Don’t know about you but whenever one of those e-mails from the forward by rote contacts arrives in the inbox with the subject line stating: too funny, gonna love this or must read those are the first that get trashed.
Phil knows that the Enead knows what must be read.
Phil has a question:
Do you think that there is one politician in the world who understands this concept.
NY Times – Kepner – Rob Manfred Using Commissioner’s Role to Expand Baseball in Various Forms
Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
Yogi Berra
If you didn’t know those 2 were coming then don’t bother reading on.
The Globe And Mail – Sufrin – Peak hop: Obssession with flavour may be dulling our beer palates
NY Times – Our Best Father’s Day Recipes
Phil’s Favourite Father’s Day Recipe
Phil’s vignette of Canadian History:
This is a new land – a land of pretension because it is new; because classes and systems have not had that time to grow here naturally. We have no aristocracy but of virtue and talent, which is the only true aristocracy, and is the old and true meaning of the term.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee
Another of Phil’s Favourite Father’s Day Recipes
Garden and Gun – Mischner – A Vintage Father’s Day Cocktail
I tell the kids, somebody’s gotta win, somebody’s gotta lose. Just don’t fight about it. Just try to get better.
Yogi Berra
Brisnet – Mr. Z gamely prevails in Ohio Derby
Bloodhorse – Novak – Mr. Z Has His Day in Ohio Derby
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – U.S.-Based Undrafted Wins Diamond Jubilee
NY Times – Duckworth – Want to See Ascot Races? Bettor, Bring Your Top Hat
NY Times – Hats And Decorum Reign At Ascot
Lady And the Track – Park – Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita Offers Family Fun In The Sun
Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Haskin Resigns as Senior Correspondent
Horse Race Insider – Pricci – All-American Pharoah All the Time
ESPN – Ehalt – Playing the waiting game with American Pharoah
Bloodhorse – ‘Pharoah’ to Parade at Santa Anita June 27
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shea – A social snapshot of reactions after Triple Crown victory
BOTCH PREVAILS IMPRESSIVELY IN WAY SCARFF FORD PURSE
AUBURN, Wash. (June 20, 2015) – Botch and hot-riding Julien Couton teamed for an impressive 2 ¼-length victory Saturday in the $21,000 Way Scarff Ford Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
With Couton aboard for his third winning ride on the card, Botch ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.38 and paid $6.60, $3.60 and $2.60. Blaine Wright trains the 5-year-old winner for owners Luigi DiPietro and Diana DiPietro.
A Kentucky-bred by Brother Derek, Botch is among the most consistent older horses at the track, compiling a 2-2-0 record in four starts with earnings of $32,150.
In fifth early as Tim Tim Tim led through fractions of :22.11 and :45.21, Botch advanced outside on the turn, split horses into the lane and kicked clear for the victory.
Couton, meanwhile, is pouring it on atop the riders’ standings. The 34-year-old Frenchmen has 40 wins through the first 27 days, and he already has fourth three-win day and 10 two-win days, and leads Juan Gutierrez by six wins in the standings.
Calculated Chaos, ridden by Gutierrez, chased Botch to the wire but settled for second place, and paid $4.20 and $2.40. A 5-year-old Notional gelding, Calculated Chaos was bidding to become the meet’s first four-time winner.
Westley, ridden by Jake Barton, finished well for third and paid $2.80 to show.
Dare Me Devil, Pakokohe and Tim Tim Tim completed the order of finish. Polish Dollar and Parkers Bluff were scratched.
NOTES: Gutierrez and Rocco Bowen each had two wins Saturday. . .Barkley ($6) caught long shot Beauty Has Power late and scored a 3 ¼-length victory in the Saturday opener for 2-year-old maiden special weights, running 4 ½ furlongs in :52.29. Javier Matias rode the son of Munnings for Howard Belvoir and Rising Star Stable III. . .
Belvoir and Matias are a hot combination at Emerald Downs. They also clicked in Friday’s feature with 3-year-old colt Red Ridge, and are 7-for-29 at the meet with a $2.78 ROI. . .
Finding More ($4.60) produced another big effort to easily defeat a good field of optional claiming fillies and mares in 1:17.26 for 6 ½ furlongs. Ridden by Eliska Kubinova for Jim Penney and Blue Ribbon Racing #12, Finding More is two-for-two at the meet and 6-0-2 in 20 lifetime starts with earnings of $170,796. A 5-year-old by Tricky Trevor-Greenmountain Girl, Finding More was state champion 2-year-old in 2012. . .
Whiskeyonthehouse ($5.60) prevailed in race five and became the meet’s third three-time winner. The 5-year-old Washington-bred has wins this season at six furlongs, 6 ½ furlongs and one mile. . .
Trainer Candi Tollett has won with her last three starters including a gate-to-wire victory by Twelfth Fan ($5.60) in Saturday’s sixth race. . .
Hastings Racecourse-based Cindy Krasner saddled her first Emerald Downs winner, as Emeraldcity Kitten ($12) led gate-to-wire in race two for older fillies and mares. . .
Blues Blaster, owned and trained by former Northwest jockey Bruce Dillenbeck, scored a mammoth $83.20 upset in the $50,000 Oak Tree Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at Pleasanton. A 4-year-old Chhaya Dance colt, Blues Blaster ran 1 1/16 miles on dirt in 1:42.56. Eagle Screams finished second while the Jerry Hollendorfer tandem of Oustide Nashville and G.G. Ryder finished third and fourth respectively. . .
