Back on the Clock
Some familiar names reappeared on the work roster at Hastings this week as trainers continue with conditioning ahead of a late April start to the season.
The crew with the stopwatches are back and it’s been great to see some big names return to work mornings at Hastings this past week — and none more so than the talented BAYAKOA’S IMAGE (Lent). The 2021 Washington Oaks heroine has been ‘off games’ since last July, but was seen stretching her legs at Hastings this week where she breezed a comfortable three furlongs in what was the fastest time of the morning over the distance.
There were plenty of workers again on Friday morning, with the three-furlong crowd headed by last season’s Ascot Graduation third, LOGICAL AL (Storm Victory) from the Craig MacPherson barn.
You can see the full list of Friday’s workers by clicking on the blue button.
New Names, New Status
Two of Hastings’ most important races for two-year-olds this season will receive a welcome boost in prize-money and status, as well as new names.
The Fantasy Stakes and Ascot Graduation Stakes, slated for October, have both been awarded Black Type status and, from this point forward, will be known as the Glen Todd Fantasy and the Glen Todd Ascot. Both races will now carry increased purse levels of $75,000 each.
The move to alter the names to recognize one of the greatest supporters of racing in BC were overwhelmingly supported by the HBPA and will act as a permanent and fitting tribute to the greatly-missed Glen Todd.
The new ‘Black Type’ status, meanwhile, should provide a welcome boost to local breeders looking to improve the catalogue page of prospective yearlings.
Three to Follow
This week’s Three-to-Follow comes courtesy of Mike Heads. As the resident paddock analyst, Mike is one of the most familiar voices of racing at Hastings, although that is only a small part of the work Mike puts in behind the scenes on behalf of our sport. Husband to leading trainer Barbara Heads, Mike also serves with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is an integral part of the annual CTHS Yearling and Mixed Sales, where he ensures everyone gets the latest information on all the horses being offered for sale. He also writes all the race reviews throughout the season. A shrewd and extremely knowledgeable handicapper, when Mike offers an opinion on a horse, it would be wise to lean in and listen.
ROCKCLIFFE, 2020, b g by Second in Command - I Believe in Angel (Cause to Believe)
Owner: Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds & James Redekop
Breeder: Bennett/Caravetta
Trainer: Edgar Mendoza
ROCKCLIFFE has MPH in his genes. The BC-bred is a full-brother to the dual Alberta CTHS Stakes winner ASYOUBELIEVE, a leading juvenile at Century Mile in 2021 and a four-time winner last season. Rockcliffe is a member of the all-conquering Edgar Mendoza barn and announced his arrival with a win at the very first attempt, breaking his maiden back in June with some ease — a far from simple task over the 3 ½-furlong course, especially when coming out of the number-one gate. Rockcliffe, whose dam is a sister to the former smart juveniles NEVERABETTERCAUSE and KERMODE, didn’t reappear after his eye-catching debut. However, given the progress most by his sire SECOND IN COMMAND make with racing, he will be one to keep an eye on in 2023.
LICORICE, 2020, dk b f by Finality - Quatre Cat (Abraaj)
Owner: Swift Thoroughbreds Inc.
Breeder: Gladys Dittloff, Karen Dittloff, Dave Gregory & Sylvea Gregory
Trainer: Dino Condilenios
Like Rockcliffe, LICORICE is a BC-bred graduate of the CTHS Yearling Sale who was lightly raced last season. A first foal out of the multiple Hastings Stakes winner QUATRE CAT, Licorice made her debut for trainer Dino Condilenios in July, finishing a promising third in her maiden before then tilting at the CTHS Sales Stakes in August; where she again ran with great credit to finish third. Back on the work tab this week after her winter break, Licorice looks to be a maiden-winner-in-waiting. And that may be just the start of things for her.
PINEAPPLE TIDBITS, 2018, ch m by Shackleford - View Halloo (Halory Hunter)
Owner: Donald Musgrove & Stewart Spencer
Breeder: Demetrick Racing
Trainer: Keith Pedersen
Mike, like many of us at Hastings, is a fully paid-up member of the PINEAPPLE TIDBITS fan club. The hard-knocking mare won five of her ten starts last year for two different trainers (after being claimed and re-claimed) and was out of the frame just once all season. Another BC-bred graduate of the CTHS Yearling Sale, Pineapple Tidbits is a half-sister to the former Champion three-year-old colt in BC, HUNTERS APPEAL. A battle-hardened campaigner who doesn’t know how to run a poor race, Pineapple Tidbits is a stalwart of the Keith Pederson barn and very much one to follow this year.
HBPA and Woodbine Reach Two-Season Agreement
Woodbine Entertainment and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) jointly announced today that they have reached an agreement for a new two-year deal that commits to $62M in purses for the 2023 and 2024 thoroughbred racing meets.
The deal also includes a 133-race day meet in 2023, and 129 race dates in 2024. Despite the fewer race days in 2024, Woodbine expects the number of races offered to be substantially the same as 2023 through more optimized race scheduling during the meet.
The upcoming 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, April 22. The 2024 season will open on Saturday, April 20.
Please note:
A Message from Bill McNeill, Director of Racing
Compliance Division - Racing Unit
Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
“Please remember that individuals are not permitted to participate, (i.e. work on the property at the racetrack, or race a horse they own at a BC racetrack), until their GPEB Licence and Registration has been approved. This applies to those who are applying for a GPEB Horse Racing Licence and Registration for the first time, and previously Licenced individuals whose Licence and Registration has expired.
I have attached a document that outlines the online Registration and Licencing process, as well as the Certificate Of Employment document that is required on an annual basis for all Grooms and Hotwalkers. The attached can be posted on your websites and/or printed and posted.”
Regards,
Bill
Please click the Blue Button for Licencing Details
Krasner Strikes at Turf Paradise
Congratulations and commiserations to local trainer Cindy Krasner who saddled STEAL HOME to win at Turf Paradise last weekend only to lose the five-year-old gelding at the claims box. It’s been tough sledding at ‘Turf’ this winter for local handlers but Krasner, Milton Palma, Patti Leaney and Jaymie Pearman have all had winners to keep the Hastings flag flying high!
Tapit Trice Leaves it Late
The Kentucky Derby prep races are coming thick and fast. Here’s a look back at the last weekend’s Tampa Bay Derby, which featured a remarkable effort by the late-surging favourite, TAPIT TRICE.
You can catch up with all the Kentucky Derby contenders via the TDN’s Derby Top 12. Just click the blue button.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Brits have been celebrating National Hunt racing this week with their annual Cheltenham Festival. The biggest race of the week was Friday’s Gold Cup, run over 22 fences at a distance of 3m 2 1/2f. It’s quite a sight to see the chasers in full cry and, as you can see from the video, they don’t hang around!