B C Derby Day!
Big crowd expected for 76th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 BC Derby on an afternoon that also features the $75,000 B.C Oaks and two $100,000 Futurity contests for the best two-year-olds at Hastings.
BC DERBY DAY ON TRACK TO DRAW A HUGE CROWD
By Greg Douglas - Dr Sport
Vancouver, BC – With a rare ‘Free Admission’ policy in today’s sports and entertainment circles, it is impossible for management at Hastings Racecourse to estimate attendance figures.
But with Saturday’s 76th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 BC Derby, Director of Operations Ryan McCartney is confidently forecasting one of the largest Hastings gatherings in recent local thoroughbred racing history.
“All of our guest patios, private boxes and event spaces are completely sold out,” McCartney says. “The BC Derby and BC Oaks have traditionally been premier events during the racing season and with fantastic weather forecasted, we’re expecting a huge, happy crowd.”
Even retired BC Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey Richard Hamel – a three-time BC Derby winner during his illustrious career – had to scramble to arrange a location for Saturday’s card. As part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jockey Club of Canada, Hamel is hosting a group of former Hastings’ riders and had to settle for sharing the Jack Short Media Lounge high above track level.
The six-horse BC Derby, race number eight on a bountiful nine-race card with a 5:40 p.m. PDT start, is being referred to by a panel of Hastings’ handicapping experts as “wide open with no clear favourite”. That theory surfaced when Canadian Derby winner Abeliefinthislivin, trained by Hastings’ leading trainer Barbara Heads and owned by Peter Redekop, pulled out due to a foot injury.
The Canadian Derby at Century Mile on August 26 was the second leg of this year’s new Western Canadian Triple Crown that wraps up with Saturday’s BC Derby. Winner of the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs August 7 was 15-1 long shot Mano Dura.
The Emerald Downs invader, Jamies Inheritance, a three-length winner over Air Force in the Century Mile Casino Oaks August 26, is the early favourite to win the 57th running of the $75,000 BC Oaks for three-year-old fillies, with Air Force considered a serious threat. Jamies Inheritance also won the Washington Oaks.
Saturday’s card also includes the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity and the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity. The $20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 will cover races 6 thru 9. Watch for special offers on HPIbet.com, Xpressbet, 1/ST Bet and Twinspires.com. Start time Saturday is 2 p.m. PDT / 5 p.m. EDT.
NINE OCLOCK CEASER and TAM TRICKY both take a class drop but will still bump into each other for the fourth time this season. There’s little between them, although marginal preference goes for ‘Ceaser’, who teams up again with leading rider Amadeo Perez for the first time since they were a narrow second in July. The consistent TOBESUNNY returns to 6½ furlongs after a good second to Filly Fatale over the ‘long’ course last time, while ISLAND LIVING, who had Tobesunny behind when second last time, has solid claims. That also goes for Woodbine-import, CARLA’S HONOR who has run well enough on both Hastings starts to suggest a win can’t be too far away.
FRANKIE MACHINE has won off a long lay-off before, but he’s been out of action for a year and, despite being good enough to land this, is entitled to need the race. He’s also a better proposition over the mile-and-sixteenth course. MAJESTIC STREET gave favourite backers few concerns when pushed out to hold off Road Closure’s late challenge last time and he looks the main danger here. RING OF KERRY has hit the board in five of his seven outings this term and should be involved again.
LIZZIE’S RAYNE made light work of her rivals last time, despite still showing some greenness, and it will take something special to lower her flag here. She’s already twice beaten DONNA WYN comfortably while SKYSABLAZING, the only other runner to have started this season, ran very well on her debut when overcoming a tardy getaway to close-in late for third behind runaway winner, Vector. She was ten lengths behind, though, and will need to improve. That connections consider VIVA LA DIVA capable of taking on a Futurity field in her racing debut should be guidance enough for bettors although, whatever she achieves today, it’s a safe wager that even better days lay ahead. That should also be true for fellow debutante, EDDIE’S GIRL.
BILLS SMOKN BULLET should have benefited from his first run of the season last month, when finally getting in and out of the gate to finish unplaced behind Vancouver’s Hunter and today’s rival, BODEGA. He’s a character but, on his best day, he’d have little trouble handling most of these. BODEGA was finishing fast last time and he can be expected late on the scene again, although it’s worth noting that he’s never won over the distance. TIMELESS SHRUG was also doing his best work late when just a neck behind Bodega in the same contest. TIZ MEOW, meanwhile, had traffic issues when full of running and, if the racing gods are more accommodating this time, he should also be a serious threat.
