Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

01/ 04/ 00 – Vancouver: In spite of the fact that local handicappers continue their  mean-mouthing of BC bred horses, the horses continue to run well south of the border. Last Saturday was just one more example of what I’m talking about, when the Jerry Hollendorfer claim, Deja Vu Dancer, a former Hastings horse, won the $14,000, 1 mile Maiden Claiming 3^rd Race at Golden Gate Fields. On the same card, Kid Killarney, another Hastings invader, snatched second money in the $34,000, 6 furlong Allowance 6^th Race. In fact, over the past few months it was not unusual to see Hastings horses – most of them bred right here in BC – racing and doing well on major tracks throughout the US. It would seem that, contrary to the notions of the local nay-sayers, the fault does not lie so much with BC horses as it does with the local racing venue, which puts them at a disadvantage. On this matter, I rest my case!

 

Word is, that Osoyoos will not be in operation this year due to economics and the shortage of horses. This is too bad, because BC needs more racing venues and not fewer. But when I hear stories about quarter horse owners choosing to ship to Alberta because they can run their horses more often, I know that it’s a matter of practicality. Purses are too low at the outlying tracks around BC, and owners and trainers don’t have any incentive to compete locally. This brings us back to the “slots” controversy, and a provincial government that, to this point, won’t budge on its decision to disallow slots at BC tracks. As an aside to this, Woodbine and Fort Erie have put slots in, and, as a direct result of this, have been able to make significant purse increases. And things can only get worse for BC racing when Calgary builds its new track with a connecting casino. We can anticipate more BC owners and trainers moving east and south in the years to come.

 

As I promised last time, I am publishing the Hastings track works for the past week. My intention is to keep you up to speed on “best time” for each distance worked. I hope this helps some of you as you plan your handicapping strategy for the upcoming live season.

 

Sunday, March 26: ¼ Merry Legs 0:25.60h. 3/8^th Just A Feu, Target’s Angel 0:36.80h. ½ Crafty Boy 0:47.80h. 5/8^th Random Madness 1:01.00h.

 

Monday, March 27: 3/8^th Truly Fantastic 0:37.80h. ½ Grooms Derby 0:47.80h. 5/8^th Outofmywamy, Twice Chilled  1:02.40h.

 

Tuesday, March 28: ¼ Steller Kat 0:25.20h. 3/8^th One Sided Affair 0:36.40h. ½ Diamond Ace 0:48.60h. 5/8^th Risky Rumour 1:03.80h.

 

Wednesday, March 29: 3/8^th McCrafty 0:37.00h. ½ Mighty Minoru 0:47.60h. 5/8^th Ball And Chain 1:00.60h.

 

Thursday, March 30: ¼ Crucial States 0:25.40h. 3/8^th Karry’s Buddy 0:36.80h. ½ Vermilion Sea 0:47.60h. 5/8^th Blue Indigo 1:02.20h.

 

Saturday, April 1: ¼ Flyaway Firefly 0:25.00h. 3/8^th Celestial Spree, Wandering 0:37.00h. ½ Boeing Field 0:48.20h. 5/8^th Maudest 1:01.69h.

 

Overall best performer for the last two weeks, Maudest, whose been gathering bullets like wild flowers. Horses to keep an eye on over the next few weeks, Rampaging Alf, Wandering, Artic Son.

 

As opening day approaches, Hastings is getting busier. The track is a traffic jam at morning workouts. Remember to mark April 22^nd on your calendar as opening day at the Park. For you simulcast players, Stampede Park opens April 8^th, and Churchill Downs opens April 29^th. Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Golden Gate Fields are currently up.

 

I hope you are looking forward to live racing as much as I am. Until next time, may good luck follow you at every turn.