In the News

 

 

By Greg Douglas

HISTORY-MAKING DEAD HEAT

IN FINAL JOCKEY STANDINGS

Dramatic Finish on Closing Day at Hastings Racecourse  

 

Vancouver, B.C. (Oct. 27/19) – When Enrique Gonzalez won his first-ever Leading Jockey title at Hastings Racecourse in 2013 it came down to the final day of the season when he was deadlocked with Amadeo Perez at 57 wins each.  Gonzalez won two races; Perez was skunked.

Gonzalez was no doubt thinking of repeating those same theatrics Sunday when he entered closing day trailing Antonio Reyes by just one victory:  55-54.

Reyes began the afternoon with back-to-back wins in the opening two races.  Game, set, match …  right?  Not quite.  Gonzalez won the 3rd, 6th and 7th – his second hat-trick in as many days.

Nobody had to reach for a calculator to realize there was a dead heat for the jockey title when the two hooked up again in the 9th and final race of the afternoon, which just happened to be the final race on the 2019 schedule.

Then along came Jose Asencio to spoil all the fun. One of the hottest riders on the grounds these past couple of weeks, Asencio scored his 32nd win of the year aboard Trupon Online for owner/trainer Robert Maybin. 

Reyes ran third on Jack’s Reign; Gonzalez finished fourth on My Grand Valentine and for the first time in Hastings modern history there was a tie for first place in the final Leading Jockey standings. 

Let the records show that Reyes finished with 57 wins in 348 starts; Gonzalez finished with 57 wins in 252 starts.

Season-ending ties have happened in final Leading Trainer standings on three occasions over the last 40 years:  Barbara Heads and Terry Clyde in 2006; George Cummins and Cy Anderson in 1984; Harold Barroby and Dennis Terry in 1981.

But as track historians noted Sunday, the year 2019 will go down in the record book as the first time there has been a tie for the Leading Jockey honours.

This season’s Leading Trainer title was decided back in the early stages of the season when Phil Hall was making as many trips to the winner’s circle as the leading jockeys were enjoying.  Hall and his assistants Sara (his daughter) and Brad Cuthbertson finished with 53 wins while the Leading Owner award goes to Glen Todd’s North American Thoroughbred Horse Company with 25 first-place finishes.

The annual Thoroughbred Awards Dinner and Hall of Fame inductions is set for Thursday, December 5 at Newlands Golf and Country Club in Langley.

It was announced on the weekend the 2019 Hall of Fame inductees will be owners and breeders Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. spearheaded by childhood friends and business partners Mark Mache and Horatio Kemeny, as well as Dancing Allstar, the 2007 Sovereign Award winner as the best two-year-old filly in Canada.

For more information:

 

Darren MacDonald

General Manager

dmacdonald@hastingsracecourse.com

Greg Douglas Media Relations  drsport@telus.net

2019 WAIVER CLAIMING RACES

Hastings Racecourse - In House Rules

 

1. Horses that run in any 2019 Hastings Claiming race from now until the end of the current Hastings Racing Season is offered Waiver Claiming provided the horse does not start at any other track in between these dates.

2. To Waiver Claim means to run protected without a claiming price.

3. To be eligible to Waiver Claim on a race with a set claiming price, horses must have raced at Hastings in 2019 and have run its last race at the set claiming price or lower.

4. When a horse is ‘bought down’ to set its tag at a lower claiming than the claiming race amount, this lower ‘tag’ determines eligibility level of the Waiver Claim in its next race.

5. Until a horse wins at its Waiver Claim, Claiming race level, it continues to be eligible for waiver claiming at that level or above.

6. Horses that Waiver Claim and win are eligible to Waiver Claim in the next race only if it is a higher valued claiming race.

7. Waiver Claiming does not affect or change the conditions for a race in any way.

8. Horses that were claimed in their previous start cannot Waiver Claim and must run for the claiming price. After establishing eligibility by racing for a claiming price, that horse may Waiver Claim.

