BC connection with Magic Code as older top female runner, Free Vacation, bred at Black Canyon Thoroughbreds, as top turf horse, and Ben Russell was named top apprentice. Ben Russell, along with Gerry Olguin and Robert Skelly are currently riding at Golden Gate Park, California. Mention should also be made of Hastings horses running, and doing well, south of the boarder. A number of our horses are running in Arizona and California. Of note was the run by Danish Dynamite at Gulfstream Park on January 14^th. He came up for a fifth in a 1 1/16^th Mile turf run. And Golden Gate provided some local interest when a filly I mentioned some months back (Seven Miss Isle – a filly who went out as the high weight against the boys and came third) -- placed in the $17,500, I Mile race. Also, in the third race at GG, Devoted Angel, now owned and trained by that park’s leading trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, came third in the $11,000 1 Mile event. Once again BC bred horses have shown the quality and success of our local breeding programs.

 

In other racing news, Banshee Breeze  has been retired, while Farmaway, one of the most promising sires in North America had to be euthenized after a paddock accident. Also passed along was the list of leading sires in Washington State. There are some names you’ll recognize. Son Of Briartic sits at number 2, Katowice at number 4, and Free At Last at number 7. These sires in particular have been influential in BC racing. And hopping back to the North American scene for a second, Laffit Pincay Jr. recently beat out Willie Shoemaker as all time top jockey. Shoemaker ended his career with 8833 wins.

 

Finally, returning to Hastings Park, look for the following developments in the next year or so; a plan to create a more family oriented program, including a kid’s summer camp, simulcasting of racing from Great Britain, and more emphasis on customer service. Also, don’t be surprised if a whole new management team arrives on the scene. Live racing at Hastings this season will begin on April 22^nd and conclude on October 22^nd – 13 days shorter than last season.

 

Until my next column, may your horses run fast and straight wire to wire.