30/ 08/ 99 Vancouver – Greetings once again from Vancouver. The current racing meet is galloping towards the wire at Hastings Park. But there are still some exiting racing days ahead before the November 7^th closure. The big $200,00 British Columbia Derby will be happening on Saturday, September 25^th at Hastings Park. This is the single biggest event of the year. Some of you may remember last year’s winner, Vernon Invader. It was an outstanding performance. It will be a significant race if the rumors are true about Katahoula Parish coming out for the event. This horse will be a force to be reckoned with, as he’s been running strong races this year at Woodbine. Other names put forward are Digital Dan, Colors of the Wolf, and Rich R Gold. The way things are shaping up, this will be a “not to be missed” event. 

 

In other news from Hastings Park, it has been reported that Dancewithavictor is out for the season with an injury caused by the noise coming from the PNE. Fireworks, demolition derbies and crowds have been unnerving the horses on the track. Meanwhile, the Hastings' Superfecta is drawing a lot of attention, with last Sunday's 5^th Race offering a Superfecta of $74,730,20. And, with the PNE in full swing, the Hastings’ mutual handle is up with the  casual track attendance by visitors from the fair. This is both a good and bad thing, as it has brought with it an increase in pickpockets and missing articles being reported at the track. In Hastings’ favor I have to commend the work of the track’s staff and security, who always do a first class job of taking care of their regular patrons.

 

Last weekend saw the running of the Canadian Derby at Northlands Park, Edmonton. A number of Hastings invaders showed up for the event. Among the local horses in the money were, Ice In Space who placed in the Heart Of Oaks, and Vernon Invader, who came third in the Western Handicap. Other notable runs by Hastings’ horses were made by Popsicle Pete who placed in the Manitoba Derby on August 2^nd, and the B.C. bred Handy N Bold, who won the Governor’s Handicap at Emerald Downs on August 7^th. As I said in my last report, B.C. breeders and trainers have a great deal to be proud of; our horses are second to none in quality of performance.

 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take in some of the Equine events at the PNE Agrodome. There were some fine performances by Welsh Ponies and Cattle Penning horses. Having been away from the equine world until recently, I am having to do my homework in an attempt to catch up with all the new breeds available and the advances made in the training and care of horses. In my day Arabians and Appaloosas were considered exotics, as there weren’t very many of them in Canada. But today every conceivable breed of horse is readily available, and at reasonable prices.

 

While at the Agrodome I had the chance to meet and chat with some of the wonderful folks from the Horse Council of B.C., and picked up some of their literature on equine matters. I was astonished to learn of the number of former city dwellers, now living in the country, who are complaining to the provincial and local authorities about the animal smells and noises of the country. This has led to a series of regulations being brought into force by the provincial government dictating the number of animals, their maintenance and manure disposal on farms. Call me “old fashioned,” but I always equated the charm of the country with the presence of animals. I’m a believer in rules and regulations, but there are limits which separate the reasonable from the ridiculous. My petulant nattering aside, I am pleased to see that the horse industry in B.C. is strong and growing on all fronts, in spite of the red tape owners have to wade through. And, for anyone interested in contacting the Horse Council of B.C., their address is: 2669 Deacon Street, Abbostsford, B.C., V2T 6H3, or they can be accessed through their web site at www.horsecouncilbc.com. They have many publications and brochures available.

 

Until my next column, may all your horses be swift, and may your wagers pay off at long odds.