A Day of Firsts
Last season's leading rider Amadeo Perez booted home a four-timer on an opening day that also saw important first wins for jockey Brian Boodramsingh and trainer Nicole Rycroft
HIGHLIGHTS
Nicole Rycroft saddles her first career winner as trainer
Amadeo Perez booted home four winners.
Brian Boodramsingh enjoyed his first visit to the winners circle.
Trainer Dino Condilenios had a training double.
The Pick 4 paid an impressive $5,176.55 for a $1 wager.
The Pick 5 came in at $5,066.52 for a $0.20 cent bet.
The handle was $471,163
Nicole Rycroft got off to the best possible start as a new trainer, saddling her first ever runner (BIG UNION) to take the nightcap — photo Patti Tubbs
A grey and chilly day at Hastings, but even the occasional shower filed to damped opening day spirits, as plenty of people turned up to welcome the racehorses back to East Vancouver for the 2023 racing season.
Race 1.
The season opener went to the WYN Racing Stables FILLY FATALE ($5.20), who was away in good order under Amadeo Perez. The filly set sensible fractions of 23.73 and 47.90 for the opening half-mile and turned back a brief challenge from TEXAS LEGACY on the final turn to draw clear late to win in hand in 1:13.86 for veteran trainer Larry Grieve. Darryl Hammond, Kristy Hammond, John Snow and Bill Dobie's TEXAS LEGACY was hung a bit wide early under Kimal Santo but put in a sharp burst on the stretch turn to get head and head with the leader but couldn’t stay with the winner and did well to save the runner-up spot. The Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds MILO'S COMMAND was put in a good position early sitting second early just off of he early tempo under Kerron Khelawan and just missed the second spot ending up third.
Race 2.
The second of the day was won by the Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds
MISS THE HYPE ($3.50), who broke alertly under Amadeo Perez and was afforded some very easy splits on the lead of 24.63 and 48.63. She then sprinted away from her rivals to win well clear in 1:13.77 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Don Danard and Mel Snow's DRILL BABY DRILL raced three wide throughout and battled the winner gamely before tiring late under Hastings newbie Brian Boodramsing, but held well for second. Willow Creek Farm's BEST ONE YET settled in behind the speed and finished with good energy under Fraser Aebly for a fast closing third.
Race 3.
The third of the afternoon went to the Hawaiian Shirt Guys’ FOOT SOLDIER ($8.70), who was cleverly ridden by Silvino Morales, settling in behind a speed duel before being produced three wide on the final bend to run by the leaders in midstretch for trainer Dino Condilenios. Jordan Froelich and Dino Condilenios’ I'M A CHI TOO was keen early under apprentice Fraser Aebly and set contested fractions of 23.40 and 46.52. The duo looked to be in deep water on the stretch turn but battled back gamely on the rail to get second. The Star Lot Stables DON W pressured a hot pace and led the field into the stretch with Kerron Khelawan up and tired late to be third.
Race 4.
The fourth race went to the Willow Creek Farms’ IRISH LUNA ($14.20), who was surprisingly put on the lead by apprentice Fraser Aebly, setting slow splits of 23.74 and 47.65. The 5yo mare was stubborn in the lane and refused to let anyone get by her, winning in 1:12.87 for conditioner Steve Henson. Bob Leffler, Bryan Killins and Gord McCormick’s ANOTHERSUNNYDAY was an unlucky loser as she had to race three wide throughout and was finishing best nearing the wire. Side Pot Stables’ ARIKARA was fractious in the gate and didn’t show her customary blazing speed, settling on the outside through a comfortable pace and ended up third.
Race 5.
The fifth on the card was won impressively by Jordan Froelich's MR. QUALITY ($7.30), who was forced out three wide the entire trip but continued to battle on to grind out a game win in 1:12.07 - giving trainer Dino Condilenios his second win on the day and rider Amadeo Perez his third. Stewart Spencer's KNOPFLER was part of a contentious pace, sparring through fractions of 23.43 and 46.93, staying on bravely before being caught in deep stretch. The High Stakes Thoroughbreds’ and John Snow's JUVEE TOO was allowed to settle five or six lengths off of the quick pace and put in a solid four-wide run to be a close third.
Race 6.
The sixth on the day was won by Mel and Fran Snow's EDDIE WHO ($17.00), who given a textbook ride by Hastings’ newcomer Brian Boodramsingh. The pair sat just off of the early pace and, having dead aim on the leader, ran down the speed in the lane to win in 1:11.75 for trainer Mel Snow. The Hastings Racing Club's PRINCE CAIRO was void of early speed and rallied strongly through the stretch to get third and was placed second. The JDP Holdings EARS TO US was checked early losing position and was moved up to third after the disqualification of STORMY BLUE, who was originally second but place fourth for interference heading into the first turn.
Race 7.
The last one on opening day was won easily by Dennis Dale, Kelly and Cathy Rycroft's BIG UNION ($5.50), who raced on a contested quick pace (23.04, 46.00) and then proceeded to draw away late to win in a romp in 1:11.14 - the fastest of the day and a first winner for trainer Nicole Rycroft. The Nite and Day Stable’s and Joanne Todd's HE'S RELENTLESS put in a big late run to put a bit of a scare to the winner and did well to be a clear runner-up. George Gilbert's SMART LAD was keen early and rider Silvino Morales opted to settled in behind the speed, which proved to be a good move as he rallied well to be third.
Live racing resumes next Saturday at Hastings Racecourse at 2:00 pm with a seven race program and the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby will head the simulcast action.
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