9. A Maiden winner which was Waiver Claimed, can Waiver Claim its next race at the same or higher claiming race level.

Examples

a.         In an 8,000 claiming race a horse that ran in an 8,000, 6,250, or 4,000 in their last start is eligible to Waiver Claim.

b.         In an 8,000 claiming race a horse that ran in a claiming race for more than 8,000 in their last start is not eligible to Waiver Claim.

c.         In a 6,250 claiming race, a horse that ran in an 8,000 claiming race but bought down weight and raced for a 6,000 tag is eligible to Waiver Claim at the next eligibility level ($6,250).

d.         A horse runs for 6,250 and Waiver Claims. That horse can run in the next 6,250 claiming race or for a higher level and continue to Waiver Claim.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emma Smith, TRPB Agent, 410-398-2261, Ext. 248
TRPB DIGITAL TATTOO PROJECT PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY
FAIR HILL, MD (Thursday, September 19, 2019) - With the introduction of a digital tattoo system now less than four months away, the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB) announced today that it has conducted technician training in 25 states and five Canadian provinces, and that more than 900 Thoroughbreds have already received their digital tattoos.
The new system is scheduled for full implementation by January 1, 2020. “Effective January 1st, 2020, all Thoroughbred horses that have not previously been TRPB lip tattooed must have a Digital Tattoo for race day identification,” said J. Curtis Linnell, Executive Vice President of the TRPB. “This Digital Tattoo indicates that the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau has confirmed
the identity of the horse and uploaded updated digital photographs to the breed registry database at The Jockey Club.”
The TRPB provides authentication of identity for every Thoroughbred racing jurisdiction in the United States and Canada.
The transition to the TRPB Digital Tattoo was preceded by a requirement by The Jockey Club which calls for any Thoroughbred foaled in 2017 or after to be microchipped prior to being registered. In essence, the digital tattoo is an electronic validation of the identity of a horse performed by a TRPB Technician. The technician uses a scanner to read the horse’s microchip and that microchip number
hyperlinks to electronic registration information consisting of high-resolution digital photos of the horse
and its markings. The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) passed a model rule regarding digital tattoos. The model rule states, effective January 1, 2020, the racing secretary shall ensure that the registration certificates for all Thoroughbred horses that were foaled in 2017 or thereafter have a digital tattoo prior to entry in a race. Linnell stressed the importance of regulatory commissions and racing associations being familiar with the impending change. “With racing commissions, we want to make sure that they have rules in place that specifically reference the Digital Tattoo for identification to avoid scratching horses from a race come January 1,” he said. “As or racing associations, we are encouraging all of them to make sure racing office personnel understand
the digital tattoo certification and are planning and preparing to incorporate digital tattoos for horse identification.”
Linnell said the current practice of branding horses on the inside lip will be discontinued at the end of 2019. He also said that the new system has received encouraging responses when TRPB personnel and TRPB technicians have met with racing officials, regulators, horse identification employees and other industry officials over the course of the past two years. “For the most part, they seem excited about Digital Tattoos,” he said. “They realize it will provide a more efficient and effective system of identification.” The technician training has been held in: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. The training has also been conducted in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The TRPB, based in Fair Hill, Maryland, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as a national investigative agency in the horse racing industry with the goal of maintaining public confidence in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Additional information about TRPB and the Digital Tattoo is available at trpb.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT

HBPA-BC Board of Directors Statement on the Hastings Backstretch Raid by CBSA

On Monday August 19, 2019, the Canadian Border Services Authority arrived at the backstretch of Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver to execute orders to arrest and/or detain contract workers performing services for various horsepersons in their role as a trainer.  There was no notice and no desire to speak with any employers or track officials or to provide any information as to the reason for this raid or the source of their concern. 

Trainers, who may also be owners, hire staff to perform the difficult tasks required for proper horse care and training.  The hiring of nationalized Canadians and permanent residents is preferred; however, this type of early start, long hour variable work has been difficult to fill through regular means and has resulted in a small and shrinking employment pool. Workers with Visas may be hired by trainers; however, final approval lies with GPEB (the provincial governmentís Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch) which has an onsite office. A license issued by the track licensing authority is required by all who work and have regular backstretch access including volunteers, owners and trainers. 

As reported, the raid was initiated as a response to an internal GPED investigation that began in October of 2018.

 

In media interviews, HBPA representatives (President Milburn and Vice-Presidents Johnson and Henson) have been very critical of the approach and methods used by CBSA in arresting and detaining the workers at Hastings Racecourse.
Other community support organizations have shared their disappointment with the handling by CBSA.

 

The HBPA-BC (Horsemenís Benevolent and Protection Association of BC) is the BC branch of the Canadian and National HBPA organization.  It has the following purpose:

 

• To represent all members in dealing with Racing Associations with respect to purse contracts, the negotiation of purse contracts, the improvement of facilities, and all other matters of interest and benefit to members.

• To take part and advise with Racing Associations, Racing Commissions, governmental departments and agencies and other racing organizations in the establishment of proper rules and conditions which affect in any manner the interests of members, their   employees and backstretch personnel.

