Shine Sparkles in Sunday Feature
A frustrating afternoon for fans of Infinite Patience as, still full of running, she endured a nightmare trip in the day's feature event, with her stablemate Set to Shine the major beneficiary
HIGHLIGHTS
Amadeo Perez scores another riding double.
Barbara Heads had two training victories.
The handle $479,272.
Five of the day’s seven winners were bred here in B.C.
Another scorcher of an afternoon at Hastings, although not quite as humid and unpleasant as the Saturday, as crowds enjoyed the display of Mustang cars on the apron. The track was lickety-split fast all day and again mostly favoured horses on the front end
Race 1.
The first on Sunday was won by Nigel Reid and Pat Jarvis' SHARPZAN ($8.40) who was cleverly ridden by Kerron Khelawan, getting him to settle far off the contested pace that was being set up front. The Pat Jarvis trainee started to creep closer approaching the far turn then was guided to the outside for clear sailing and just got up in deep stretch for the win in 1:17.79. Canyon Farm's BACK SHACK was ultra game throughout, racing on a quick pace of 21.93 and 45.13, stayed strong right to the wire and just missed in a tight photo. Joe and Gloria Russo's MAJESTIC STREET was another that was keen early and up close to the fast tempo, took the lead into the stretch but was reeled in late and ended up third.
Race 2.
The second of the day saw Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's BAK TO LIBERTY lead the field throughout, setting a comfortable tempo of 23.66, 47.82 and 1:13.51 for six furlongs and 1:46.28 for the final time, but he was subsequently disqualified to last place for causing interference at the three-eighths pole. Peter Redekop's AZOV SEA ($6.50) was content to track the speed under Amadeo Perez but couldn’t stay with the winner, ending up a clear second. He was moved up to the win position after the disqualification. John Snow's CRYPTO MUNNY ran well in his Hastings debut, finishing third and was promoted to second after the DQ. Dennis Spence’s JOCK TALK made a mess of the start, costing himself ten lengths. He recovered to be fourth and was moved up to third.
Race 3.
The third race went to the Ironside Stables’ CAB SAV ($8.80) who used the rail to his advantage, battling through splits of 24.34, 47.74 and 1:12.73, and was resolute to the wire in 1:45.20; earning a hard-fought victory under Antonio Reyes for trainer Rob VanOverschot. Canmor Farm’s and Bud Malette's ACCORDINGLY closed up strongly in the stretch and just missed under Kimal Santo. Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's SLOOP JOHN B was positioned well by Learie Seecharan racing in the two path and stuck his head in front turning for home but couldn’t quite hold the lead and ended up a very close third.
Race 4.
The fourth event of the day saw Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ STAY FANTASTIC ($3.10) take command early and set contested fractions of 24.21, 47.62 and 1:12.20 and appeared to be in a little trouble until Amadeo Perez found a little more and he battled back on the inside to win in 1:44.81 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Barry Hickman and Lesley Small's WISELY PLAYED was sitting a little closer than usual and cruised up three deep on the final turn and ran on to be a good second. Georges Georgeopoulos and Terry Georgeopoulos’ FORT LANGLEY was last early and tried to make a sustained four-wide move at the quarter pole, but couldn’t threaten the winner and managed to get into the third spot.
Race 5.
The fifth of the day was won by Russ and Lois Bennett's SET TO SHINE ($13.50) who, sitting last behind a slow pace under Scott Williams, started to gain ground at the far turn and made a sharp four-wide move to engage the leaders and carried his momentum to the wire, winning in 1:17.22 for trainer Barbara Heads. Don Tetaranko's JUST JIMMY was put on the lead by Fraser Aebly and set moderate splits of 22.70 and 46.60. They led turning for home but couldn’t hold off the winner, ending up a good runner-up. White Hall Farms’ BE QUICK was given a perfect ride by Kerron Khelawan to be right on the pace, giving him every chance to win and he ran well, finishing a close third.
Race 6.
The sixth of the afternoon went to Robin Sadler, John and Kim Morrison's BOLD ARCH ($9.20) who put it all together today; blitzing through fractions of 21.61 and 44.75 as he carried his speed to the finish under Silvino Morales to win in 1:15.89 for veteran trainer John Morrison. Shawn and Karen Strachan’s SIR BREGOVIC showed his usual grit, chasing the fast pace and he stayed on determinedly to finish second. Hastings Horsepower and Minnaloushe Stables’ I'M CORFU put in a nice late run to be an impressive third at long odds.
Race 7.
The Sunday finale went to Swift Thoroughbreds’ REMEMBERTHEALAMO ($20.40), who stalked a slow pace under Fraser Aebly then pounced on the leader turning for home to win in 1:19.44 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Willow Creek Farm's THREE DAY BENDER was sent to the lead by Amadeo Perez, getting splits of 22.74 and 46.88. He led into the lane but tired late and was a clear second at the finish. Harold and Sandra Barroby's JERSEYS IMAGE was far back early, made a run on the final bend, then altered four wide and closed smartly to be third.
Golden Gate Fields to Close at End of 2023 Racing Meet
BERKELEY, CA (July 16, 2023) – In a major development aimed at consolidating, invigorating and innovating racing throughout Southern California, The Stronach Group today announced it will double down on its prestigious racing and training venues at Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs by closing Golden Gate Fields at the end of the 2023 racing meet.
At the conclusion of the Golden Gate Fields meet, the company will focus on seamlessly transitioning horses from Northern California to Southern California with the goal of increasing field sizes and adding another day of racing to the weekly racing calendar at Santa Anita Park, come January 2024. This consolidation will provide expanded content opportunities, wagering prospects and will serve to further elevate the overall customer experience at Santa Anita Park.
“The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Stronach Group. “We believe that the future success of racing depends on a business model that encourages investment in Southern California, one of North America’s premier racing circuits. Focusing on Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs as state-of-the-art racing and training facilities that offer enhanced program quality, increased race days, expanded wagering opportunities, and premier hospitality and entertainment experiences is vital to ensuring that California racing can continue to compete and thrive on a national level.”
Stronach added “We recognize that the decision will have profound effects on our valued employees as well as the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable personnel at Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Group is committed to honoring labor obligations and developing a meaningful transition plan.”
Moving forward, the company will work in cooperation with industry participants including the California Horse Racing Board, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Del Mar and Los Alamitos racetracks, to develop a plan to relocate horses and employees to Southern California while supporting all affected by this closure.
Bloodhorse Headlines — Monday, July 17
Racing at Hastings resumes next Saturday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m.
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