BC Racebook Newsletter - May 17, 2022

Good news for Standardbred fans! Fraser Downs has extended the season to June 27th, 2022. We have six extra live racing Mondays this year. Fraser Downs is located at Elements Casino Surrey.

Over 3,000 visited Hastings Racecourse on May 7, 2022.

Review of Hastings Re-opening by Greg Douglas

As the newest member of the BC Racebook team, I was thrilled to be part of the launch of the 2022 thoroughbred season on opening day at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, May 7.

It was like ‘old times’ after a two-year absence renewing acquaintances with so many familiar faces from all levels of the facility.

The crew in the winner’s circle, the tarmac and paddock patrons, Silks Restaurant and grandstand guests, track announcer Dan Jukich, the Racing Stewards, Lisa Russel from Equibase, the constant flow of Jack Short Media Room drop-ins …none of them seemed to miss a beat.

Right from the start with a fitting tribute to Glen Todd through live coverage of the Kentucky Derby and a heart-thumping live eight-race card, a huge and enthusiastic crowd made Hastings a ‘Happy Place’.

And this was just Day One of 45 race dates on the 2022 calendar.

With 80-1 longshot Rich Strike having shocked the racing world with his stunning Kentucky Derby victory, who knows what lies ahead for The Preakness on May 21 and the Belmont on June 11 … also to be shown live during Saturday afternoon race dates at Hastings.

Greg Douglas - Dr. Sport

Best Dressed Contest Winners at Hastings racecourse on re-opening day

Many people dressed up on the day at Hastings Racecourse. There was a couple who caught our eyes, Emma and Matthew. They matched perfectly in their navy blue and pink outfits, the little hat on her head represents traditional Kentucky Derby attire. The winners received a prize of $100 betting voucher. Congrats Emma & Matthew!

Bailey on the Backstretch : Go James Chau, Go!

Trading the ocean of Del Mar Race Track for the mountain backdrop of Hastings Racecourse, Mike Pounder will be one of the first to greet any new racing enthusiast with a smile and sound advice.

After many years as an exercise rider, Mike retired his helmet and took to grooming and hot walking at Hastings. This year a young apprentice rider, James Chau, tempted Pounder to try his hand as an official jockey’s agent.

“I could see his potential and was willing to take James on whether or not he received his 10-lb. weight allowance,” Pounder said.

Now that Mike has a jockey and is in the process of rounding up mounts, it has sparked his desire to help give other young jockeys the tools and knowledge they require to make the transition to North America.

We will continue to watch and monitor the growth of the Pounder-Chau team as this 2022 thoroughbred season continues.

Bailey Williams

RICH STRIKE TAKES A PASS ON THE PREAKNESS IN FAVOUR OF THE BELMONT JUNE 11
Deep Canadian Roots Shared by Russ & Lois Bennett

There was little room for argument when Rick Dawson, owner of 80-1 longshot Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, said: “What’s best for Ritchie is what’s best for our group. We always want to do what’s right by the horse.”

Dawson and trainer Eric Reed opted to bypass Saturday’ second leg of the Triple Crown – the Preakness – and will instead prepare Rich Strike for the Belmont on June 11 in New York. (Both the Preakness and Belmont stakes will be shown live on the giant screen at Hastings Racecourse).

“Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the Kentucky Derby,” Dawson said. “Obviously, with our Derby win, it was very, very tempting to run in the Preakness. However, after much discussion, we have decided to give Ritchie more recovery time and rest and run in the Belmont.”

It didn’t take long for the astute Nigel Reid of Horseracing BC to uncover the deep Canadian roots of Rich Strike. To quote Nigel’s newsy nuggets: “British Columbia played an important role in the breeding of Rich Strike. BC basked in some reflected Kentucky Derby glory by virtue of Rich Strike’s granddam Gold Strike’s Brassy Gold being bred by our leading owner/breeders R.J. and Lois Bennett.

“By the Bennetts’ own stallion Dixieland Brass, Brassy Gold was out of the six-time winner Panning for Gold, purchased by Russ Bennett carrying what would become Lady Hawkster, a winner and subsequently the dam of multiple winners herself.

“Without the Bennetts’ expertise and commitment, there would be no Brassy Gold and, by extension, no Canadian champion called Gold Strike. Without Canadian breeders, there would be no Rich Strike and no race that shocked the world.”

Shocked is putting it mildly. With Venezuelan-born jockey Sonny Leon in the saddle, Rich Strike was the second-longest shot to win the Kentucky Derby in the race’s 148-year history. Rich Strike paid $163.60 on a $2 ticket, the second biggest upset since 1913 when Donerall paid $184.90.

Greg Douglas - Dr. Sport

The Perfect Picture of a Perfect Trip: The Kat’s Back with Efrain Hernandez in the saddle for owner Denny Spence and trainer Cindy Krasner is this week’s pick as The Best of Michael Bye.

‘Family Ties’ a Fitting Title For the Spence-Krasner-Russell Trio

A typical weekend for Michael Bye, photographer-at-large at Hastings Racecourse, means roughly 600 images taken over a two-day card of thoroughbred racing.

Michael has been on the local racing scene for as long as track regulars can remember, not only with his ever-present camera equipment in hand but also as a horse owner and Director with The Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of BC. A new feature ‘The Best of Michael Bye’ debuts in this edition of our BC Racebook Newsletter and, as always, there is a story behind the story of Michael’s talent.

On the second day of racing this year at Hastings – Saturday, May 14 – Bye captured The Kat’s Back in an impressive victory over heavily-favoured Valerie Valeski. The story-behind-the-story could be billed as ‘Family Ties’. It further cemented a bond among owner/breeder Dennis Spence, trainer Cindy Krasner and exercise rider Corky Russell that spans almost three decades.

A rare outburst of delight came from high above track level when Equibase Chart Caller Lisa Russell let loose with an understandable cheer when The Kat’s Back crossed the finish line under jockey Efrain Hernandez. Corky Russell, also the custodian of the jock’s room and paddock judge, is Lisa’s husband. Her sister, Tracy McNeil, is Cindy Krasner’s assistant trainer and Lisa’s nephew Joshua, works as a groom for Cindy.

The Kat’s Back is the latest in a long string of runners the Spence-Krasner-Russell trio has celebrated in the winner’s circle over the years, including Wando Woman who was a $15,000 yearling purchase from the 2008 CTHS Sale that went on to win over $350,000 in earnings.