Great Canadian to Sell Hastings' Interests?
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has entered into a non-binding “Memorandum of Understanding” with Great Canadian Entertainment to discuss a possible deal. David Milburn and Gary Johnson respond below
Hastings’ Future
Today’s announcement that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has entered into a non-binding “Memorandum of Understanding” with Great Canadian Entertainment, to explore the possibility of acquiring the casino business at Hastings, has come as a surprise to the track’s backstretch community.
Speaking on Friday morning, HBPA BC President David Milburn said: “While it is disappointing that, once again, the future of the facility horse racing has called home for the past 133 years is being discussed without us being shown the courtesy of being consulted beforehand, we welcome the opportunity to find out more about the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s plans.”
He continued: “It remains the HBPA’s position that racing and slots are inextricably linked, or “coupled”, at Hastings and have been that way since Great Canadian Gaming Corporation purchased the Hastings Entertainment in 2004.”
“The horse racing and casino facility at Hastings continues to be a significant employer in the region and, as such, we believe there may be much common ground between racing in B.C. and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation which, historically, has provided jobs for many throughout its other casino properties.”
Thoroughbred Racing British Columbia (TRBC) chairperson Gary Johnson was also caught unawares by the announcement but, like Milburn, also welcomes the opportunity to find out more about the plans.
“While I found out only moments before the announcement,” Johnson said on Friday. “It is important for people to understand that this is only the very beginning of what might be a long process and, as such, there is no immediate threat to racing, However, we certainly welcome the opportunity to find out more about exactly what the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has in mind.”
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s full press release is published below.
Race Previews — Sunday, June 8
Although THISONESONME finished behind the more experienced ON MY GOOD SIDE last time, it was a solid effort on only his second lifetime start and a little progression might just be enough to get the job done in what doesn’t look, on paper at least, to be the strongest maiden. GEM DANCER makes his Hastings debut and searches for a first win in what will be his 15th start. He’s ran just once last season and is not easy to weigh up, but should be a factor if able to reproduce some of his better efforts from the previous campaign at Penn National. MAX BOOSTER has hit the board in eight of his 12 starts and was plugging on well enough last time to suggest he can be a threat again today.
FRASER LANDING takes a little class relief here and looks a major threat. He has winning form in deeper waters than he faces today and, last time, wasn’t beaten too far on his season debut. HIGHLINER had NU SOUP FOR BABY behind when winning on his season debut and had STANFORD NORTH in his rear view when second last time. BARBERRY BANDIT should have blown the cobwebs away with a solid second on his reappearance.
DREAMB looked the winner when quickening past her rivals on her season reappearance, only to be mugged on the outside by the fast-finishing Thompson. That effort should put her spot-on today and she can prevail against the boys. CURLIN ROCKS is a consistent sort who won twice last term. He’s been working well enough in the mornings and shouldn’t be too far away on his season debut. There’s not much between GO LENT GO and KEEP IT COMING, with marginal preference given to the latter after he had his rival just behind when runner-up last time.
BECKETT’S BEST was a real handful at this level last spring, with two wins and a second. He also held his own in deeper waters, winning in much tougher company in July, and he can give the Hastings Racing Club members plenty to cheer about today. The ultra-consistent PADDY D’ORO went down by a head to the ever-present Knopfler on his debut last year, so clearly goes well fresh, and hard to see him not rallying into contention at some point. With two third-place finshes under his girth already, GROOVIN’ IS BAK should lack nothing in fitness and needs to be on the shortlist.
SNAP TO IT had BLUEGRASS LENT behind when going down by a neck to the very smart Mount Doom last month and a repeat of that excellent effort could be enough to get the job done here. EVANDERKEEN, a half-brother to the marvellous Sunbird, looked to have plenty left in the tank when breaking his maiden at the expense of Zenari last month and that form received a boost when Zenari hacked-up by a dozen lengths next time. NEWHART bounced back from last year’s curtailed Hastings’ campaign with a close-up third on his reappearance. Although fourth last time, he was less than two lengths behind Mount Doom and should be in the shake-up.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but CAMPTOWN LADY might have bitten off more than she could chew when trying to match strides with the subsequent 12-length winner Zenari on her season debut last month. She was allowed to come home in her own time once her effort petered out and she can go a lot closer today. NU BLEND drops down the maiden ladder and can get off the mark if able to replicate her last effort; which saw her finish a length second when odds-on favourite. NOZOMI was behind Nu Blend in fourth last time and should be a factor again in Sunday’s finale.
Lisa & Mike’s Sunday Selections
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