Live racing continues Sunday with unbeaten Fooled Again headlining the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap for 3-year-old colts and geldings at one mile. First post is 2 p.m.
$50,000 COCA-COLA HANDICAP
TESTS SOPHS AROUND TWO TURNS
A balanced field of nine 3-year-old colts and geldings race one mile Sunday in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap at Emerald Downs.
Fooled Again, undefeated in two starts including a 1 ¼-length victory in the Auburn Handicap, is the probable favorite for trainer Howard Belvoir. A $43,000 colt by Scat Daddy, Fooled Again ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.22 in the Auburn, defeating several of the horses he’ll meet again Sunday.
Gloria’s Angelo, second in the Auburn, is ready for another crack at Fooled Again, as are third-place finisher Senna, fourth-place O B Harbor and sixth-place Prime Engine. Making their stakes debuts are Betrbegone, Awesome Indian, Thetrailerguy and Percy Fawcett.
Prime Engine is the only two-turn stakes winner in the field. The Northern Afleet colt dusted Trackattacker and four others in the 1 1/16-mile Gottsetin Futurity last fall, but was cooked after an early pace duel with Daytona Beach in the Auburn. The :44.01 half-mile was perfect for Fooled Again, as he swamped the tired leaders into the lane and held off a wall of closers for the victory.
Senna, third at 54-to-1 in the Auburn, and Percy Fawcett, in from Golden Gate Fields, also have produced mile victories in their careers, albeit vs. far softer competition.
Thetrailerguy could give trainer Monique Snowden her first career stakes winner. A Kentucky-bred by Henny Hughes-Unbridled Glory, Thetrailerguy has run three strong races at the meet, most recently a head win over Awesome Indian in 1:16.78 for 6 ½ furlongs in a May 31 allowance.
“All along we felt that he was going to be a distance horse,” Snowden said. “We hoped that he would be successful running shorter, but since day one we always felt a mile was his distance. He gets stronger and better the farther he goes.
“What makes him such a nice horse is his ability to relax,” Snowden added. “He can be in the middle of the pack, get dirt kicked in his face or get bumped around and he thinks its fun. He thinks racing is the best game we ever invented for him.”
Monique Snowden playing with Thetrailerguy at her barn Thursday.Thetrailerguy drew post No. 7 with Julien Couton, the meet’s leading rider, taking the mount.
The Coca-Cola Handicap is Race 9 at 6:09 p.m.
Sunday’s weather forecast is for clear & 78 degrees.
Average field size thru seven stakes is 9.2 horses. Average $2 win payoff is $22.40.
Sunday’s 10th race is a $25,000 allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile and features four horses nominated to the Coca-Cola: Fire the Trainer, Cash N Dash, Daytona Beach and Arrom Bear.
The field for the 20th running of the Coca-Cola Handicap: Gloria’s Angelo, Joe Steiner, 118 lbs; Prime Engine, Leslie Mawing, 119; Betrbegone, Javier Matias, 117; Awesome Indian, Rocco Bowen, 115; Senna, Francisco Duran ,116; Fooled Again, Juan Gutierrez, 119; Thetrailerguy, Julien Couton, 117; Percy Fawcett, Gallyn Mitchell, 115; O B Harbor, Jake Barton, 117.
From the Ground, Up!
Conditioner Monique Snowden continues to rise up the ranks, improving her winning percentage each of the four years of her training career.
| Year | Winning Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5% | |
| 2011 | 14% | |
| 2014 | 28% | |
| 2015 | 42% | |
| — Emerald Downs Media | ||
Washington-breds Stryker Phd, Noosito and Absolutely Cool finishing one, two, three in Sunday’s Budweiser.WA-BREDS SHOW PLENTY OF TALENT IN BUD
In case it escaped notice, Sunday’s $50,000 Budweiser Handicap was a showcase of the highest order for Washington-bred talent.
The top three finishers—Stryker Phd, Noosito and Absolutely Cool—are all WA-bred, and the trio couldn’t have picked a better time to strut their stuff. The Budweiser Handicap, after all, is part of the track’s glamour division—older handicap horses—and an important prep for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 16.
Before Sunday, Washington-breds were pitching a shutout in stakes at the meeting—0-for-5—as Kentucky-breds Fleet Eagle, Fooled Again and Kikisoblu (twice) all scored stakes wins, as did California-bred Deb’s Wildcard.
Stryker Phd bucked the trend, scoring a hard-earned neck victory over Noosito, running one mile in 1:35.57, with Absolutely Cool 2 ½ lengths back in third. Stryker Phd, Noosito and Absolutely Cool earned Beyers of 97, 97 and 92—the three largest figures of the 25-day-old meeting.
Incidentally, Stryker Phd (6yo), Noosito (4yo), and Absolutely Cool (8yo) are all Washington champions, and their combined record is 19-16-18 in 66 starts and earnings of $801,072. Stryker Phd is defending Horse of the Meeting and defending Longacres Mile champ, and now has five straight wins at Emerald Downs.
JIM PENNEY DOING OK THURSDAY AFTER FRACTURING HIS PELVIS
Washington Racing’s Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney was in good spirits and resting comfortably at Auburn’s Valley Regional Hospital on Thursday, according to his daughter and assistant trainer Kay Cooper.
Penney, who turns 81 on July 4, suffered a fractured pelvis Monday after falling from his trailer while loading horses. Cooper said the doctors are also concerned that Penney may have injured his shoulder, which will be further evaluated this week.
“He’s in some pain, but he’s still acting like his old stubborn self over there,” Cooper said jokingly. “The good news is that he won’t have to have surgery. It’ll just take some time to heal.”
MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: CALCULATED CHAOS & WESTLEY
Saturday’s ninth and feature rolls out the track’s top older claimers including Calculated Chaos and Westley, who’ll face off in the Media Match-Up of the Week!
Calculated Chaos (pictured left) is the meet’s only 3-time winner and has been a beast at Emerald Downs, where he’s 4-2-2 in 11 starts. The 5-year-old gelding proved that he can win from off the pace and should be right there when they hit the stretch.
Westley is a stone runner and might have tested Gross Misconduct with a clean trip last week. The 4-year-old gelding faces some tough foes in this one—most notably Calculated Chaos—but draws a cushy outside post and figures for a great trip from slightly off the pace. Trainer Gary Lonctot and owner Bryan Smith operate a productive low-profile barn, compiling a 4-2-0 record in nine starts the last two seasons.
Also entered: Tim Tim Tim, Dare Me Devil, Botch and Pakokohe.
THE PRESS BOX PODCAST IS BACK!
The 45-minute program will showcase every stakes race this season including Sunday’s $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap and an interview with trainer Monique Snowden, who saddles Thetrailerguy.
Hosted by Jacob Pollowitz (Professor Pollowitz) and Vince Bruun (Mr. Media), The Press Box Podcast starts approx. 30 minutes before post time before each stakes and includes horsemen interviews, handicapping, Matt Dinerman’s live race call, the Winner’s Circle interview and a comprehensive look at the race’s history.
You can listen to the show live or recorded just by going to the track website at emeralddowns.com or at mixlr.com/emerald-downs.
Percy Fawcett, set to run in Sunday’s Coca-Cola Handicap, headlined Thursday’s “Training Day” with a three-furlong bullet in :35.40 (1/11) for trainer Frank Lucarelli and owner Randall & Rossi LLC.
SUNDAY PREVIEW
Racing resumes at Hastings Racecourse this afternoon with an eight race card that will showcase eight $25,000 optional claimers going six and a half furlongs in race number six.
Starting from the inside is Bryan and Carol Anderson and Jim Eccott’s Neverabettercause who was well backed at the mutuels in his 2015 debut but could only manage a fifth place effort. The former two year old B.C. champion will be more of a threat with a race under his belt and two solid morning works. Wesley Henry rides for trainer Pat Jarvis.
Norma and Leo Shaw’s Distillery is going to be dangerous on the class drop today. He was a troubled fifth behind tougher competition last month and with a better trip he should be tough to beat. Richard Hamel once again gets the call from Craig MacPherson.
Rick Hunter recently claimed Brackendale for $8,000 out of his second winning effort of the season. He is getting a much tougher test running with this group but he is razor sharp and his winning pilot Pedro Alvarado sticks with him for new trainer Nancy Betts.
Another recent claim is Bluegrass Pride who was purchased off of an 18 month layoff for $16,000 by the Whieldon Thoroughbreds. The former stakes winner was a game second behind a very accomplished horse so it would no surprise to see him improve off of that race and be a top chance today. Antonio Reyes rides for a dangerous high percentage trainer Rosann Anderson.
Kay and Sue Ohashi’s After The Conflict enjoyed a an easy time of it on the head end in his last start and held on for the win against slightly easier company. He will have to work harder for the lead today but has shown in the past that he can run fast early and be in the thick of it at the wire. Ryan Pacheco gets the call from Patty Leaney.
The Century Plaza Stables’ Laguna Blaze was a close fourth in his first out this year in a conditional allowance race. This is a tougher assignment running with $25,000 claimers but if he can get a decent pace up front he could make his presence felt in the stretch. Alex Marti will team up with Carl Lausten.
Len Fielding’s Finally Diamonds just missed in his return to Hastings finishing second by a half-length for trainer Barbara Heads. He loses his pilot to Distillery but picks up Keishan Balgobin who has been hot of late.
The heavy betting choice in this dash will be the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company’s Devil in Disguise who exits stakes calibre races in favour of this $25,000 event. He is likely a bit better going farther but at this price it likely won’t matter. He has two smoking five-eighths drills (58 4/5 and 59 2/5) since his last race. Troy Taylor will leg up David Lopez on the son of Smarty Jones.
| Race 1 | 3 – KIss Em Goodbye 5 – Cleared to Victory 4 – Call It Even |
5 – Cleared to Victory 1 – Cognac 3 – Kiss Em Goodbye |
| Race 2 | 2 – Similkameen Joey 4 – Carson City Brown 6 – Overtime |
2 – Similkameen Joey 1 – Stoneridge Raider 6 – Overtime |
| Race 3 | 1 – Texas Alley Kat 6 – Our Bonita Rose 7 – Chianti |
7 – Chianti 1 – Texas Alley Kat 3 – Awesome Cause |
| Race 4 | 6 – Blended 5 – Cute Little Vixen 2 – Ebony Cat |
6 – Blended 7 – Katchin Fire 5 – Cute Little Vixen |
| Race 5 | 2 – Captain Salt 10 – Vying for Glory 4 – Texas Buccaneer |
4 – Texas Buccaneer 8 – Roy’s Dream 9 – Aka Lily’s Lad |
| Race 6 | 8 – Devil in Disguise 4 – Bluegrass Pride 7 – Finally Diamonds |
8 – Devil in Disguise 4 – Bluegrass Pride 2 – Distillery |
| Race 7 | 7 – Kiri’s Gal 6 – C.A. Miss 1 – Clarisse B |
6 – C.A. Miss 7 – Kiri’s Gal 4 – Bamboo Dream |
| Race 8 | 4 – Private Bounty 3 – Lookout Dubai 6 – Proxyman |
3 – Lookout Dubai 7 – Principe’s Herbie 4 – Private Bounty |
| Mike’s Picks | Drew’s Picks |
|---|
Celebrate your King with the Sport of Kings this Father’s Day!
