Up and Running
A successful opening day with a quick turnaround and a first chance to cast an eye across Saturday's runners at Hastings; while local connections look to Churchill Downs and Friday's Kentucky Oaks
Overnights, Saturday May 6
Racing Colours
Professional artist Cathy Rycroft took a break from her studio last week and brought her brushes to Hastings. Rycroft was in town to update the jockey statues that line the home straight, as well as the fine fellow (pictured below) in the winner’s circle — which is updated annually in the colours of the previous season’s leading owners; the honour this year going to Rob and Sheen Maybin.
Cathy has been painting the Hastings’ ‘jockeys’ for quite a few years now and she looks forward to her regular trips across the Rockies from Edmonton. This year the trip was even more personal for Cathy, as she was also on hand to cheer on her daughter Nicole, who saddled BIG UNION to win the nightcap on Sunday and launch her training career in perfect style! Cathy, along with husband Kelly and Dennis Dale, is a part owner in Big Union, so it’s very much a family affair. Cathy and Kelly trained for many years themselves and they are, of course, members of the well known Rycroft racing family who have enjoyed so much success in Alberta and beyond. Cathy paints to commission, including an annual portrayal of the Canadian Derby winner, and you can see some of her work by clicking on her Instagram page [below].
Kentucky Oaks
There is plenty of local interest in this year’s Kentucky Oaks (Friday, Churchill Downs). Local owner Peter Redekop sees his colours carried by Grade 1-winning Santa Anita Oaks runner-up AND TELL ME NOLIES (Arrogate), who is drawn nine of the 17 sophomore fillies and will be ridden by Ramon Vazquez. Trained by Peter Miller, Redekop’s star landed the G1 TVG Del Mar Debutante Stakes last September and demonstrated her well-being by twice chasing home the Bob Baffert hotpot, Faiza, this spring. The second of those efforts was in the G2 Santa Anita Oaks where And Tell Me Nolies kept on gamely, despite enduring rough passage and connections have certainly not travelled to Kentucky to make up the numbers.
Meanwhile, connections of last season’s four-time Hastings’ winner FLORIDA GATOR (Lea) will no doubt be cheering on his half-sister DORTH VADER (Girven), while local breeder and sales consignor Jamie Demetrick will be hoping for a bold showing from GAMBLING GIRL — Demetrick has a two-year-old colt by the filly’s sire, Dialed In, slated for the upcoming Fasig Tipton Digital Sale.
Opening Weekend
Bloodhorse Headlines, Thursday May 4
