Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

07/ 05/ 00 – Vancouver: Hastings Park concluded its third successful weekend of racing with the running of The George Royal, which went off as the seventh race of the day. Kid Katabatic was the 4-5 favorite of the $30,000, 6 ½ Furlong race, but he was not to be the winner, and in fact came in fourth. The smart money was on the California shipper, Three Card Willie, who smoked the field at 5-1. A powerful race was also run by Trap Me Not, who placed, and Victorious Type, who ran third. An additional bonus was the sunny weather, making for a fast track.

 

Two other outstanding races were the sixth and the eighth. In the sixth race Market Advance (6-1) beat out the heavy favorite Travelling Trapper (4-5). Travelling Trapper faded to fourth, while Tuamotu and Pinot’s Pride came up for second and third respectively. But it was the eighth race which gave me personal satisfaction, when the John Van Loon trained, and Larry and Dorothy Phillips owned Brass Key doubled his price from $11,000 to $25,000 optional claiming and defeated a very tough field, which included Shoo Fly Willie, who ran second, and JV Bennett, who came up for third. Van Loon’s barn has got off to a flashy start this season with 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds for 9 starts. The only race that troubled me was the fourth, when I’m Five, starting from the four hole, bumped Work Visa who was starting from gate 5. This fouled the latter horse’s start badly enough to disadvantage it’s run. But there was no steward’s inquiry, which such an obvious bump should have prompted. I’m Five came up for the place, being beaten soundly by a powerful King Jeremy.

 

Some other races of the day that you should take note of were the second and third. In the second race the On Target filly Eighty Proof put in a powerful race to grab the win. Watch for her in the near future. She will no doubt step up in class. And in the third race, a filly, Golden Needles, running against the boys in the 6 ½ Furlong event, won the lion’s share of the $14,000 purse money. She is a well bred and tough little filly who should continue to improve in the coming months. Also in this race was the Allan Jack trained Deputy Spirit, who was on first Lasix, but failed to gain better than fourth. He is bound to improve and run better in his next out on second Lasix, and probably at reasonably long odds (remember, you heard it here first). The only disappointment of the day for me was the sixth race because of the absence of Double J Stables’ Aldergroovy, who had to be scratched due to a virus he’d contracted several days ago. He’s been working very well at Hastings and should run a respectable race in his first career start.

 

Finally, in other news around the Park, last year’s Sovereign Award winning jockey Ben Russell is leading the rider’s list, with Felipe Valdez hot on his heals. I believe it will be a race between these two riders for top spot this year. Also riding well are Frank Fuentes, Dan Brock, and Brian Johnson. On the trainer front, Cindy Krasner is holding the lead, with John Terry Marshall in the hunt. Allan Jack has had a bumpy start with his premier horse Mike K being sidelined for the season, but don’t count him out yet, Jack has some very nice younger horses coming along right now.

 

With a season that promises to be exceptional, I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks at Hastings Park. I hope to see you there. May all your wagers be profitable ones.