BC Racebook Newsletter - December 13, 2022
Carson and Alexa with Sexy AF in Cloverdale Christmas Parade on December 4.
Bailey On The Backstretch
By Bailey Williams
Resilient, adaptable and laid-back are generally words used to describe the fascinating athletes racing at Cloverdale’s very own Fraser Downs at Elements Casino.
With the early arrival of winter weather, the resilient side of the breed as well as the people involved have had to kick into overdrive during these final stages of harness racing’s annual winter break.
Only two races were completed on Sunday, December 4 before cancellation of the remainder of the card due to unsafe track conditions for both horse and driver. But it wasn’t a totally uneventful day for driver John Vukelich and trainer Paul Tolmazoff who had to settle for a fifth-place finish with Sexy AF.
Later that evening locals would get a chance to see Sexy AF in the Cloverdale Christmas Parade, this time all decked out in festive attire driven by the combo of Carson Abbott and Alexa Bidell.
The demeanor of a standardbred is so remarkable to see first-hand. With cars honking, bands marching and Christmas lights flashing, Sexy AF was right at home amid all of the commotion.
As the holidays quickly approach and live racing at Fraser Downs not resuming until February 2, 2023 at 7 p.m., stay tuned to BC Racebook for updates.
BC Horseracing 3 Year Plan meeting at Fraser Downs on November 23, 2022.
Racing Industry Is “Moving in the Right Direction”
-HBPA BC President David Milburn
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
It’s true when they say “timing is everything”.
On the same day management from the various sectors of the BC racing industry were gathered to discuss the future of horse racing the province, notification arrived from the BC Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch that read, in part: “Please accept this letter approving and assigning the following dates for 2023”.
It was dated November 23, 2022 and signed by GPEB Director of Racing, Bill McNeill.
“There’s no question the letter was inspiring for all of us,” said David Milburn, President of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of BC. “We’ve been through some difficult times but we’re coming back with renewed enthusiasm from everyone involved. We’re moving in the right direction”.
Sponsored by TBC Teletheatre, the group session included key members of the HBPABC, BCTOBA, CTHS-BC, BC Racebook, Harness Racing BC as well as management from both Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs at Elements Casino. It was billed as a ‘Vision for the Future - 3Year Plan’.
McNeill’s letter confirmed 45 race dates at Hastings Racecourse for 2023, including the return of popular Friday Night racing on four occasions as well as two Monday night dates during the annual PNE Fair.
The Friday night dates with 7 p.m. start times are scheduled for July 28, August 4, 11 and 18. The two Monday night cards, also 7 p.m. starts, are set for August 21 and August 28 when the PNE Fair is dark.
“Evening racing draws a different kind of crowd,” said Milburn, long-time horse owner and trainer. “It attracts a new brand of people curious to see what we have to offer.”
Milburn noted several new outside promotional events developed by BC Racebook with Hastings management last season will return in 2023. He singled out the ‘Horse Power 4 Horses’ display of Supercars on the Hastings tarmac in September supporting the Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association.
“It created all kinds of new-found energy,” Milburn offered.
Opening day in 2023 at Hastings will be Sunday, April 30 with the meet running through Sunday, October 15. Nichelle Milner, Regional Manager of Racing Operations at Hastings, confirmed the set-up date at Hastings will be Friday, January 20 with move-in day Sunday, January 22. Training starts on Tuesday, January 24.
Standardbred Racing at Fraser Downs Resumes February 2, 2023
Standardbred racing at Fraser Downs Racetrack at Elements Casino resumes for the “first-half” of the 2023 season on Thursday, February 2. The Thursday/Friday night format continues through May 5.
During the current break in live standardbred racing, Fraser Downs will continue its BC Racebook simulcast coverage seven days a week.
Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing Schedule
in 2023
2023 Standardbred Racing Schedule at Fraser Downs in Surrey
2023 Thoroughbred Racing Schedule at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver
Beautiful Memphis is looking for a new home!
Memphis is a young, tall beauty. She’s still growing/ filling out and is already around 16hh.
She loves her human friends, loves to be fussed over and given attention. In true baby fashion Memphis can test boundary’s to see what she can get away with. She’s not mean, just playful and full of spirit!
Memphis came to us with some lameness issues that have seemed to resolve with a few months of turn out. She has some arthritis in her hock.
Memphis would be most suitable for someone with experience working with a young/ green horse. She would be suitable for light riding once she’s finished her growth spurt (about another year).
See more horses available for adoption here
Greener Pastures – BC Standardbred Horse Adoption Society is a non-profit organization founded in 2003. Here at Greener Pastures our goal is to find long term forever homes for retired race horses. We wish to accomplish this by giving these horses a solid foundation in their new careers and placing them into homes that are suitable for them as they begin their new life with their new families.
The Standardbred is an ideal recreational horse with a calm disposition,sensible mind and a friendly outlook! These are the attributes that have enabled Greener Pastures to adopt out over 50 horses per year. These numbers alone are testament to the suitability of the Standardbred as a riding horse.
