Saturday Previews
In one of the most anticipated clashes of the new season, last year's Champion juvenile Lizzie's Rayne takes on her Glen Todd Fantasy Stakes vanquisher, Brooke Magic
WITH a Hastings record that saw him win once and finish second four more times in just six starts, it was no surprise TIZ VICIOUS proved popular at the claims box last season — changing hands three times after arriving from California in the spring. Now back with the trainer who last won with him, his most recent workout came with a ‘bullet’ and he runs here at the same level as last June’s victory. I’M CORFU was also brought up from Northern California last year and performed well enough all season without quite getting his head in front. He’s had a winter off, however, and could easily be a different proposition today. A repeat of his gutsy second-place finish to Star Entry, with the useful Finding Ways behind on his final start last year, would see him go very close. It’s been a couple of years since STAY FANTASTIC won at this distance, but he’s a class act on his day and, while he could easily need the race and will almost certainly be seen to better effect over longer, shouldn’t be underestimated.
SLEW’S DA BOSS makes a rapid return to action after finishing down the field last weekend. He was steadied briefly by his rider to avoid traffic issues but was running-on at the end and, dropping a little in class, should relish the extra yardage here. TEX HANELY, who is making his Hastings debut after joining the East Van horse population from Golden Gate, should also appreciate today’s mile-and-sixteenth course. He last ran in February, where he finished fourth in a bottom-level claimer after dropping slowly through the grades. However, a repeat of that or any of his previous four efforts, put him firmly in the mix. TEXAS MOONSHINE goes for a four-timer here after notching two quick wins already this season to add to his victory over this distance on his final outing of '23. He made full use of a softish lead last time and if he’s given the same amount of rope again will prove troublesome.
FATES conspired against BAKKEN OVERDRIVE last time after he got stuck three-wide outside a pair of duelling front runners. He kept-on well enough, but ran out of steam and couldn’t stop ROCKCLIFFE’s late spurt up the rail, while also losing out on second to Wisely Played’s even later flourish. Usually one to dictate the pace, Bakken Overdrive should be ‘match fit’ today and, although he again has a less than helpful post position, looks the one to beat. COUNTERACT was one of the ‘duellists’ who caught Bakken Overdrive in their crossfire but, despite weakening late, was only a length behind Rockcliffe at the line, while ARISTOCRACY, who should be seen to even better effect when stepping up in distance, has been working well in the mornings and would be a handful if repeating his best from last year.
LAST season’s Champion juvenile filly LIZZIE’S RAYNE makes a highly-anticipated start to her sophomore campaign and renews rivalry with BROOKE MAGIC, one of only three fillies to finish ahead of her last year (and two of those were on her debut over 3½ furlongs). They clashed in last October’s Glen Todd Fantasy Stakes, where Brooke Magic, making just her second career start, put almost three untroubled lengths on her rival at the wire, with today’s rival VIVA LA DIVA just behind in third. That was on a wet track, however, and over the mile-and-sixteenth course. It should be a tighter affair between the three over the 6½ furlongs today, although Brooke Magic did look particularly classy in her Fantasy win. FOOTHILLS BLVD impressed with a gate-to-wire win on opening day, on just her second lifetime start, and a repeat of that puts her firmly in the mix, while BAKBURNER caught the eye earlier this month with a smart second-place finish and is clearly going in the right direction.
THERE doesn’t appear to be a lot of front-end speed in here and it could easily turn into a sprint for the line. However, THERE GOES MY HERO has won off the front end before and could take advantage if allowed any leeway in what is a wide-open contest. BECKETT’S BEST just got up under a perfectly-timed challenge by Kimal Santo last time and, making just his sixth start, may have a little more improvement in him than some of his rivals. DON W, meanwhile, should benefit from a slght drop in class and now has a race under his girth. He won’t be far away. Finally, ROLLIE’S SPIRIT had Champiosa, There Goes My Hero and CRYPTO MUNNY behind when they met earlier this month, but there is very little between them and CHAMPIOSA in particular was doing his best work late.
