Almost Time…
Just a few weeks until we can all head back to town and begin working off the over-indulgence. Set-up begins on February 3, with move-in two days later. The track opens on February 7 and, until February 28, will be open from 8am - 11am.
Rudolf Runs Them Down
Congratulations to Hastings’ handler Cindy Krasner, who got off to a particularly happy new year at Turf Paradise when saddling RUN RUDOLF (Pop Artist) to land an optional claiming contest over six furlongs on New Year’s Day.
Unraced at two, the BC-bred four-year-old son of POP ARTIST (Songandaprayer) won his maiden at the first time of asking at Hastings back in June for trainer Keith Pedersen, before going on to finish third in a valuable claiming event the following month. Out of the former BC Oaks heroine, TEMPERED STEEL (Tempered Appeal), Run Rudolf is a half-brother to the smart Washington Oaks winner BAYAKOA’S IMAGE (Lent), as well as Hastings’ winners HE’S RELENTLESS (Lent) and LOLA M (Numaany).
Run Rudolf is owned by Randy Lane and Roy Nelson and was bred in BC by Nite & Day Stables.
Sovereign Awards
Four of the very best Hastings’ runners from last season have been nominated for this year’s Sovereign Awards – and all four represent the Barbara Heads’ barn.
The BC Oaks and Century Casino Oaks heroine AVANA (Vino Rosso) is nominated in the Three-Year-Old Filly category, while last year’s leading three-year-old male AUGUST RAIN (Sungold), who won both the Canadian and BC Derbies, gets a nod in the Three-Year-Old Colt division. Both horses are owner by Peter Redekop and he and Heads will also be represented by APPREHEND, who returned to action in some style last season after missing a year, taking both the S.W. Randall Plate (Black Type) and the Grade 3 BC Premier’s Handicap.
Last, but definitely not least, is Bill DeCoursey and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ remarkable mare INFINITE PATIENCE (Sungold), who brought down the curtain on an extraordinary career with three more important Stakes victories, including a fourth consecutive Northlands Distaff.
You can read more about this year’s Sovereign contenders in Jennifer Morrison Canadian Thoroughbred article here:
Hastings’ Fresh Horse Program
California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Winter Mixed Sale
New Stride News
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Tuesday, January 7
