Page 15 - The Game March 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, March 2006 15
Reviewing the recent announcement of the 2006 Hastings racing dates and Stakes schedule, you can’t help but notice that there have been a few changes.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that BC horsemen will be racing seventy-eight days this season. As for the changes....Unlike past seasons, Hastings will open its doors to live racing on Good Friday, April 14 instead of their typical Saturday date which will be followed by a dark day on Easter Sunday.
The biggest changes this season have to do with the tweaking of their 2006 stakes schedule.
While the purse money of $2.9 million allocated for stakes races, nearly remains the same as 2005, the amount of major races has been modified from fifty to forty-two.
Gone this year are those four corporate races, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, owners of Hastings, had added to attract better horses.
"That's not to say it will not return. This also gives Hastings some options to remain within the twenty percent balance of purse pools set for stakes races." said Lorne Mitchell, racing secretary for Hastings.
Among major races removed from previous stakes schedules are the Fair Lady, Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint and the Langley Stakes.
The most noteworthy change to this newseasonisBCCupDay,aday restricted for B C bred horses. The much needed modifications to this Province's biggest day of racing, is the removal of total restrictions on the BC Cup Sprint ($50,000), the Distaff ($50,000) and the Classic race ($75,000), the three races which ran last year with fields of only five horses.
This new change allows horses not bred
in British Columbia to become eligible to race in those three major races as long as their owners are residents of B.C.
It's a change worthy of a look by the BC Standardbred Breeders Association who run an excess amount of restricted stake races at Fraser Downs in Cloverdale B.C.
Another interesting adjustment is the rescheduling of their crowning jewel for three year old fillies, the $150,000 BC Oaks.
In past years, the Oaks was scheduled such that it allowed plenty of time for a top filly to come back and compete against the boys in the $250,000 BC Derby, followed by the $100,000 Premiers Stakes. This season however, the Oaks runs Saturday Sept 23, the day before the Derby.
NOTES FOUND ON A PROGRAM:
Inquiring minds on the Hastings backstretch are wondering if popular jockey Nicola Wright will return from her home in England to compete here this season?... Good to see Hastings’ three time leading rider Pedro Alvarado getting ready for the season. Alvarado spent this past winter recovering from a major riding accident last fall at Hastings... After a three year absence from the race track, popular rider Rueben Solis is back exercising horses for Terry Jordan. "Working in a butcher shop for a few years made me realize how much I missed the racetrack." said Solis...Hastings horsemen are eagerly awaiting former leading jockey at Emerald Downs, Ricky Frazier to drop his tack in the jockey’s room full time.
Tommy Wolski
Backstretch Briefs
Hastings "Bugboy" Has Arrived
By Jackie Humber
Hastings Racecourse is the new address for Trinidad born apprentice rider Mark Stephen.
After hearing encouraging words about Hastings from his cousin; Journeyman rider Anthony Stephen, this 20 year-old, 98 pound apprentice, packed his tack and headed North to Canada.
"My cousin Anthony told me about the track and the beautiful city, so I wanted to come right away," said Stephen.
Mark began his riding career on the one-mile track of Santa Rosa Park in Trinidad. The smaller track of Hastings has
not proven to be a challenge to him as the training track in Trinidad is almost the same size. Since arriving he has received a warm welcome from the Trainers and horsemen.
"I've been on quite a few horses already and I feel quite comfortable,” said Mark who also mentioned that he plans to stay at Hastings for the entire year
and is eager for the season to begin.
His enthusiasm combined with his natural light weight is sure to please many
trainers.
Good Luck this season Mark. See you
in the winners circle.
Solis Returns to Hastings
After a two-year hiatus, Journeyman rider Reuben Solis has returned to Hastings for the 2006 season. He says he is happy to be back in the saddle and can't wait for the season to begin. He is pictured here on Ed Thompson's promising 3-year-old, Pewterville.
Jackie Humber Photo
• Keeneland September Sale entries close on May 1
• C.T.H.S Select nominations close March 1
• C.T.H.S Select and Open Sale final entries close May 31
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Photo Right
Trainer Cindy Barroby gets a youngster ready for the 2006 Hastings season
Photo Below "Schooling” at the
Dino Condilenios barn begins Tom Wolski Photos
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