THE betting market should be the best pointer in what looks a fascinating collection of maidens; including debutante I’M SEEING RED, a half-brother to B.C. Derby winner Regal Riot, and once-raced GO LENT GO, a half-brother to the former Chris Loseth Handicap winner and B.C. Derby runner-up, Weekend Wizard. Well-bred ATTAIN is also making a first career start, while WHEN IN MEXICO, who was fourth on opening day, is a full-brother to Home Run Girl, a winner on her first career start earlier this month. GO LENT GO and HIGHLINER endured something of a trial-by-ordeal when bumping into some above average rivals two weeks ago and this looks a slightly less challenging opportunity. ON MY GOOD SIDE should also come on for his season debut and his barn has had a winner and a third from just three starts.
THIS looks a perfect spot for WEEKENDINDELMAR, whose sole outing as a juvenile saw her finish second to Champion 2yo Lizzie’s Rayne in the B.C. Cup Debutante Stakes, with today’s rival DONNA WYN just behind. Any repeat close enough to that could be good enough to see her lose her maiden tag here. Donna Wyn makes her third start of the season and will lack nothing in fitness, while SHE’S KIND OF HOT represents the in-form Steve Henson barn and wouldn’t need to progress too much on last September’s second place behind dual winner Beckett’s Best to be involved at the sharp end again today.
Lisa & Mike’s Pick’s
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Bailey on the Backstretch
SOME horses getting to the starting gate takes a little extra patience and the winner’s circle is the reward for that very bond. When Bunny made her triumphant victory at first asking this season on May 11, it was a prime example of just that: patience and perseverance.
The beautiful filly by Mo Town out of BC champion mare Snuggles has kept trainer Dino Condilenios on his toes from daily training to getting her out of the paddock on race days, similar to her mother who was bred and raced for the same connections, Swift Thoroughbreds.
When 2024 spring training began at Hastings Racecourse Condilenios was in a little bit of a situation looking to get someone to commit to galloping the opinionated powerhouse daily so her routine could remain the same and opt for the best results of a happy horse.
That’s when jockey and exercise rider for the barn, Scott Williams, agreed to give the filly his best effort. It was a situation that would potentially lead to the perfect bond of consistency that Bunny would need … same rider for daily training and that same voice to help calm her on the way to the starting gate.
Come race day, Dino had mentioned to some people looking for a little handicapping insight that if she could keep calm through the paddock it would be her race. As we all watched in anticipation, we witnessed a calm and reserved Bunny heading to the gate, knowing the race was shaping up to be an exciting one.
Breaking straight and true to the lead, Bunny never looked back under gentle encouragement, finishing in an impressive final time of 1:16.05. Scott Williams had just ridden down the lane to his 500th career victory, a milestone victory made all the sweeter knowing the extra effort he and Condilenios had to go to form the trust of a lightly raced but very talented horse.
Impressive Race Meet Opening for Assiniboia Downs
The 2024 season got off to a stellar start, with total wagering reaching $1.36 million and a huge $13,400 payout in the Jackpot Pick 5.
Assiniboia Downs (ASD) kicked off the 2024 racing season with impressive results over the opening two days, signaling an exciting year ahead for fans and horseplayers.
Monday night saw a historic evening begin with the raising of a Treaty One flag in a well attended cultural ceremony, followed by the integration of live thoroughbred racing and Indian Horse Relay racing for the first time ever in the province. Once the action concluded, six thrilling races produced total wagering reaching $1.36 million, marking a remarkable 24% increase over last year’s opening day handle, which featured seven races. This resulted in a 44% increase in average wagering per race compared to 2023.
The evening was capped off by a spectacular payout in the Jackpot Pick 5, where a lucky bettor won $13,400 on a mere $0.20 wager.
ASD is announcing that the Pick 4 guarantee will double to $50,000 starting with the next racing program on Monday, May 27.
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