BC Racebook Newsletter - October 4, 2022
Standardbred Racing at Fraser Downs Surrey
FRASER DOWNS: A LONG HISTORY OF STANDARDBRED RACING
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
There are not many entertainment destinations these days that invite patrons to an event that includes free admission and complimentary parking.
An exception is Fraser Downs Racetrack at Elements Casino where some of the premier standardbred horses in Western Canada compete Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings during the months of October, November and early December.
The cornerstone of harness racing on Canada’s west coast was officially unveiled on January 1, 1976, then known as Cloverdale Raceway. It was the realization of a dream come true for owners Jim Keeling Sr, Keith Waples and Doug Gillespie who started construction of the complex in Surrey two years earlier.
Mr. Keeling pioneered the venture and was inducted into the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2001 and the BC Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.
Opening day will always be noted in the archives of British Columbia sports history when Guy Dominion won the first-ever race staged at Cloverdale for owner Jim Richards and driver Ray Gemmill.
The celebration included nine players from the 1976 NHL Vancouver Canucks as part of the cheering section. Each of them had invested $300 as part owners in a group that included goaltender Gary Smith, team captain Andre Boudrias, Don Lever, John Gould, Ron Sedlbauer, Gerry O’Flaherty, Dennis Ververgaert, Chris Oddleifson and Gregg Boddy.
“Fraser Downs has always been a fun place to visit.” says Hall of Fame track announcer Dan Jukich. “It’s great for group outings and special event gatherings.”
On that note, the new HPI Lounge at the Winner’s Circle provides fans with complimentary access to watch the races in the comfort of designer outdoor furniture with patio heaters for the upcoming winter season.
With the 2022 thoroughbred meet at Hastings Racecourse drawing to a close on Saturday, October 22, the Fraser Downs schedule kicks in with Sunday matinees (1 p.m.) and Monday evenings (7 p.m.) throughout the balance of October and continuing through November as well as the first two weeks of December. The 2023 race calendar will be announced shortly.
Good times at Hastings Racecourse..
Tim Brown was a talented horseman who grew up in the harness racing industry, working for his father George at Windsor Raceway from the time he was 16 years old. Brown made the move to BC in the late 1970s, competing successfully at tracks across Canada, but calling Fraser Downs home for many years. Tim won 2,200 races as a driver and nearly 500 races as a trainer throughout his career.
September 10th, 2022 - BC Derby winner REGAL RIOT. photo Michael Bye.
Bailey on the Backstretch
By Bailey Williams
As the autumn leaves change colour and another thoroughbred racing season draws to an end, the atmosphere throughout the Hastings backstretch undergoes an adjustment as well.
The barns slowly become more vacant and the workers show signs of fatigue, but somehow the racing excitement continues to the final extended race day on Saturday, October 22.
With the completion of two historic 2-year-old Stakes races this past weekend – the Sadie Diamond Futurity for fillies and Jack Diamond Futurity for colts and geldings – there are just four Stakes left on the schedule. Next up this coming Saturday (Oct. 8) will be the BC Premiers for 3-year-old colts and geldings and the Ballerina for the girls’ chance to ‘wow’ the industry
The BC Premiers gives racing fans another chance to watch BC Derby winner Regal Riot and arch rival Arollercoasterride to pair off again, along with proven runners Stay Fantastic and Uncharacteristic as well as five other nominees for a potential nine-horse field.
Judging by the nominees for The Ballerina, it reads excitement from start to finish. We’re all aware of superstar mare Infinite Patience. She will be looking for her fifth consecutive Stakes victory of the 2022 season and an astonishing 10-race winning streak carrying over from 2021. Trainer Barbara Heads also has Solartiy nominated. The lone 3-year-old filly, Kloepatra, will run for new owners WYN Stable.
Arguably, the most anticipated Stakes of the 2022 meet will be The Ascot and The Fantasy on closing day, Oct. 22. To have 2-year-olds make it to the races is such an accomplishment for all the connections from breeders and grooms and upward. At 1 & 1/6 miles it is the longest and only chance the ‘babies’ get to run a route distance against competitive contenders.
Races such as these provide everyone with that extra little push to hold their heads high as the days of fall get longer.
