Canada Day Weekend Entries
Four top-notch $50,000 Stakes contests form the backbone of a cracking holiday-weekend of racing at Hastings
Sunday’s Overnights
FLYOVER CANADA JOINS CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS
WITH INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAYS AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this past week, FlyOver Canada with its sky-high adventure ride is referred to as ‘The Gift of Flight’. And when you think about it, the gift of flight can also be applied to the thoroughbreds at Hastings Racecourse as they propel into dauntless journeys of their own with each and every race.
Fans will get a taste of both on Saturday, July 1 when FlyOver Canada joins the Canada Day Celebrations at Hastings Racecourse featuring two $50,000 Stakes on a stellar seven-race card including a Guaranteed $20,000 Pick 4.
Talk about a party: FlyOver Canada’s flight for two over our country’s most spectacular scenery; BC Racebook’s draw for a group of four-to-six to enjoy a day at the races seated in the new VIP Box, including a $100 voucher; the return of the popular Best Dressed Canada Day competition and the Anderson family’s 2023 Groom Appreciation Day hosted by trainer Barbara Anderson-Heads.
The draws will require fans filling out a ballot at the BC Racebook Tent on the tarmac with the lucky winners being announced following Race 6.
CLOCKER’S CORNER
A solid gathering of early-rising racing fans and hopefully potential investors enjoyed the return of Clocker’s Corner Saturday at Hastings Racecourse. With the combined efforts of trainers, riders and backstretch crews, the on-track morning workouts were the centre of attention with track announcer Dan Jukich and head clocker Lisa Russell keeping onlookers informed of the ongoing activity.
It was a combined effort by Hastings Racecourse, BC Racebook, Hastings Racing Club and the HBPA-BC. Organizer Denise Praill is already in the throes of staging a repeat performance next month.
Ryan McCartney, Director of Operations at Hastings, was mingling in the grandstand area during Clocker’s Corner and related the story about his recent managerial visit to Dawson Creek’s Chances Casino on behalf of Great Canadian Entertainment. McCartney’s audience of owner/trainer David Milburn, Hastings Racing Secretary Scott Henson and BC Racebook COO Matthew Ruhlman listened intently as he shared the emotional story about the voluntary efforts from the casino staff providing more than 250 meals to Dawson Creek fire victims at a nearby townhall.
When someone asked if the local media picked up on the item, McCartney related: “We didn’t do it for that reason. Our only concern was helping out the community.” Kudos to you, Ryan, and the Chances Casino team.