Horesracingbc #77

HorseRacingBC Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community

Issue #77

www.horseracingbc.ca

Feb/Mar 2016

B it s & Bi kes FREE! HorseRacingBC Subscription

Can’t find a copy? Anyone wishing to receive this paper online can email: jimreynolds@ uniserve.com and simply ask to be put on our safe and secure mailing list. You will receive the paper in Looking For Old Photos Looking for old photos that show the history of BC racing. Photos will be reproduced and published and returned safely.

No win photos please The Wittup Report

Harness Horsemen. We now feature a monthly report from racing secretary Jackson Wittup of Century Downs racetrack.

See pg. 3 Prince Edward Island To Host 25th Edition of the World Trotting Conference Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that the 2017 World Trotting Conference will be held in Charlottetown, P.E.I. from August 13-20, 2017.

Hastings Updates

On Tuesday, March 1st timed works begin every morning. The track opens seven days a week starting on Monday, March 7th and every Monday up till opening week to allow horsemen to train their horses every day and hopefully have them ready for opening day.

On March 10th the starting gate rolls into action and will be open Hastings Paddock Sale

The Hastings Paddock Sale will be conducted on Saturday, March 26th in the Hastings paddock.

Entry forms and further informaBC Standardbred Industry Awards February 23, 2016 Tickets: $45 per person

Date:

The Thoroughbred Ladies Club of BC The TLC of BC, whose charity work and scholarship program has benefited backstretch workers at Hastings Racecourse since 1973, meets the first Tuesday each month. If you would like to join them in their worthwhile efforts or help at the occasional function, please call: Linda Sentes 604-318-7949 Barb Williams at 604-542-8951.

Russ and Lois Bennett Named E. P. Taylor Award Of Merit Winners At Upcoming Sovereign Awards

The Jockey Club of Canada Board of Stewards are proud to announce that R.J. (Russell) and Lois Bennett will be presented with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit for their longtime involvement and commitment to Thoroughbred Racing in Canada. A member of The Jockey Club of Canada for close to 40 years, Russell Bennett, along with his wife Lois, has been involved in Thoroughbred racing in Canada since the 1950’s.

The Bennetts have proven to be the most successful breeders in racing history in British Columbia, topping the Leading Breeder list in that province almost every year since 1982. They have been honoured nationally and provincially with inductions into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the British Columbia Horse Racing Hall of Fame. In 1983 R.J. Bennett was honoured with the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Breeder, the same year his homebred multiple graded stakes winner, Travelling Victor, became the first horse not raced in Ontario to win Horse of the Year honours as well as Champion Older Male.

TRAVELLING VICTOR — Canada’s Most recently, the Bennetts were awarded the Leading Breeder and Leading Horse of the Year in 1983... Ralph Bower photo Owner titles in British Columbia for 2015 along with their homebred mare, Touching Promise, being named Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare in B.C. The male division of the older horse category was awarded to another Bennett homebred Brass & Gold while their Catz on Fire shared the 3-year-old B.C. bred male with two other recipients in 2015. Touching Promise is also a Sovereign Award finalist for Champion Older Female in 2015.

The Bennetts own more than 40 broodmares and maintain a population of more than 100 Thoroughbreds at their Flying Horse Farm on the shores of Okanagan Lake in Westbank, British Columbia. Producing more than 50 stakes winners, their first stakes winner was Flying Magic, in 1967. A list of other successful stakes runners include, Brandy Magic, Skovinsky, Historical Devil, Tasty Victory, Travelling Round, Easy Triumph, Hurried Romance, Billy Blue, Lively Lord, Always a Dixie, and Multiple Graded Stakes winner Lord Nelson.

The recipient of the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit is decided by The Jockey Club of Canada Board of Stewards and is not necessarily awarded annually. Previously called the Man of the Year Award, The E.P. Taylor Award of Merit is earned by those who have positively impacted or contributed to the Thoroughbred Industry in Canada.

Northlands Calls it Quits They’re in the home stretch now at Edmonton Northlands, and there is growing fear that the finish line is in sight for horse racing in the city, and perhaps the province.

Horse Racing Alberta and the provincial government are still said to be discussing an extension of a financial agreement that diverts about $21 million annually in slot machine

money to prop up the declining horse-racing industry.

That revenue is vital to the continuation of racing at Northlands Park, but Northlands is in a state of flux; it has a strategic vision for the future, and cannot wait for those talks to reach a conclusion before taking action.

On Wednesday, Northlands president Tim Reid

unveiled to employees and volunteers the organization’s business plan for life after the Edmonton Oilers, who are moving to Rogers Place downtown for the 2016-17 NHL season. They will take vital hockey-related revenue out of the Northlands coffers when they go.

Advertisement Called Vision 2020, the

HorseRacingBC is owned and produced by Jim Reynolds.

For advertising and editorial contact: Jim Reynolds 604-533-4546 jimreynolds@uniserve.com

comprehensive business strategy encompasses the entirety of the 64-hectacre Northlands site and includes a contingency plan for shutting down the horse-racing side of the business shortly after the 87th running of the Canadian Derby on Aug. 20.