PURSUE couldn’t handle the likes of Sunbird and Legacy Square in his first attempt at the distance last month and this looks a less onerous task. He had BRIAN’S DE LEIGHT more than five lengths behind earlier in the year, followed up with an equally comfortable win over Tiz Vicious and looks a worthy favourite. NEIGHBOR is an interesting runner. He was claimed after winning a Churchill Downs maiden contest in April and, following a disappointing effort on the same track in May, appeared next in a Stakes race at Century Mile in August – where he was no factor. He’s been working well and anything close to his best effort would put him in the frame. COUNTERACT had LOVEABOVEANDBEYOND just behind when they met in July. They’re both consistent performers and need to go on the short list.
Most of these juveniles have had to settle for a rear-end view of AUGUST RAIN in his two wins this season, although the dual Stakes winner is unlikely to have things all his own way here. HORATIO and DIOCLES were both close-up behind August Rain when they met in the BC Cup Nursery Stakes at the beginning of August and are still improving sorts. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see either of them reverse the form. VECTOR’s sole outing, meanwhile, saw him lead throughout and win by almost nine lengths in one of the season’s most impressive two-year-old performances. A repeat of that will make him a serious threat.
The big race of the year for sophomore fillies and a stellar line-up should make for an enthralling 57th renewal of the British Columbia Oaks.
Sole shipper JAMIES INHERITANCE had AIR FORCE several lengths behind when winning last month’s Century Casino Oaks in Alberta and she will be a warm order to land the third ‘Oaks’ contest of the year after also annexing the Washington Oaks in some style earlier in the year. The Hastings’ bullring will present the smart filly with a very different challenge, however, and her lack of track experience will help level the playing field with her rivals. Air Force, for instance, was favourite for the Century Casino Oaks and ran a blinder. Close to the pace throughout, she only weakened late down the long Century stretch. She should be even more of a threat back on familiar ground. Air Force’s barn-mate ARUNDEL CASTLE finally put it all together last time, winning the CTHS Sales Stakes by a neck from a fast-finishing MATSQUI. Both have solid claims and both may also appreciate the extra half-furlong. ABOVE AVERAGE drew away from Arundel Castle and Matsqui when winning in July but then finished behind them and KEY TO SUCCESS in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes. Prior to that, however, she was a neck behind Air Force in the 6½-furlong River Rock Casino and is clearly talented. FORCE TO REKN WITH put five lengths on subsequent easy winner Pursue when they met in a maiden earlier in the season. She then went on to land the valuable Sonoma Handicap over a mile at Century Mile in July before disappointing in the Century Casino Oaks. Ignore that latest effort and she’s another with board-hitting claims.
Mike Heads casts an expert eye across the runners for the big race:
The 76th renewal of the B.C. Derby boils down to a battle between three local hopefuls and three Alberta shippers that have been lured west of the Rockies for an impressive $125,000 purse.
My picks for the Derby in order are:
Roger Snow, Don Danard and Conrad Rozenek's SPACE was purchased from Claiborne Farms in a July Fasig Tipton Horses of Racing age sale for $52,000. His final start prior to the sale was a distant third in a maiden race in Indiana. The new connections shipped him west immediately and he was tucked away in the Mel Snow barn in mid-July with high aspirations. He crushed a field of maidens effortlessly in 1:16. 3/5, signaling that he was worth every penny and the Derby dreams were kept alive. With the $200,000 Canadian Derby set as a potential target, he needed stakes earnings to get into the race and was given a stern test, running back in just ten days after the maiden score in the BC Cup Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial. And, after a wide journey early in a big bulky field, he responded gamely with a good run to be fourth, beaten just four lengths against the best locals in his first Stakes try. As impressive as the race was, it was not enough to get him into the overfilled Canadian Derby, so Plan B went in effect and he was rested up and is coming into the BC Derby off of a series of strong drills. I believe he has a ton of upside and his Derby Trial run against far more seasoned runners and showed me that, with a small step forward, he will be a very tough opponent on Saturday at what should be a fair price. Regular rider Brian Boodramsingh gets the call.
The horse with the best resume is Pauline Felicella and her late husband Nick Felicella's SUNBIRD, who is undefeated at Hastings and just recently was beaten for the first time in his young career in the $200,000 Canadian Derby. The Terry Jordan pupil was bought out of the Glen Todd dispersal sale at Pegasus for a mere $17,000, which obviously has proved to be a bargain for his longtime B.C. owners. His Century Mile allowance victory was a hard fought one but was far from the dynamic SUNBIRD we have been used to seeing, while his Canadian Derby run was also unusual as he was not asked for speed and was bottled up on the inside in an uncomfortable position for the entire race. He ended up a no-threat fifth. Those two races told me he was not a big fan of the Edmonton oval but the good news is he's running at his home track where has been nothing short of brilliant. He is the 6-5 morning line favourite and will likely be the controlling speed so he is strictly the one to beat with new pilot Antonio Reyes at the helm.
