Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

22/ 05/ 00 – Vancouver: Can lightening strike in the same place twice? Would you believe me if I told you it can strike three times for the same barn over two racing days. This is what happened for the John Van Loon barn beginning on the Friday night, at Hastings Park, when his Brass Key (co-owned with Larry Phillips) doubled his price again in two weeks ($50,000) and came up for a second against a field load of speed in the 7^th race. It was Mister Cy who beat out Brass Key for top money, but not by much. Van Loon’s little charger beat out Rich R Gold and Imprimature and other Stakes level horses. While he started out as the early and middle trailer in the race, he made a huge charge up the stretch. >From where I was sitting, given a few more yards, he would have bested Mister Cy. Watch for him when he goes long. Saturday gave Van Loon a repeat performance in the 2^nd race, when his Legal Darling began the race as a dull trailer, and stayed there until the half way point, finally charging up the outside to snatch second place against a competitive field. And we couldn’t help giving Larry Phillips the business, suggesting that he and Van Loon had developed a new come from behind strategy, when in the 5^th race his Bay St. Dancer, making his first start of the season, left the gate as the early and middle trailer, but made an impressive charge up the stretch to grasp second money.

 

Overall, Saturday was a day full of surprises, when Frank Stronach’s Red Bullet beat out Fusaichi Pegasus in The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico (this was a coup for Stronach, who just recently purchased Bay Meadows in California). The Pegasus was thrown off stride when he got squeezed at the starting gate by Captain Steve on his left, and Hal’s Hope on his right. Trainer Neil Drysdale blamed the heavy track for the horse’s poor performance.  As predicted, Hal’s Hope and High Yield got into a speed dual right from the gate, leaving the way open for Red Bullet to gain the upper hand. Impeachment got up for another third. Given the outcome of this race, The Belmont Stakes, June 10^th should be interesting, and we can expect to see Aptitude, who ran second in The Kentucky Derby, back to challenge the field.

 

Sunday’s racing was in the slop, as wet skies emptied their contents all over the Lower Mainland. The really big surprise of the day was the outstanding run put in by Lasting Chance over Magic Code and Deputy Sue in 1 1/16 Mile, $30,000 Brighouse Belles. Lasting Chance was only a fraction short of matching the track record at the distance.

 

Victoria Day’s card offered the 6 ½ furlong, $30,000, Victoria Day Handicap, which went off as the 7^th race of the day. While Digital Dan and Three Card Willie went off as the favorites, it was the Wilf Bowes trained Galavant , who stormed home for the big money. Ryson made it across the line for second money at 10-1 odds, and Digital Dan got up for third. Also notable was the 3^rd race, in which Kingsview came home to pick up the win, and got claimed for the second time in two weeks. Trainer Cindy Krasner made the claim for a $15,000 tag. Another horse to watch in the near future is Target’s Angel, a first time starter who showed early speed from the 7 hole in the 4^th race. She faded at the half way point, probably due to the fact that this was her first start, but she should improve quickly once she learns to pace herself better.

 

On Saturday morning I had a very informative and enjoyable meeting with Greg MacDonald, the Director of Racing at Hastings Park. I was very impressed with his knowledge of, and vision for racing at the Park. This is a man with his finger on the pulse, and as busy as he is, keeping full fields for all the live cards, he still makes time to search out ways to improve conditions at the Park. Mr. MacDonald nicely rounds out the new team of managers at Hastings, and their efforts towards improving all aspects of the Park are clearly visible in the form of bigger and more even fields of horses, better customer service, new sponsors, and ongoing improvements from week to week. Attendance is up over last year, and this has made for an increase in the live handle. Without a doubt, there is a new spirit of enthusiasm from top to bottom.

 

At the top of the news from the Park, Hastings has recently joined the NTRA (The National Thoroughbred Racing Association). This move brings added benefits to the Park in the form of higher North America profile, and advertising advantages. Rumor has it that plans are in the works for an extended one half furlong chute at the west end of the track, which will allow for the introduction of 7 furlong races. This will offer a little more variety to the currently available racing at the Park. Additionally, look for the appearance of a new ambulance which will be able to follow on behind the horses as they run. Also, there appears to be some positive movement in the direction of the introduction of slot machines at Hastings Park. While I would not venture to give a time line on this, I would be willing to offer even odds that it will happen in the not too distant future. All of the aforementioned items are clear indicators that the Park is moving in the right direction.

 

Finally, for those of you who would like to try your hand at some real handicapping for real money, make a note to yourself that The Hastings Park/ NTRA Daily Racing Form Handicapping Contest commences June 12^th. The contest will be held every Saturday from June 10 through July 29. Prizes will be $500 per week to the winners, with $250 per week to Runners-up. And there will be a Grand Final on Saturday, August 12^th, with prizes of $5,000 to the winner, $1,500 to second, and $500 to third. There will also be additional grand prizes. All participants must open a minimum $50 betting tab to be eligible. Applications will be available at Hastings Park, Fraser Downs, and at all TBC outlets. It should be fun, and good luck to all of you who participate. Until next time, may the odds be with you.