“In a meeting with staff last night, they told them that the barns would be torn down right after

Racing News…

Issue # 77

www.horseracingbc.ca

Entries Strong As Sunland Park Gears Up For Return To Racing Live racing returned to stakes and $1.3 million only 5% of the barns at Sunland Park Friday, in purses over those the borderland track February 26. With four days. are expected to remain approval from the New Sunland Park’s under restricted access Mexico Racing marquee races, the G3 due to positive tests for Commission, the track Sunland Derby and Equine Herpesvirus is back with its usual Sunland Park Oaks, are (EHV-1). Protocols in Friday-Saturdaytentatively scheduled place have contained Sunday-Tuesday to run March 20. the virus to the point schedule and nine races Nominations to both where racing can start per day, and with a races are being taken again; however, no new, later post time of by the racing office horse will be allowed 1:30 pm MT. with no supplemental to ship on or off the Horsemen strongly fees. property until the New supported the entry box Racetrack officials Mexico Livestock for the return: 91 will continue to Board lifts the trainers have entered monitor the health of quarantine. runners over the four the horses on the All horses entered will days and the average grounds and be inspected prior to field size will be well communicate any racing as well as over nine horses per changes should they random inspections race. The condition become necessary. will be performed. book includes 11 As racing resumes,

Turf Paradise Lifts EHV-1 Quarantine After No More Positive Test

Turf Paradise, which had been under quarantine for EHV-1 since Jan. 28, lifted the restriction on Thursday. The Arizona track had imposed the restriction when three horses shipping in from Sunland Park were discovered to have been exposed to the illness. One horse died after the trio was placed in isolation on the Turf Paradise backstretch; the other two did not develop symptoms.

According to the Blood-Horse, no other horses showed symptoms of the virus and live racing has continued through the quarantine.

Turf Paradise is reportedly not accepting horses from Texas or New Mexico as an extra precaution.

Sunland continues to battle its outbreak, as positive tests are still coming in to New Mexico officials and the virus reportedly spread to a nearby Texas facility as of Wednesday.

Emerald Downs 2016 Stakes Schedule

Feb/Mar 2016

Emerald Downs has announced 27 stakes worth $1,620,000 in purses for its 20th anniversary season that begins Saturday, April 9.

Twenty-seven stakes are scheduled on Sundays beginning with the $50,000 Seattle Handicap for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday, May 8 and concluding closing day, Sunday, September 11 with the $65,000 Gottstein Futurity for 2-year-olds.

The 81st running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) is the centerpiece of the 70-day meeting, anchoring a Sunday, August 14 double-header that also features the $65,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares.

Some new wrinkles have been added this year including an all stakes Pick Four on Mile Preview Day, Sunday, July 17, and a special Monday evening stakes race—the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap for 3-year-olds and up— when the track officially celebrates its 20th birthday on June 20.

Emerald Downs and Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, B.C. will stagger their respective stakes schedules, encouraging participation between the neighbor tracks while maximizing opportunities for horsemen.

The 2016 stakes schedule offers five races for older horses, five races for older fillies and mares, five races for 3-year-olds, five races for 3-year-old fillies and seven races for 2-year-olds.

Annually attracting several of the nation’s fastest middle-distance runners, the Longacres Mile culminates a tremendous four-weeks of racing featuring championship events in four categories. In addition to The Mile and Emerald Distaff, 3-year-old fillies meet in the $65,000 Washington Oaks on Sunday, July 24, and 3-year-olds line up in the $65,000 Emerald Downs Derby on Sunday, July 31.

Post time is 2 p.m. weekends, 6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Saturdays July 9, 16, 23 and 30, and 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 20. The annual Fireworks Spectacular, Sunday, July 3, begins at 4:30 p.m.

DATE. . . . STAKES. . . .

PURSE

Sun May 8 Seattle Handicap (3YO F) 6 ½ F $50,000 Sun May 15 Auburn Handicap (3YO C&G) 6 ½ F $50,000 Sun May 22 Hastings Handicap (3&UP F&M) 6F $50,000 Sun May 22 Governor’s Handicap (3&UP) 6 ½ F $50,000 Sun May 29 Irish Day Handicap (3YO F) 1M $50,000 Sun June 5 Coca-Cola Handicap (3YO C&G) 1M $50,000 Sun June 19 WA State Legislators S (3&UP F&M) 6 ½ F $50,000 Mon June 20 Budweiser Handicap (3&UP) 1M $50,000 Sun June 26 Kent Handicap (3YO F) 1-1/16 M $50,000 Sun July 3 Seattle Slew Handicap (3YO) 1-1/16 M $50,000 MILE PREVIEW DAY Sun July 17 Mt. Rainier Handicap (3&UP) 1-1/16 M $50,000 Boeing Handicap (3&UP F&M) 1M $50,000 Angie C Stakes (2YO F) 5 ½ F $50,000 Emerald Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ F $50,000 Sun July 24 Washington Oaks (3YOF) 1-1/8 M $65,000 Sun July 31 Emerald Downs Derby (3YO) 1-1/8 M $65,000 Sun Aug 7 WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6F $50,000 Sun Aug 7 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) 6F $50,000 Sun Aug 14 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1-1/8 M $65,000 Sun Aug 14 Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) 1M $200,000 Sun Aug 21 Bank of America Challenge*(3&UP) 440 Y $60,000 WASHINGTON CUP DAY Sun Aug 28 WA Cup 2YO Filly Stakes 6F $50,000 WA Cup 2YO Colts & Geldings Stakes 6F $50,000 WA Cup 3YO Filly Stakes 1M $50,000 WA Cup 3YO Colts & Geldings 1M $50,000 WA Cup Filly & Mare Stakes 1-1/16 M $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (3UP) 1-1/16M $50,000 Sun Sep 11 Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1-1/16 M $65,000

Please join the race to save lives.