Father’s Day Buffet:
Enjoy one of our delicious buffets. Choose from either the action packed, sun-filled outdoor Grandstand Patio or go with the more contemporary traditional approach in our famous indoor SILKS Restaurant.
Info:
Category: Live Racing
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2015
First Race: 1:50pm
Book Your Group:
Reserve your box seat at 604.216.5204
Or book online with our Online Group Registration HERE
Bloodhorse – Moore Establishes Royal Ascot Riding Record
Lady and the Track – Hammer – Stellar Wind and Victor Espinoza Take Summertime Oaks
Brisnet – Stellar Wind ekes out Summertime Oaks win over stubborn Tara’s Tango
Bloodhorse – Balan – Stellar Wind Edges ‘Tango’ in Summertime Oaks
Horse Race Insider – Jicha – Horses haven’t changed, trainers have
Horse Race Insider – Indulto – Addressing the Weakness in the Preakness
Bloodhorse – Compton – Candy Ride Colt Breaks Record in OBS Finale
Bloodhorse – Compton – Record Tied Again at Third OBS June Session
Bloodhorse – Compton – Into Mischief Colt Ties Record at OBS Day Two
OBS – Record Scat Daddy colt tops June’s opening session
Bloodhorse – Compton – Record-Priced Colt Leads OBS June Opener
June 21
Assiniboia Downs
Free Press Stake $25,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Golden Boy Stake $25,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Belmont Park
New York Stallion Stake (Cupecoy’s Joy Div. $100,000 3yo Fillies R 7fTurf
New York Stallion Stake (Spectacular Bid Div. $100,000 3yo R 7f Turf
Canterbury Park
Dark Star Cup $75,000 3&up 6.5f Dirt
Northbound Pride Oaks $75,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Charles Town
Coin Collector Stake $50,000 3yo State/Prov 4.5f Dirt
Emerald Downs
Coca-Cola Handicap $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings 8f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Hakodate Sprint Stake GIII $685,000 3&up 6f Turf
Unicorn Stake GIII $618,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Monmouth Park
Dan Horn Handicap $60,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Turf
Pegasus Stake GIII $150,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Oak Tree at Pleasanton
Pleasanton Oaks $50,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Landaluce Stake L $125,000 2yo Fillies 5.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Juvenile L $125,000 2yo 5.5f Dirt
Woodbine
King Edward Stake CanGII $200,000 3&up 8f Turf
Jun 26
Prairie Meadows
Iowa Distaff (L $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Iowa Sprint Handicap (L $125,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Saylorville Stake (L $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
June 27
Arapahoe Park
CTBA Derby $40,000 3yo State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Assiniboia Downs
Chantilly Stake $25,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Belmont Park
Mother Goose Stake GI $300,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Bashford Manor Stake GIII $100,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Debutante Stake (L $100,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Firecracker Stake GII $200,000 3&up 8f Turf
Kelly’s Landing #$65,000 3&up 7f Dirt
Monmouth Park
Eatontown Stake GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Oak Tree at Pleasanton
Oak Tree Distaff $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Prairie Meadows
Iowa Derby GIII $250,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Iowa Oaks GIII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap GIII $300,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Parx
Turning for Home Stake $75,000 3&up 8.32f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Royal Heroine Stake GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Senorita Stake GIII $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
The Gold Cup at Santa Anita GI BC $500,000 3&up 10f Dirt
Triple Bend Stake GI $300,000 3&up 7f Dirt
ThistleDown
J. William Petro Memorial Handicap $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
June 28
Arapahoe Park
Front Range $40,000 3&up 7f Dirt
Belmont Park
Dancin Renee Stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Emerald Downs
Irish Day Handicap $50,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Takarazuka Kinen GI BC $2,721,000 3&up 11f Turf
Monmouth Park
Mr. Prospector Stake (L $75,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
San Juan Capistrano Stake GIII $150,000 3&up abt 14f Turf
Woodbine
My Dear Stake $125,000 2yo Fillies 5f AW
July 1
Assiniboia Downs
Canada Day Stake $25,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
Les Bois Park
Chris Christian Futurity $10,000 2yo 5f Dirt
Hastings Race Course
Chris Loseth Handicap $50,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Lieutenant Governors $50,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Monashee $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Supernaturel $50,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Northlands Park
Sales Stake $50,000 3&4yo Fillies State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Sales Stake $50,000 3&4yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Dominion Day Stake CanGIII $150,000 3&up 10f AW
July 2
Los Alamitos Race Course
Bertrando Stake $75,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Dirt
Bloodhorse – Balana – Mr. Jordan Makes Grade in Pegasus Stakes
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Barolo, Salama Win BC Berths in South America
Bloodhorse – June 21 Races in Brazil, Peru Offer BC Berths
BY GLEN TODD
The weather and exciting thoroughbred action continues to delight the fans at beautiful Hastings Racecourse. Hastings continues to set records in 2015 as for the first time in Vancouver racing history the first 16 days of the race meet were contested over fast racing strips. Fingers crossed as there seems to be no end in sight for this favourable sunny weather, which is what any outdoor sport needs for large crowds.