• To work for the improvement of living conditions of members, their employees and backstretch personnel. Within such limits as may be determined from time to time by the directors of the Association.

• To aid financially in the care of indigent members, their employees and backstretch personnel.

• To assist worthy members and other persons who have been associated with thoroughbred racing and who, because of age, physical disability, illness or other reasons have become incapable of self-support.

 

The HBPA-BC will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any action that the organization deems necessary.

 

Below is a selection of online stories that covered the events that unfolded at Hastings Racecourse the past week
https://www.casinoreports.ca/2019/08/26/gpeb-inspector-allegedly-executed-elaborate-fraud-plan-at-hastings-racecourse/   August 26th

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/hastings-park-cheating-described-at-several-levels-in-federal-documents  August 24th

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/timing-of-investigation-of-rogue-b-c-official-leaves-horse-racing-official-asking-tough-questions   August 23rd

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-bc-gambling-inspector-accused-of-falsifying-documents-after-migrant/  August 22nd

HBPA-BC Announces New Secretary Treasurer

The HBPA of BC is very pleased to announce that Mr. Neil Stajkowski has been appointed as the Secretary Treasurer of the HBPA. Mr. Stajkowski comes to the HBPA after many years in senior management, financial and consulting positions.  He holds a CPA and CMA designation and has a B. Comm degree from the, University of Alberta.  Neil is a part owner in several race horses and is greatly enthused about the possibilities for the industry and the role he will play going forward. Neil will be assuming the position on June 1, 2019.  

HBPA-BC Appoints Lorne Mitchell as temporary Race Office Liaison

Lorne Mitchell, long time race official, trainer and horse owner has been appointed as the Race Office Liaison.  David Milburn, President of HBPA of BC said, “we thought with the appointment of a new Secretary Treasurer there was a need for trainers and owners to be able to raise questions around the condition book and race conditions”.  To that end the HBPA created a position to help with this work.  We think this will be helpful to HBPA members.  “Lorne is well known at Hastings and is easy to work with” added Milburn.

 

“Our new Secretary Treasurer Neil Stajkowski while highly qualified will benefit from the knowledge and insight that Lorne can give him for the balance of this season” added Milburn. Mitchell starts the new job on June 1.

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PURSES TOTALING $2.27 MILLION

Hall of Fame Owner Peter Redekop Tops Up BC Derby Purse

New Start Times for Derby/Oaks & BC Cup Days  

Vancouver, B.C. (Jan. 16/19) – The 74th running of the BC Derby will take on a new look at Hastings Racecourse this year thanks to the generosity of BC Horse Racing Hall of Fame owner Peter Redekop.
Traditionally the richest stakes race on the Hastings calendar, the 2019 BC Derby became $100,000 richer with Mr. Redekop increasing the purse from $150,000 to $250,000.

“We are delighted to have one of the most accomplished horsemen in our province step up with such a tremendous sponsorship gesture,” said Darren MacDonald, Hastings Racecourse General Manager and Director, BC Racing.

Mr. Redekop has been a major part of the horse racing scene at Hastings since the 1960’s and remains the only owner to capture the BC Derby three consecutive years with Second City in 2012, Title Contender in 2013 and Alert Bay in 2014. His first Derby win was with Squire Jones in 1994.

Stakes purses totaling $2.27 million click into gear on opening day Sunday, April 21 with the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural and $50,000 Brighouse Belles. They will be the first of 36 stake races over the course of the 52-day live racing season that concludes on Sunday, October 20.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​TWO NEW START TIMES

BC Cup Day with seven stake races on Monday, August 5 and BC Derby/Oaks Day with four stakes on Saturday, September 7 will both be part of cards starting at 12:50 p.m. rather than the 1:50 p.m. starts in previous years.

As was introduced last season, MacDonald said the BC Cup agenda will be open races all running on the same day. The card will include the Derby Bar and Grill BC Cup Classic and BC Cup Distaff along with the BC Cup Nursery, Debutante, Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial and Hong Kong Jockey Club – all with $50,000 purses – and the $20,000 BC Cup Marathon.

The $250,000 BC Derby headlines the Derby/Oaks Day card that includes the 57th running of the $100,000 BC Oaks, the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate and $50,000 Delta Colleen.

 

The 2019 Stakes Schedule including the addition of two races for non-stakes winners – the Autumn Leaves and the Lions Gate at the end of meet on Oct. 20 – is available at hastingsracecourse.com.

For more information:

Darren MacDonald General Manager, Director, BC Racing

604.216.5234

Greg Douglas Media Relations

604.736.4469

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