WYN Racing Stables ACCIDENTAL HERO has been a clever claim for the connections after being haltered for $40,000 out of a non-two lifetime race at Oaklawn Park back in early May. He was vanned to Hastings shortly after the claim and has been Stakes-placed in all three of his tries going long, including an impressive third in the rich $200,000 Canadian Derby under Kimal Santo in the irons. While his ability is not in question, my main concern is the lack of speed in the race, so the flow of the race may play against him. However, if the pace quickens at any point early then he will be a force in the late going. He is a legitimate contender.
Kirk Sutherland’s maiden RIVERSIDE looks to be the best of the Alberta contingent and owns the best Beyer rating (85) of any runner in the lineup, although the California numbers are rated far higher than our local Beyers. He was claimed for $62,500 out of third-place run in a restricted maiden claimer at Santa Anita in early June. His Century Mile debut was in the $50,000 Count Lathum stakes on July 22nd and, despite his outside nine post and being a maiden, he was well-backed, going off as the favourite. Sadly, he suffered from his poor draw and could only manage a fourth-place finish, beaten less than three lengths which originally eliminated him from Canadian Derby consideration with lack of stakes earnings. He has since been transferred to the Gonzalo Anderson barn and just arrived Thursday morning to prepare for Saturday’s race. Local rider Silvino Morales will be aboard.
Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Stock Farm’s KYSTONE has done well since stretching out to the longer distances and most recently was a close third in an optional $17,500, or non-three lifetime, Allowance race at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on Canadian Derby weekend. He was nominated to the Canadian Derby but was another who did not have enough earnings to crack the starting lineup, forcing him to run in the Allowance event. The Rick Hedge trainee has been moved to the Steve Henson barn for the race and leading rider Amadeo Perez picks up the mount.
Highfield Investment Group’s IT'S A FACT comes into the Derby off of an Allowance win going six furlongs for Alberta-based trainer, Carson Frey. He has been a big longshot in his two Stakes tries this year, although he does own a stake win going a mile as a two-year-old last season. He has some speed, so look for him to be part of the early pace. Apprentice rider Fraser Aebly will be in charge of controlling that speed to try and give him his best shot.
A typically fiendish finale to the afternoon, with any of these perfectly capable of winning this wide-open claimer. BARNEY GOOGLE returns to the 6½-furlong course for the first time since winning over it back in June – that was also against better opposition than he faces today. QUAGMIRE has been first or second in four of his six outings this term and looks nailed on to hit the board again. This represents another small drop in class for VALUABLE COWBOY who has been consistent since winning at a higher level back in May.
Derby Day Picks
The Jockey Club of Canada 50th Anniversary Race Presentation at Hastings
The inaugural Western Canadian Triple Crown comes to a conclusion this Saturday with the 76th edition of British Columbia Derby (Grade 3) at Hastings Racecourse.
Initially contested at the now defunct Lansdowne Park Racetrack in Richmond, the historic race moved to its current home, formerly known as Exhibition Park Race Track, after the Lansdowne Park land was purchased by the city in 1958. Outstanding Canadian-breds which have captured the BC Derby include George Royal, Imperial Choice, and Regal Intention.
While the 1973 running of the British Columbia Derby was won by the Washington-bred Koko’s Pal for trainer William McMeans, Canadians have certainly had their fair share of successes in the race. Distinguished Derby winners campaigned by Jockey Club of Canada members include 1982 winner Travelling Victor, who was bred and owned by R. J. Bennett, one of our longest-standing members and the first Canadian Horse of the Year to hail from outside of Ontario. Just two years later, the venerable Let’s Go Blue captured the race for the Lawson family’s Jim Dandy Stable.
An integral founding member of The Jockey Club of Canada came from modest beginnings as a miner’s son in British Columbia – Frank McMahon. Mr. McMahon’s industrial success was recognized by Time Magazine, and his contributions to Thoroughbred racing in Canada and beyond earned him a place in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Standouts from McMahon’s stable include Meadow Court, Majestic Prince, and Crown Prince. Our current membership roster includes a number of British Columbians similarly dedicated to the breed in R. J. Bennett, Horatio Kemeny, Wally Leong, Mark Mache, and David Milburn.
The Jockey Club of Canada is proud to participate in the festivities of the 76th running of the British Columbia Derby at Hastings Racecourse with our presentation of a commemorative cooler to the winner of the Jockey Club of Canada 50th Anniversary Cup race.
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain a high standard for Thoroughbred
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