The live racing and overall handle has been up over last year, which is essential going forward. The field size is also better than last year with slightly over a seven horse average heading to the starting gate for each race, and field size as we all know, is the driving force behind maximum pari-mutuel play.
With one-third of the season already behind us Richard Hamel has a slight lead over Pedro Alvarado in the jockey standings and Mike Anderson continues to visit the winners circle frequently, leading the trainers list ahead of top percentage trainer Dino Condilenios.
After this weekend there is a slight tweak to the racing calendar as we will race on Wednesday, July 1st and then on Sunday, July 5th. There will be no live racing on Saturday, July 4th. The Saturday & Sunday schedule resumes on July 11th and 12th and will remain that way through the remainder of July.
The aforementioned Wednesday, July 1st holiday card will feature four stakes races and two Champions starter allowance races – for horses that have started for $8,000 or less in 2014-2015. One race is for colts and geldings and the other for fillies and mares. (A reminder that claimed horses need to re-establish their eligibility).
Nominations close this Saturday, June 20th for: the Champions starter races, the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor’s for three year olds and up, the $50,000 Monashee for fillies and mares, the $50,000 Chris Loseth for three year olds and the $50,000 Supernaturel for three year old fillies.
All four of these stakes races will be contested over one mile and a sixteenth.
See you at the races!
IT WAS ANOTHER GREAT WEEKEND OF HORSE RACING
This past weekend we completed live racing days 15 & 16 at Hastings Racecourse and everyone of them have been run over a fast track.
The crowd on Saturday in the warm, sunny weather was once again very large as well as very encouraging with numerous new faces and demographic must be lowering by the week.
HASTINGS CLUB OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY
The members of the Hastings Racing Club met Sunday morning for an introduction of what was to be expected during the season. From the feedback I received no one left disappointed.
The turnout was around 150 people and the refreshments we heard were awesome and they all got to see their first horse perform on the track.
Richard Yates pipes in with they now have over 150 members and he still answering emails and questions daily form other interested parties.
The executive of the club continues to search for that all important second horse and hopefully will find something this week. I know that have a lot of feelers out in the US Market.
TUESDAY IS STATS DAY AS USUAL
After sixteen days of racing we have run a total of 110 overnight races and 10 stakes races. The total number of races run is 120 and a total of 843 horses have started in those races.
That bring are average up to 7.03 horse per race as the field size this weekend was well over 7 for both Saturday and Sunday. With an educated guess I would think we are as strong start wise as any track in the mid-west and west coast.
Several first timers this weekend and with the two year olds appearing to be nearly ready or ready to run should help increase our horse population.
WINTER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Wintering Incentive Program has now gone over budget with a total payout of $204,000.00, so that means 102 horses have now been paid the $2000 incentive and its good thing for a change to be over budget.
PURSE PAYOUTS FOR 16 DAYS
The purse payout continues to be best in the west with a total of $133,395.00 per race being paid out.
The total overnight payout to date is !,634,324.00 and that is within our budget for the year.
This is the first time in the past five years we have been within budget and the reason for that is the total cooperation of the racing secretary and management working with the horsemen’s associations to control our purse pool.
The BC Bred payout for sixteen days is only $156,639.99 which quite a bit lower then the last few years as fewer BC Breds are winning. I find that very strange as 76% of the horses on the grounds are BC Bred?
The six – 12 finishers currently stands at $18,685 which is only 1 % of the total purse. The main reason for that is the change in 2015 paying the first eight finishers.
And Now Is The Spring With Which We Were Quite Content Made Glorious Summer
The first day of summer was another beauty. There was a large and lively gathering on hand at historic old Hastings Racecourse to celebrate Father’s Day and Solstice and anything else that came to mind. Festive was in the air and on the tarmac. Dad must have gotten some envelopes with the odd fiver in them because we had another good wagering day, in the neighborhood of $660K. The featured sixth, an Allowance Optional with 8 solid older horses, handled $138,000. But enough crass commercialism, it was, after all, Father’s Day.
Brackendale Elevates His Game
The featured sixth race, an Allowance Optional Claimer for three-and-up non-winners of two races (three for BC-breds), the option being a $25,000 price tag, was won by Brackendale ($13.80) who stepped up from $8,000 and ran a race that was more dominating than the one length margin he had at the conclusion of the 6 ½ furlong sprint would indicate. He took 1:15.96 over a very fast racetrack under jockey Pedro Alvarado who was winning his third in a row. Devil in Disguise ran a very game second after drifting wide on the final turn while Distillery cut the corner and moved into second, only to be relegated to third again by the resurgent Devil in Disguise.
The first three ran around the racetrack essentially in formation, but while the wingmen did some maneuvering among themselves, Brackendale was always the squadron leader. He went three-quarters in 1:09.23, a time in the range that only good horses (Modern, Rather Beautiful, Herbie D, Title Contender) have gone in this year, regardless of how fast the track has been.
Brackendale needed about six and three-fifths seconds to finish the last sixteenth and the two chasers, Devil in Disguise and Distillery, both ran hard without ever looking like they were going to catch the winner who has, as they say, taken it to the next level.
Prescott Farms bred Brackendale in British Columbia and sold the son of Forest Grove for $14,000 in the 2012 CTHS Sale. He is owned by Rick Hunter and trained by Nancy Betts. Brackendale broke his maiden at Del Mar for $20,000 last November, but may not have cared for the track at Los Alamitos. He ran two poor races there, before going on what is now a three race win streak at Hastings.
