Hastings' Weekly Winter Round-Up
A dramatic improvement in the weather brought out plenty of workers this week, and not before time, with Opening Day now just five short weeks away
Tara Neigel: Go East Young Woman
By: Jennifer Morrison | March 22, 2024
One of the newest faces on the Woodbine backstretch this spring is TARA NEIGEL, a promising young trainer who has moved her stable from Hastings racecourse in Vancouver to Toronto for the 2024 season. Neigel, who has had a small group of horses for some high-profile owners on the west coast, has six horses and her pony at Woodbine and is excited to try racing at Canada’s biggest track.
“You have to try it, right?” said Neigel, who was born in Victoria, B.C. “My owners wanted to come and we’re looking to build a little bit.”
With Hastings racing just two days a week, Neigel and her clients, which include Darrell Jones, owner of the successful grocery conglomerate Save-On-Foods, Mike Fong and Peter Tom, are hoping to take advantage of Woodbine’s lucrative purse structure and 129-day race meet.
Neigel, whose mother Denise rode horses, fell in love with horses early in life but had her eye on becoming a veterinarian and graduated from university with a degree in molecular biology. Neigel worked on the ground for trainers such as Rob Gilker and David and Terry Forster at Hastings before joining the team of the late Glenn Todd. Neigel was the barn’s pony rider and played an integral role in the success of Todd’s barn.
After obtaining her trainer’s license in 2009, Neigel started a handful of horses for a few years. In 2021 she won three races with 12 starters and in 2022, she had six wins, 11 seconds and seven thirds from just 29 starts. Last year, Neigel had a record of 4-4-4- from 22 starts.
Following the 2023 Hastings meeting, Neigel flew out to Woodbine to visit the famous track.
“I met with [racing secretary] Scott Lane and [vice president of racing] Tim Lawson and they were kind enough to show me around.”
Niegel was convinced she wanted to make the move, so this winter she packed up her three cats and dog and drove across the country. She is assisted at Woodbine by fellow Hastings trainer Shawn Lawson, who is helping her get settled into her new digs.
Article courtesy Canadian Thoroughbred. Click the blue button to read more…
Final Crop of Sungold
This inquisitive little girl is from the final crop of the outstanding BC-based stallion, SUNGOLD. She was foaled on March 7th and is out the multiple Stakes-winning mare, QUATRE CAT (Abraaj).
SUNGOLD (A.P. Indy) will go down as one of the most inflential sires to stand in British Columbia and will be sorely missed. Connections will no doubt be keeping their fingers crossed that this filly can go on to emulate dad’s most famous daughter to date, INFINITE PATIENCE!
Many thanks to Dave Gregory for the photo.
Saturday’s Louisiana Derby Day
Courtesy Fair Grounds
On Saturday, March 25, Louisiana Derby Day will feature the 110th running of the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. 100-40-30-20-10 Kentucky Derby and Oaks points are on the line for the top five finishers as the Championship Series begins in New Orleans with the 1 3/16 miles Louisiana Derby (Race 12, 5:42 p.m) and the 1 1/16 miles Fair Grounds Oaks (5:08 p.m.).
Fasig-Tipton has been named the title sponsor of Fair Grounds’ 2023 series for 3-year-old fillies. The Fasig-Tipton Tremé Triple consists of the Silverbulletday Stakes (ran on Jan. 21), the Rachel Alexandra (G2) (ran on Feb. 18), and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The name of the race series is a tribute to the historic Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans that borders Fair Grounds Race Course.
At noon the racing day kicks off with the $100,000 Crescent City Derby for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds. The $100,000 Crescent City Oaks (La) is slated as Race 3, immediately followed by the $100,000 Costa Rising.
Stakes action picks back up in Race 8 with the $100,000 Tom Benson Stakes, followed in order by the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard, and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation. The portable rail has been moved to 28 feet for all this weekend’s turf races, and with that field sizes are expanded to 10 entries.
Louisiana Derby past performances courtesy of Brisnet:
http://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LADerby23.pdf
Fair Grounds Oaks past performances courtesy of Brisnet:
http://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FGOaks23.pdf
Hastings’ Racing Club
The Racing Club’s shiny new member stretched his legs this week under Kerron Khelawan. Don’t forget to make sure you’ve renewed your memberships ahead of the new campaign. There are still some membership spots available, so tell your friends what they are missing out on - surely the best value in Vancouver sports and a terrific way to meet new people.
Record-Breaking Wagering at Fraser Downs
By Greg Douglas
Fraser Downs at Elements Casino Surrey proudly announces a wave of momentum propelling its 2024 racing meet to new heights. In a stunning display of support, the last two days of racing witnessed wagering that shattered decades-old records, showcasing a remarkable surge in enthusiasm for 5/8th mile harness racing at the renowned venue.
Dawn Lupul, Racing Manager and Communications at Fraser Downs, shares her excitement, stating, "We're witnessing an incredible surge in momentum at Fraser Downs racing. There's a growing interest in our product, and we're incredibly fortunate to have a vibrant community of horsepeople who consistently deliver exceptional performances. Fans are taking notice and it is drawing others too."
