Page 6 - March 2008 The Game
P. 6

6 TIhe Game, March 2008
t’s no secret that horseracing missed the boat with television
people, the atmosphere, all add up to a satisfying experience; but then the way Todd does things you expect nothing less.
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper ORC - Continued from Page 5
Their mandate is the safety of the horse, and the thinking is that using a veterinarian familiar with the rules of racing will ensure that.
“I don’t think there has been accountability in the treatment of
the horse, but I don’t know whether this will improve it. I also have a concern that this (ruling) might cause an increase in laypeople giving their own medications. It might almost have a black market effect.”
ORC veterinarian John Hayes, DVM, is skeptical about the imple- mentation of horse health passports. “I understand why (it has been proposed) but I’m not sure it’s going to work easily or well,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff a trainer might treat a horse with that’s not recorded now, and I suspect that it won’t be recorded after passports are implemented either, because it might violate two or three rules. So basically nothing will change.”
“Passports are not a novel idea,” noted Seiling. “They work well in Europe and Down Under, and they’re long overdue here. Horses can change hands regularly in this industry, and we don’t want new owners unaware of medications which may have been administered before.”
Regarding passports, ORC Executive Director and CEO John Blakney commented that the intent
is to “curb over-medication of horses due to lack of information”. The exact form the passport will take is still under discussion and could conceivably include an electronic form accessed through a microchip implanted in the horse. For now, owners are simply required to release any and all veterinary informa- tion upon any transfer of ownership.
One initiative most horsemen
seem to feel positively about is
the clari cation on who has the right to perform out-of-competition testing and searches of premises. Said ORC Deputy Director, Rob McKinney, “We’re not preventing racetracks from having the authority (to do search and seizure) on their own property. But as of January 31, 2008, racetracks cannot make it a condition of entry for a li- censee to consent to off-track searches and testing.”
The majority of the new ORC measures, however, are likely to continue to spark controversy as horse- men and industry insiders consider the implications of each. One can only hope the ORC continues to be open
to dialogue and revision as everyone feels their way to the best means of implementing these changes.
A Look at Racing in British Columbia By Jim Reynolds
as a promotional venue and is now playing catch-up. Just look at the fan base. It has been in steady decline for years. Most people who are interested have never been to, or ever will attend, a horserace at a racetrack. Their racing experience has been viewed through television and computer screens—far detached from the farm based sport of the past. Back in the day we had small fair meets in every town that helped develop that base for horseracing. Heck! We have to look hard these days to  nd a county fair. That’s a thing of another generation.
Start with the fact that it is a good restaurant. The chef, Brad Crocker, knows his food. And although he’s worked with some of the  nest chefs on the Vancouver restaurant scene he has never, in his words, worked a day in his life.
pictures, and artwork, mainly of Glen Todd’s horses—as British Columbia’s leading racehorse owner, in partnership with his friend Patrick Kinsella, he has about sixty.
But we do have TV screens and computer monitors...everywhere. Modern racetracks see that and are building on it and it’s where off-track betting parlours like the Derby Bar and Grill (and hopefully more places like it) come in. They will introduce our sport to a new clientele. A different, younger demographic who want their entertainment served with convenience and amenities; like a good food and wine list and comfortable seating in a sociably acceptable atmosphere. They may be willing to learn enough about the sport to place a wager but they want the experience to be easy and effortless.
His food shows the attitude. A well rounded menu, which, he says will change seasonally, offers great appe- tizers, salads, lighter fare, and entrées like roast chicken, steak and pasta.
The Derby Bar and Grill, Glen Todd’s new hangout for horseplay- ers offers that. In fact the food, the
Again, it  ts the pattern. Todd obviously likes the good things in
life; like good food, fast horses, and a comfortable place to enjoy them. So he built an off-track betting parlour-cum- restaurant-piano bar (two baby grands provide the entertainment Friday and Saturday nights) where those inclined towards the sporting life can relax
and enjoy a turf club atmosphere. The walls are covered with photos, win
Todd’s place is, in many ways, on the leading edge of our redevelopment as a sport.
Backstretch Promotions at Woodbine
“When you do what you love it isn’t work,” he says. “That’s my secret ingredient, love.”
The betting couldn’t be easier; with television screens in every line of vision telecasting races from around the globe, there are automated tote machines, a mutuel window with real live people, and Tiny Tim computer pads for HPI members at every table— in short a handicapper’s heaven. And although it is unpretentious an effort has been made to achieve the comfort and quality of a good restaurant.
The staff is friendly and eager, the contemporary-retro decor comfortable and, as appropriate for a horseplayers hangout, the bar even serves Saratoga Springs mineral water—the real thing, imported from the spa in upstate New York.
But the Derby Bar and Grill isn’t just about the food or the ambience. It’s about the future. The off-track betting future. We need places like this in our industry, places where people can relax and enjoy the sport. Gone are the days of the dingy back room betting parlour. Technology is  nally transforming our game and the future depends on bring- ing it into the 21st century and into the mainstream of entertainment venues.
Did You Know...
The K.K. Sangara owned, 2007 BC Derby winner, Celtic Dreamin is preparing to run in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 1 at Santa Anita Park. The now 4-year-old gelding was claimed for $40,000 last season in his career debut and has not  nished worse than second in nine career starts which includes  ve wins.
That jockey Frankie Dettori is the co-author of a new cookbook, Frankie Dettori’s Italian Family Cookbook. The book was also written by chef Marco Pierre White, who is also a co-owner with Frankie on a chain of family restaurants called Frankie’s.
Did You Know....
Woodbine’s Director of Racing, Steve Koch was promoted to Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing this past winter. He has vacated the backstretch race of ce to move to his permanent of ce on the grandstand side for 2008.
in his role as Manager of Stabling. Together with Of ce Clerk Tamara Dadswell, they make up the Stable Of-  ce at Woodbine which is located at the East Gate entrance to the backstretch.
Thoroughbred Racing Secretary Steve Lym, has added Director of Racing to his title and is now also a member of the national Breeders’ Cup Committee.
Karl, a former Assistant Trainer for Mac Benson, began working in the stall of ce in 2004 and will retain the majority of his previous duties while taking on added responsibilities in his new role.
Steve Koch promoted Karl Lagerborg from Stable Superintendent to Manager of Stable Area Operations. Marty Velden remains “the stall man”
Along with his Stall Of ce duties Karl will now oversee the dormitories as well as the general upkeep of the backstretch.
“I will be the liaison for horsepeople with barn maintenance issues as well as providing general customer service for the people on the backstretch and visi- tors to the racetrack.” says Karl men- tioning that he is also part of a team who looks after the needs of ship-ins.
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The Game March 2008 32 pages.indd
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