August Brings the Heat
Leading sophomore August Rain edged out Diocles in a thriller of a Chris Loseth Stakes, while the same owner/trainer/jockey team also landed the Supernaturel Stakes with Avana
HIGHLIGHTS
Owner Peter Redekop, trainer Barbara Heads and rider Amadeo Perez had Stakes doubles on the day
Rider Kerron Khelawan continued his hot streak with two more winners
Learie Seecharan notched the 50th winner of his career
Three of the afternoon’s winners were bred in B.C.
B.C.-breds also won two races at Century Mile on Saturday
The handle was $481,767
Another lovely day in the neighbourhood and the hottest afternoon of the year, with the slightest of breezes to keep the horses comfortable. The track was fast and fair all afternoon
Race 1.
The first on the Saturday card went to Willow Creek Farm's C C SUNRISE ($5.70) who was given a perfect ride by Scott Williams, sitting comfortably behind a slow pace (23.70, 48.29) and, when the sprint for home began, she was ready and opened up to win stylishly in 1:18.36 for trainer Steve Henson. Bob Leffler, Bryan Killins and Gord McCormick’s ANOTHERSUNNYDAY was off a step slow under Amadeo Perez and put in a sustained three wide run from the backstretch to the wire but had to settle for the second spot for trainer Dino Condilenios. Darryl and Kristy Hammond, John Snow and Bill Dobie's TEXAS LEGACY sat just in behind the slow pace and ran on well to be a good third for trainer John Snow.
Race 2 — The $50,000 Supernaturel H’cap Stakes
The second race was the $50,000 Supernaturel Handicap for three year old fillies at a mile and a sixteenth. The race is named in honour of Roy and Dixie Jacobson’s great race mare, who was trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Don Morison, and winning was the heavy favourite, Peter Redekop's AVANA ($2.30), who was rationed early to trail under Amadeo Perez then began to creep up entering the backside and squeezed through a small opening on the final bend to draw clear in an easy win in 1:44.78 for trainer Barbara Heads. Russ and Lois Bennett's VIVA LA DIVA was away best and set a leisurely tempo (23.84, 48.43 and 1:13.96) under Antonio Reyes, staying-on gamely to be a clear second for trainer Barbara Heads. WYN Racing Stables DONNA WYN was taken back off the pace with Kimal Santo aboard and they closed-up well to be third for trainer Larry Grieve.
Race 3.
The third of the day was won by TC Racing’s TEX HANLEY ($10.10) who was driven to the front by Kerron Khelawan before slowing the pace down and galloping through easy fractions (25.32, 49.41 and 1:14.02). The pair had plenty left in reserve, drawing away to a big victory in 1:44.98 for conditioner Rob Gilker. Jordan Froelich's READY HERO had no pace to run at while saving ground at the back of the pack under Silvino Morales, then found room late to grab second spot for trainer Dino Condilenios. Gabriele Mathussek’s PADDY D'ORO was away best and opted to wrestle back behind the slow pace under Brian Boodramsingh but really had no shot with the pace scenario and was only able to rescue third money for trainer Carl Lausten.
Race 4.
The fourth on the program saw a great finish and, getting up in the final strides, was Nicole Droder's FAMILY BIZ ($4.40) under Kerron Khelawan, who just found the finish line first in 1:45.06 for trainer Craig MacPherson. Fred and Sheldon Kwan's PARKER POINT ran too good to lose, chasing a quick pace then relaxing behind the speed and shaking loose late with a game-stretch run to just miss under Brian Boodramsingh for veteran Hall of Fame conditioner, Harold Barroby. Willow Creek Farm and Fabio Chiesa’s FRANKIE MACHINE was far back off of the very quick tempo (23.53, 46.95 and 1:12.09) and rallied late to get the third spot under Scott Williams for trainer Steve Henson.
Race 5 — The $50,000 Chris Loseth H’cap Stakes
The fifth race was the $50,000 Chris Loseth Stakes for three-year-olds at a mile and a sixteenth. The race named for the Hall of Fame jockey who won over 3,500 races, most of which were right here at Hastings Racecourse, and taking the top prize was Peter Redekop's AUGUST RAIN ($3.10), who spent the entire trip held up in traffic on the inside and finally was able find racing room with Amadeo Perez at the controls to get through at the eighth-pole and just get up in the last stide to win by a nose in 1:44.18 for trainer Barbara Heads. Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ DIOCLES was wisely held back to last early under Kerron Khelawan and got first run with a big four wide move and just missed in a huge effort for trainer Pat Jarvis. Rob and Sheena Maybin's WESTMINSTER was off a step slow but was able to get into a nice spot behind the speed with Chris Mamdeen in the saddle. They moved sharply on the final turn to get the lead and were just caught late, ending up a very promising third for trainer Rob Maybin.
Race 6.
The sixth and final race was won by Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's BABY GRAND ($8.60) who took advantage of a pace-less race as Learie Seecharan sent him to the front through comfy splits of 23.21 and 47.63 before drawing clear late to win well in 1:17.26 for trainer Dave Milburn. Joe and Gloria Russo's COUNTRY COWBOY was also keen early and earned a good spot just off of the slow cadence under Kerron Khelawan and did well to hold the runner-up spot for conditioner, Patty Leaney. Willow Creek Farm's SELF SERVING was stuck in traffic behind the pedestrian fractions and found room late under Antonio Reyes to get the third spot for trainer Steve Henson.
Friday Night Claims
Race 3.
ATTAIN was claimed by owner Dreamtime Stable for trainer Greg BeneenRace 6.
LICORICE was claimed by owner Steward Spencer for trainer Keith Pedersen
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, July 7
Racing at Hastings resumes next Friday evening
with the first race due off at 7pm
Join the Hastings Posse at This Year’s Canadian Derby!
WYN Racing’s Chris Ceraldi has secured a private track-side cabana for this year’s Canadian Derby at Century Mile on August 24 and is opening the guest list!
Number are limited, so if you fancy an entertaining afternoon at the 95th running of the prestigious Canadian Derby, won last year by the Hastings’ team of Peter Redekop, Barabara Anderson-Heads and Amadeo Perez with ABELIEFINTHISLIVIN, and with WYN Racing’s ACCIDENTAL HERO a brave third, please reach out to Chris to reserve your spot.
Tickets are priced at $200 per person and the package includes:
A fabulous view open view of the track from you private area along the rail
Shaded seating
Private Bar
Hard flooring
VIP Buffet Dinner
Complimentary racing program
Free $5 Slot Play - After the races with your wristband!
Chris can be reached via email: chris@aarc-west.com
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