The 2024 racing season has been marked by remarkable milestones achieved by some of the track's stars. Trainer Gord Abbott celebrated reaching 1000 wins, while Driver Dave Hudon achieved an impressive milestone of 2500 wins. Additionally, Driver Kelly Hoerdt has recently made his triumphant return with a strong stable of horses under his training, adding to the excitement on the track.
Fraser Downs takes pride in offering one of the lowest takeout wagering profiles in North American harness racing. With Win, Place, Show, Double, Super Hi-5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 all set at the industry-low 15% takeout rate, the track ensures great value for horseplayers. Moreover, the Pick 5 features a $1 minimum bet, and the Double offers a unique $2 minimum bet, enhancing the potential for higher payouts and increased excitement for players.
Racing action continues every Thursday and Friday night at 7:00 pm PST / 10:00 pm EST until May 3, 2024.
Don’t Forget to Book Your Tickets!
New Stride News
'It's Magical!' Baffert Targets Fifth Dubai World Cup
“They’re taking off right now, how about that?!”
Bob Baffert is in relaxed mood in California ahead of next weekend’s Dubai World Cup meeting as two of his horses speed down the runway, about to launch for Dubai. Newgate heads for the $12million Dubai World Cup and Hopkins for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Despite success in the desert which has seen him win four Dubai World Cups so far, Baffert won’t be joining his horses on the trip.
“I love Dubai, I’d love to go but I’m shorthanded an assistant right now, so Jimmy [Barnes] is going, he’ll be there at the weekend, along with a rider and a groom.”
Barnes was also at the helm when Country Grammer won Baffert his most recent Dubai World Cup, in 2022. This time he takes charge of Newgate, who returns to action less than a month after winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 3rd.
“With Newgate I know I’m kind of back a little quick, but he’s a really hardy horse who carries a lot of flesh,” says Baffert. “He’s doing better now than he was going into the Big Cap when he was a little heavy. I really think he’s doing well.”
Newgate will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who combined with Baffert on Country Grammer and who also has three other Dubai World Cups on his resume.
“The thing about Frankie Dettori is the great riders don’t need any instructions,” continues Baffert. “When the gate opens, they figure it out. The last thing on my mind is worrying about Frankie and what he’s going to do on the horse. My job is to make sure that the horse shows up.”
Baffert is under no illusions as to the strength of the $12million dollar race, which features defending champion Ushba Tesoro as well as Laurel River, who he trained to win the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar, before the six-year-old moved to Bhupat Seemar in Dubai.
“I’m running against one of my old horses [Laurel River]. He’s a really talented horse; a top calibre horse. They can all stay if they don’t go too fast early on.”
Is there any similarity between Newgate and Baffert’s four winners of the race? The answer is emphatic.
“Totally different. My other winners were in top form, coming off big races. Country Grammer was coming off a long layoff, ran in Saudi and he was just a true mile and a quarter horse. The ride that Frankie gave him was unbelievable. He beat Life Is Good who was a great horse but the distance got him a little bit.
“Arrogate was one of the greatest performances of any racehorses that I’ve ever trained - he was incredible. To me, it was like a Secretariat-like performance. What he did that night; not breaking, being last, coming around… Gun Runner was a great horse and he just catches him like it was an exercise gallop.
“Winning the first time with Silver Charm was just really exciting. It’s the only race that you lead your horse up there and you go ‘I think he’s doing well but I really don’t know. I hope he handles everything.’
“I remember Captain Steve; he was normally on the lead but he was four lengths off it and I thought ‘maybe he's not running’ and then he came up and won it. It’s magical, it’s a challenge and I love challenges, but if you have a good horse and he’s ready, you can win it.”
Baffert also has a Dubai Golden Shaheen on his roll of honour, having won the $2million sprint with Secret Circle in 2015. His runner this year, Hopkins, was fourth to the reopposing Sibelius 12 months ago.
“Hopkins ran well last year and I think he’s doing better this year,” says Baffert. “He always shows up; he’s big strong horse. I had him and another horse but I decided to go with him because he’s doing so well right now. When you go halfway across the world you have to make sure your horse is in top form because it’s a tough ship.”
Missing out on Dubai, where will he watch the action? Over a relaxed lunch with friends, perhaps? Not the case.
“I usually watch it in my barn at Santa Anita with all the grooms; we all huddle up to watch. It’s exciting when they run well. To win the Dubai World Cup, it’s just a thrill.”
Baffert’s love of Dubai is rooted in genuine emotion, understandably so.
“Dubai – every time I go, it changes. It’s so much fun - I’ve gone snow skiing there! It’s a working vacation.
“I have great memories because I had a heart attack there and Sheikh Mohammed [bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] saved me. I have so much respect for Sheikh Mohammed and his family – he’s such a visionary guy and has been really good for American racing.
“I got a second chance; he sent a top guy [Doctor] in there and he fixed me. There wouldn’t have been any Triple Crowns if he hadn’t saved me.”
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, March 23