Kiss Em Goodbye Says Farewell
The opener was a $16,000 open claimer for three-year-olds and it was won by Kiss Em Goodbye ($6.90) with Marklee Buchanan up and providing a first-rate front-running ride and a final time of 1:17.23 for the 6 ½ furlongs. After a first quarter in 22.73, Buchanan slowed it down and gave Kiss Em Goodbye a 24 second quarter while maintaining a clear length on Cleared to Victory. From there he opened up a margin that continued to widen all the way home. Call It Even got past a tiring Cleared to Victory late to be second by a neck while presenting no problem for the winner who was a long three lengths clear.
Kiss Em Goodbye was bred in British Columbia by his owners, Mel and Fran Snow. The trainer is Mel Snow.
Texas Alley Cat And Blended Break Maidens
There were a couple of $25,000 maiden claimers on the card, one for two-year-olds at 3 ½ furlongs and one for older fillies and mares at 6 ½. The two-year-old version went to the filly Texas Alley Cat $5.80) who covered the Baby Course in a respectable 39.80 for rider David Lopez and trainer Troy Taylor. Glen Todd and Greystone Farm bred the winner who is owned by the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company.
The race for older fillies and mares was won by Blended ($3.70) who chased the 22-1 shot Ebony Cat for a half-mile before putting her away and moving to enough daylight to hold off the determined close of Race the Wind who came up just short to finish second, two lengths clear of Casual Belief in third. Final time for the 6 ½ furlongs was 1:18.15 and it kicked off Pedro Alvarado’s three race run.
Blended broke through the gate prior to the start but did not get away from the assistant starter and rider. She did a little cha cha after they reclosed the gate and did not break absolutely on time. Regardless, she quickly put herself in stalking position and then moved to the winning position.
Canmor Farms owns, Mark Cloutier trains.
Also Noteworthy:
Pedro Alvarado’s second win came on Captain Salt ($13.50) in the fifth. Captain Salt was harassed the entire way while setting the pace and withstanding three different challenges along the mile-and-a-sixteenth route that took 1:46.01 to complete. He also had to withstand a rider claim of foul for allegedly tightening things up on Minstrel’s Time as they came to the wire. The stewards found no offense. Robert and Victoria Gilker own Captain Salt, Robert Gilker trains him.
Marklee Buchanan got his double with a win in the opener as mentioned and in the last with Lookout Dubai ($6.00) for owner Mitch Sutherland and trainer James Brown. The winner went to a new barn after the race.
On a track that was clearly favouring speed, only Bamboo Dream ($16.20) did any significant closing to win when she took the seventh with a well-timed ride from Alexander Marti after being sixth and last at the half. She ran for U M A Racing Stables. Patty Leaney trained. She too changed barns.
Shortest price of the day was Similkameen Joey ($3.00) who did not fail as the 1 to 2 favorite in the second. He led from start to finish for rider Sahin Civaci, owner the Black Label Stable and trainer William Konyk, Jr.
Alvarado’s triple gives him 22 wins for the season, three behind leader Richard Hamel. Alexander Marti and Marklee Buchanan are tied for third with 14 apiece. On the trainer side, Mike Anderson continues to lead with 13, but Troy Taylor has moved into second with 10, one more than Dino Condilenios and Craig MacPherson with 9.
Hastings Wrap-up For The Day Before Summer—by Richard Yates
And Here Comes Solstice
It was another one of those spectacular days we have been having, the second longest of the year as it happens, and it brought out a large Saturday crowd to historic old Hastings Racecourse, the Track of the Water and Mountains. There was some decent mid-range racing that produced some more than decent performances. People and horses found the mix of sun and breeze to their liking, as did the track that played on the fast side with three of the seven races being won wire-to-wire, and no horse closing from further back than fourth. The handle was right at $450k
Shuswap Ends Up On Top
The feature race on Saturday was the fifth, a Maiden Special Weight for three-and –ups that went with three-year-olds only, nine of them in this case, and the fastest was Shuswap ($22.00) who covered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.55, good for a half-length margin over the late, but fast, closing Torniador. Windstrong ran third, another half-length back, after making a visually impressive sustained run that began early on the backside and continued wide around the final turn before he lost a little steam in the late going.
Shuswap broke alertly to lead briefly before being passed by the quick The Odds R Good and they were on their smoking way to a 21.78 quarter. A head behind at that point, jockey Antonio Reyes let Shuswap fall away from a pace that saw a 44.51 half-mile being contested by The Odds R Good and Crackdown who had moved past Shuswap to challenge.
Midway on the final turn Windstrong moved past the winner to make him fourth, but he was on the rail and running and when The Odds R Good drifted out and opened up hole at the head of the lane, Shuswap moved through to the lead. Shuswap did not look like he was going to get caught once he hit the front on the rail, but the runs that Torniador and Windstrong put in are worth remembering for next time.
The winner was bred in British Columbia by Pooli Thoroughbreds and sold in the 2013 CTHS sale for $43,000. Edgar B. Smith owns and Rob Gilker trains. Shuswap ran a well beaten sixth in his debut, improved to third when dropped in for $25K and got this Maiden Special Weight win in his third start. To state the obvious, he is an improving horse.
Fire Beauty Runs Pretty Fast
There were three $16,000 claiming races of various descriptions on the card, but the outstanding performance of Fire Beauty ($4.10) in the opener, a 6 ½ furlong sprint for three-and-up fillies and mares, merits mention. Fire Beauty broke on top of the field of non-winners of two (three for BC-breds) and went right to the front while, first, Flare Miss and then S.L. Express chased her around the track without any obvious chance of ever catching up. S.L. Express finished 5 ½ lengths back in second but was still almost eight lengths ahead of Kataliah in third.
