Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

28/ 05/ 00 – Vancouver: Nothing but rain and overcast skies made for an off track all weekend at Hastings Park. Still, the turn out wasn’t bad, especially on Sunday, the 28^th, which was “Seniors Day” at the Park. And the spirit of optimism hasn’t died down yet, as fans continue to support and enjoy the live cards being offered to date.

 

Friday offered a fairly even card with favorites coming across the line in six of the eight races. One race of special interest was the 7^th, in which a perennial favorite at the track, Colonial Secretary, came up for the win, paying $16.20/ $7.10/ $3.30. Other winners of the night were Princess Vye in the 2^nd race; Center Of My Eyes in the 3^rd race; Tinas Star in the 4^th race; and Cool Kathy in the 5^th. 

 

On Saturday the $30,000 Nanaimo Handicap went as the 6^th race of the day. Make Contact, with Dan Brock in the irons, made the run from the outside post to snatch the top money. Ajmaer, with Ben Russell in the irons came second, and Chelan, ridden by Sam Krasner, got up for third. There were also some nice pay outs on Saturday, when Azi Lee’s Boys won the 3^rd race, paying $17.10; Daring Dennis won the 4^th race, paying $13.10; and Grey Tobe Free, won the 7^th race, paying $18.50. It didn’t hurt that all of the above prefer running on a wet surface. And, as an aside, at Hastings, right now, the surface is so outstanding, that you can rate a “sloppy” track as good as fast. A drying track, or “good,”  track is the worst possible situation. But, fortunately, the track surface dries very quickly with a bit of sun and a slight breeze, because it is draining so well at present.

 

If Saturday’s races were favoring moderate long-shots, then Sunday was a Long-shot players Nirvana. Long-shots were the rule of the day, rather than the exception, starting with the 2^nd race, when Fleet Alberta, with Ben Russell in the irons, paid $13.60/ $8.80/ $5.20. This was followed by a very capable run by Merry Two in the 4^th race, paying $26.60/ $9.20/ $3.80. The 5^th race was won by a first starter, the Ed Thompson trained Bandersnatch, facing a challenging field of 10 other runners over 6 ½ furlongs. Bandersnatch paid $15.70/ $6.90/ $6.10. And in the 7^th race, Stormin To Victory, formerly owned by Greg and Virginia McKinley, ran a powerful 1 1/16 Mile distance, wearing 2-shoes, to win, paying $36.50/ $15.30/ $6.70. This was a significant race for this little gelding for two reasons, the first being his step up in class, and the second, that he was running against former upper level allowance horses Sensitive Issue and Greek Punishment. This gelding had a mountain of troubles last year, but this year I believe he’s on his way back up to the level where he should be running.

 

Finally, Sunday presented handicappers with a major upset, when I’m Five, going off at 7/2, beat out Adanac and the speedy Rampaging Alf for the lion’s share of the $30,000 purse in The Klondike Handicap, which went off as the 9^th race of the day. No doubt we will see these runners in The BC Derby.

 

Horses to watch for over the coming months are: Tunangannya, trained by Rick Kamps; She’s Capable, from the James Loseth barn; Bandersnatch, trained by Ed Thompson; and, Stormin To Victory, trained by Dave Milburn. All these horses are running extremely well and should be included in your handicapping picks.

 

One last note before I close; word has it that there will be a respectable purse hike coming in the very near future. This was made possible through the tax relief given to BC racing from the provincial government. Things are looking good at the Park these days, and it is an excellent time for anyone interested in owning shares in a race horse at Hastings to get involved. It’s a buyer’s market right now, so jump in and have some fun. If you want more information on becoming a member of a owner’s syndicate you can contact Debbie Peebles at (604) 251-0488. Debbie, who is the Manager of Owner Relations/ Development, will be more than happy to advise you on how to get involved. For those of us involved it is great fun, a chance to win some purse money, and as an added bonus, a tax deduction at year’s end.

 

Until my next column, good luck and good weather to you all!