Page 4 - March 2008 The Game

4 The Game, March 2008 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper FFort Erie Backstretch Opens March 23
“The big project” includes a “substantial rebirth” of the grandstand and backstretch areas including a new grand- stand and barns. The development also includes a 250-300 room four star hotel, water park, amphitheater, retail shops, convention centre, and 2500 residential houses across the road where the old training track was situated.
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ort Erie’s backstretch will open for shipping in on funding the $3 million development project for the race- March 23 with training on the main track beginning track property, is very anxious to get the project moving.
the following day, weather permitting.
Amidst rumours that there will not be racing at Fort Erie
in 2008, racetrack operators are doing their best to get the word out to doubting horsepeople that indeed there is racing at Fort Erie in 2008.
Fort Erie Race Track has been approved by the ORC for an 80 day meet spanning from Kentucky Derby day, Saturday, May 3 through to October 25.
“Nordic wants this to be a destination resort, an anchor to the Southern Ontario and Niagara Regions,” says Herb about the project, “With the competition we face from casinos and other forms of entertainment all around us, a stand alone horse operation is not going to survive. The Racino model is broken here in Fort Erie with competition across the border. A destination resort like the one being proposed allows you to stay where you are and enjoy the destination.”
There will be live racing three days a week Sunday to Tuesday beginning May 11 with extra days added on July 19 and October 25.
Fort Erie’s Director of Racing, Herb McGirr Sr., says if you are wondering about this year’s racing program, just look at last year’s program in terms of purses and purse levels, “The racing program from claiming levels to purse levels will mirror 2007 with roughly $110,000 in purses a day. The only change is there will be four less days.”
Herb continues on to say that Nordic Gaming is dedicated to the property and although they have suffered substantial losses Nordic Gaming has elected to stay and invest their way out. “We’re lucky to have somebody here (Nordic Gaming) who has maintained their support of Fort Erie.”
Fort Erie Race Track’s premier race, the $500,000 Prince of Wales, the second leg in the Canadian Triple Crown series, is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, three weeks after the running of the Queen’s Plate on June 22.
Nordic Gaming and race track representatives will continue to meet with Fort Erie’s Mayor Doug Martin
and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development in efforts to gain the government’s commitment as a partner in supporting this development.
Fort Erie Race Track owners Nordic Gaming and
race track of cials continue their meetings with the Ontario Government to move forward with what is now being dubbed “the big project”. Nordic, who will be fully
A Ws c o t K n i g h t E u t h a n i z e d
3HMore Racing days at Hastings in ‘08!
ind elds Farm sadly announced that leading
astings Racecourse has undertaken many new
Canadian sire Ascot Knight was euthanized on February 8 due to declining health. The 24-year-old son of Danzig - Bambee T.T., by Better Bee, was buried at the farm’s equine cemetery alongside Northern Dancer, Vice Regent and other notable former Wind elds residents.
initiatives for the 2008 racing season... Stake purses have increased to $2.7 million, a $50,000 Hastings Speed handicap has been added to the stakes lineup and now racing fans can look forward to three more dates on the 2008 schedule at Hastings Racecourse.
Ascot Knight sired 32 stakes winners and earners of more than $28 million, including Pennyhill Park (G2) $694,569; Italian Derby (G1) winner Bahamian Knight; Canadian Oaks (G1C) winner Plenty of Sugar $781,765; Breeders’
“We’re pleased that we are expanding our schedule to bring the total racing dates to 71 for the coming season,” stated Raj Mutti, General Manager of Hastings.
S. (G1C) winner Pinafore Park $416,064 and additional graded SWs In uent (G1) 956,601, Hey Hazel (G2) $874,238, Ascot Yael (G2), Reclaim (G2), Cheery Knight (G2C), and Scotman (G3).
The additional racing days will be September 12, 19 and 26, all Fridays with starting times at 2:25 p.m. This addition extends the Friday afternoon campaign to a total of nine for the 2008 season.
His daughters have produced 23 stakes winners of more than $16 million US including 2007 SWs He’s No Pie Eater (G1); Divine Park (G3); Suva (L), Pretoria Light, and Molly’s Pride, and additional graded SWs Mula Gula (G2) $684,070, Greeley’s Galaxy (G2) $446,222, Trailthefox (G2) $388,217, A La Reine (G3) $266,400, and High Button Shoes (G3).
With the season set to open on Saturday, April 26, the barns along the backstretch at Hastings are lling up in preparation for the exciting new racing season.
RLichard Chretien Passes Away
ong-time Woodbine starting gate employee, Richard
Chretien passed away suddenly at home on February 7, 2008 at the age of 50. Visitation was held on February 11 followed by a funeral service at Neweduk Funeral Chapel in Mississauga on February 12. Expressions of sympathy donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Did You Know....
That the ownership of Newmarket England’s National Stud will soon transfer to the Jockey Club. The property, which is currently managed on behalf of the government by the Horse Racing Betting Levy Board, has not been pro table for the past six years.
The Jockey Club has guaranteed to continue offering stud management training for a minimum of ve years as part of the transfer deal.
The National Stud is home to stallions Bahamian Bounty, Cockney Rebel, Pastoral Pursuits, Phoenix Reach, Silver Patriarch, and Val Royal.
Correction
There was an error in the February issue of The Game which stated that Yvonne Schwabe owned the mare Irish Cherry at the time of the 2008 Keeneland January sale. Yvonne Schwabe and her mother had sold the mare pri- vately the year before and it was the subsequent owners who sold the mare in 2008.
The Game apologizes for the error.
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Seeking the Gold - Missed the Storm, by Storm Cat
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• Foaling Out • Conditioning • Boarding • Lay-Ups •
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