Fire Beauty hit the half in 45.39 and the three-quarters in 1:09.63. She did not slow down much coming to the wire, getting the last sixteenth in 6 and 3/5 seconds for a final time of 1:16.26. Jockey Antonio Reyes was never sufficiently in doubt about the outcome to do anything other than hand ride the winner home.
Fire Beauty, a daughter of Skimming, was bred in British Columbia by R.J.T. Thoroughbreds. Her dam, the Beau Genius mare Good Thinking, has another good runner at Hastings in Fire Beauty’s half-brother Smart Focus. Fire Beauty is owned by Don Danard and trained by Mel Snow.
Also Noteworthy:
Saturday had more doubles than Wimbledon. Antonio Reyes won on the opener on the aforementioned Fire Beauty to go along with his win on Shuswap, but that’s just the beginning.
Richard Hamel also had a riding double. He won the fourth on Spirit River ($8.70) for owner Eagle Spirit Gallery and trainer Charlene Miller and the last with Fourth in Command ($9.80) for Grayross Stable and trainer Craig MacPherson. As it happens, the five-year-old gelding Spirit River and the three-year-old filly Fourth in Command are full brother and sister. Embree Farms bred both of them in British Columbia, giving them a breeding double. Both call Second in Command daddy, so that’s a stud double for him and since the Wild Wonder mare River’s Reach foaled both, there’s a two-bagger for her. Second in Command stands at Road’s End Farm.
We are not done. Mel Snow had a training double with the previously discussed Fire Beauty in the opener and the nine-year-old Ganbei ($13.90) in the second for co-owner Fran Snow and himself. Pedro Alvarado rode and the final time of 1:44.03 for the mile-and-a-sixteenth is going to get it done for $12,500 just about every time.
Notis Zen ($6.90) beat a field of her elders when she won the third as the only three-year-old in the race for owner/breeder Jim Alendal and owner/trainer Phillip Hall. Aside from the almost even-money Fire Beauty in the first, the only winning favorite was Three Way Trade ($5.70) in the sixth who scored under David Lopez for Mark Dedomenico and North American Thoroughbred Company, the trainer being Troy Taylor.
Factoid: 43 of the 44 horses that have started in 3-and-up Maiden Special Weight races have been three-year-olds. They have won all of them.
Bloodhorse – Reddam’s 2-Year-Olds Shine in SA Juvenile
Brisnet – Dame Dorothy calls audible, wires Bed o’ Roses
Bloodhorse – Dame Dorothy Speeds to Bed O’ Roses Victory
Bloodhorse – Angst – Solow Rolls in Queen Anne to Open Royal Ascot
Bloodhorse – Porter – Pedigree Analysis: Solow
Bloodhorse – Triple Crown Stars Still Riding High
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shields – Alex Solis: ‘I only want to bring benefit to the sport’
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have.
Thomas Jefferson
“I’ve paid my own way (to commission meetings) numerous times because local horsemen will be devastated and the local economy will be devastated,” Zook said. “The government has devastated our industry by confiscating millions of dollars from the purse fund.”
Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Mountaineer Wins Approval to Drop 50 Dates
Phil has a question:
Does anyone other than a fool believe that the government of any state or province thinks that slot monies from slots at racetracks belong to the horsemen and not to the government to allocate according to whim du jour.
Does anyone other than a fool believe that a few motherhood and apple pie commercials and a couple of posts on a website will convince the government of any state or province that slot monies from slots at racetracks belong to the horsemen and not to the government to allocate according to whim du jour.
Phil has a question:
How many Tory cronies showed up over the weekend only to be disappointed as this was not the barrel they expected.
Save the Date!CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOCIETY
(ALBERTA DIVISION)
2015 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale
Sunday, September 20th, 2015
Northlands Park EXPO Centre – Edmonton, Alberta
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MAIN CATALOGUE
DEADLINE FOR MAIN CATALOGUE: FRIDAY, JUNE 26th, 2015
Brisnet – He’s Comin in Hot slated for Bashford Manor
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Official stations of horse racing.
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ZARETSKY JUNIOR GOT IT RIGHT! Wins Insider Stanley Cup contest. Rod Zaretsky not only predicted, in The Insider contest, that the Blackhawks and Lightning would meet in the Stanley Cup final, he also got the winner correct (Blackhawks). Which means he gets a $50 win/place wager on the Manitoba Derby on the first Monday in August. Great picking, Rod, and thanks, again, to all who entered!
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DO THE DOWNS
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Get your tickets for Father’s Day BBQ ribs special
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CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE
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RAMPING UP THE FUN ON DAD’S DAY: While kids get to pet animals (and bounce to their heart’s content and take pony rides) on Father’s Day, dads (and others) get to win one of five $200 prize packages that includes the water cooler on the right, a one-night stay at the Best Western Plus, a $20 wager and an ASD cap. Fill out an entry form on the way in. Post time: 1:30 p.m.
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Cole Bennett
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YOUNGEST TRAINER IS BACK: Cole Bennett, 18, fresh from his first-ever win two weeks ago returns with three horses tomorrow night including the horse he won with two weeks ago, Super Me (7/2) in the first race. He also has two 3-year-old geldings bred/owned by Dr. Betty Hughes in the sixth and last race: Sailer De Mer (7/2) and first-time starter Notable Magic (20/1). Crazy Hour and quarter horse racing from Los Alamitos follows the live card.
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HOTTIES OF THE WEEK
Hottest jocks: Rohan Singh & Dane Nelson (5 wins)
Hottest trainers: Tom Gardipy Jr., Jared Brown & Murray Duncan (3 wins)
Biggest upset: Why Cry Cowgirl Up $24.40 (Fri 5th)
Biggest 20-cent superfecta: $695 (Fri 6th –2-7-3-4)
BOB’S BLOG TODAY: On Bob’s mind today is the third anniversary of the death of a Downs legend. Read his poignant piece here.
ARE YOU READING GEORGE? In the same place that Bob writes his blog, George Williams takes over on the weekend covering live races. George is a multiple Sovereign Award winning writer but you may also know him as the father of heart-throb Glee actor Marshall Williams who flaunts his killer abs (and more) on-line.
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Lolo hangs it on the gals in a thriller
The $25,000 La Verendrye, the first major stakes of the season featuring top fillies and mares, lived up to its contentious billing last Wednesday when Murray Duncan’s bargain claimer from Oaklawn Park, Go Go Lolo, closed with a flourish to edge out Can’t Use Nellie, paying $4.80 as the favourite. The blanket finish which also included Humorus Dilemma and Holiday Maker augurs well for great girl action all summer.
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WINNER OF $61,000 JACKPOT HI-5: A Manitoba HPI player won the $61,664 Jackpot Hi-5 last Friday and the Downs is inviting him to pose with a giant ASD cheque so he can have a stylish photo keepsake of his betting coup. Even though the favourite won, the next three finishers were the longest shots on the board, which is what set up the giant payoff. These were the top five finishers:
Sheza Shirls Girl (Renaldo Cumberbatch) 9/5
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Dane Nelson
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Lady Aries (Tyrone Nelson) 13/1
Bloodhorse – Peters – Tom Bowling, The Wild Horse
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Waltzing Matilda shows true grit as Tommy Stack again targets US
Shell games and smoke and mirrors are deteriorating our industry’s confidence that a future awaits. People who love the game aren’t replacing horses they sell or lose. Can you blame them?
Standardbred Canada – Anthony Macdonald – Our Industry After Two Years
Except for the names and a few other changes the story’s the same one.
Brisnet – Luna Time denies Joint Return in Obeah
Bloodhorse – Mark My Style, Freudie Anne Take Stakes Aim
Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Laurel Approved to Expand Summer Race Meet
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Masenhelder – Beating the ‘black dog’ out of Victorian racing
The Globe And Mail – McKenna – Milk surplus forcing Canada’s dairy industry to dump supply
The Globe And Mail – McKenna -Canada’s internal trade barriers must fall
Phil has a question:
How can Canada’s internal trade barriers fall when Stephen Harper refuses to attend the First Ministers’ Conferences where all the Provincial PMs are gathered.
NY Times – Beschloss – Clemente, the Double Outsider
I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.
Margaret Thatcher
Phil has a question:
With the Harper Tories launching another vicious personal attack against Justin Trudeau what does that tell us about their abilities to run this country.
National Post – John Ivison: Justin Trudeau says he won’t ‘play the politics of fear’
The Guardian – Mathiesen – You’re really spoiling us: has Ferrero been wrongly accused over Nutella?
In days of yore when Canada still had a few home grown manufacturers and producers Squirrel peanut butter was sold in containers that could be put to other uses.
Peanut Butter’s constant companion provided the curling stones for the winter months.
NY Times – Carroll – To Lose Weight, Eating Less Is Far More Important Than Exercising More
If it’s an everyman money problem Mike Duffy had — get more in, see less out — it is worth remembering that most of those engaged in the same struggle are over-spending their own money, not the public’s.
National Post – Christie Blatchford: Audit shows Mike Duffy was unable to live within his means
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
T. S. Eliot
The Globe and Mail – Cheney – The pony car’s long and difficult ride back to greatness
National Post – Shaviv – Carbon Week: The sun raises the seas
CBC – Old Crow elders, youth map ancient trapping trails
Edith Josie – News From Old Crow
NY Times – The Cost of Letting Young People Drift
NY Times – A Quick Fix in Baseball? Not So Fast
National Post – Washington Post – Hayes – Doctor to parents: Kids shouldn’t be heavier than I am
Phil M Stockmen
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NDP HIRE DODGE AS HRA/CEO DODGE NDP
The hottest rumour this week is that FRED HILTS has been shortlisted to head the transfer from the HRA back to ARC to mould whatever pieces will be left of the racing industry this fall or next spring when the racino agreement ends March 31/2016.
MR. HILTS born in Kennedy sask is left handed which represents 10% population with 5/7 last USA PRESIDENTS being left handed and is a born leader and would shake up the industry just like his thunderous body checks and slapshots.
CENTURY BETS INC. boasts of 100 racetrack agreements NA/WORLDWIDE/handle is dropping?
NORTHLANDS annual reports shows a Sept 2015 strategic plan to transition into future with a city loan of 49.8 million outstanding from the expo centre it must create new streams of revenue!!
The HRA annual captain/chairman going from $75,959 to $79,895 a $64 drop in compensation while the horseman took a 1.7 million hit/ I’m sure the welfare of the racing participants was considered tenile!
ALBERTA LIVE NON-OTB shows 1.9 million clearly dismal with about 180 live racing in Alberta obviously Alberta beef and Pork sells better than Alberta hoof power.
LAWYER JIM’S SMOKIN win picture was overflowing. Jim’s 2 for 2 on Friday nights. Great to see that Jim’s still in the thoroughbred picture. Maybe he’ll be rewarded for his efforts for the horsemen over the last few years.