Every 9 minutes someone in Canada suffers a stroke. Unfortunately, a full 66% of them do not make it to the hospital in time to receive the treatment needed to prevent death or minimize disability. But you will help us change that statistic by donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation during February’s Heart Month campaign. Your donation supports life-saving research and health promotion. www.heartandstroke.ca/give or call 604-342-8070.

www.horseracingbc.ca

Issue # 77

Alberta Government pulls Plug on Racing At Northlands Park Derby Day,” one source said in an email Thursday. They are even saying that they would make this the biggest and best Derby Day ever because it will be the last one.”

According to a Northlands executive, that was merely one interpretation of what was presented

by Reid during two information sessions.“We rolled out the plan,” said Northlands vicepresident Cathy Kiss. “We did not conclusively say that we’re out of horse racing or that we’re tearing down the barns. There was no confirmation of that. But it is most certainly an option.”

“Absolutely. That has been stated before,” said Kiss, who added that the Vision 2020 plan will be unveiled to the public and media next week, most likely on Wednesday.

Horse Racing Alberta chair Rick LeLacheur could not be reached for comment Friday. But a director of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Alberta expressed concern because a deal is not already in hand.

“I do believe there is going to be a 2016 racing season. Beyond that, I’m very concerned where or if it’s going to fit into the plan,” said Brian Bygrave. “It isn’t a good feeling.”

He said the association’s best information is still that an extension or renewal of the memorandum of understanding between Horse Racing Alberta and the province will be signed, perhaps with modifications, but it might not be the long-term deal that will save racing at Northlands.

“Without Northlands, there is only one facility of any substance, in Balzac, and it is not finished,” said Bygrave. “Without Northlands, racing in Alberta would look awfully bleak.”

The 2016 thoroughbred schedule has been posted on the Northlands Park website. It’s a 55-date meet set to begin May 6 and end Aug. 27, a week after the Derby. Bygrave said training will start there March 4, but there isn’t a purse or stakes schedule yet and that concerns him as a director, horse owner and a devotee of the sport

Introducing our new cartoonist.

Marcy Leonard, who draws her panels under the pen-name Mel. (see; www.dailyracingfunnies.com).

Mel started drawing her panels five years ago.

“My first cartoon was of the 2011 Kentucky Derby. I drew it for a few friends on Facebook and people said it brought smiles to their faces. So I drew more and th ings just happened from there.”

We are happy to have her humour on board with HorseRacingBC as she follows Mario and the race for the Kentucky Derby.

cont’d from pg 1

of kings. He’s also worried for the 7,000 people whose jobs are supported by the industry.

If horse racing is indeed finished here, and another source outside Northlands said it “is about to be made defunct,” the land currently occupied by Northlands Park would be re-purposed as an outdoor festival and concert site capable of handling crowds of 60,000 people.

The hope is to provide an alternative venue for festivals that have outgrown their current homes in the river valley or downtown core.

It has also been reported that Rexall Place would be re-purposed as a minor hockey tournament multi-plex, with up to six sheets of ice on at least two levels. Journal columnist David Staples also reported recently that Northlands is considering a proposal to build a 5,000-seat arena inside Expo Centre.

Two sources said the Vision 2020 plan includes a proposal for a major hotel that would be ideally situated near Rexall Place and the Expo Centre, as Northlands would hope to become a one-stop shop for hockey teams and conventioneers.

Kiss would not divulge any details of Vision 2020. She did say Northlands wanted to ensure its employees were fully informed. City councillors have also been briefed on the business plan, which proposes to revolutionize the way Northlands does business in the future.

“There is going to be change,” Kiss said. “We talked about Rexall Place, we talked about the Expo Centre, we talked about Northlands Park, all of it. We wanted to get it all out to staff.

It’s important for us to release information to staff so they’re not caught off guard.”

Northlands employs

The Wittup

Report

Feb/Mar 2016

Things are fine here, I have my first double draw today (going to be short).

The second barn is just about done (we are using it and it just needs final touches), we will have about 220 horses stabled here on a full time basis.

We have had about 100 horses here since the start of January so we are now a 24/7 operation.

Everyone is still waiting for the Government to decide what is happening with the racing agreement that ends the end of March.

Century Casino is still excited to expand (third barn, thoroughbred paddock, hotel) but of course are waiting to see what that agreement looks like.

We are basing our overnight purses on $57,000/ day while we wait and see how the politics game plays out.

On the downside for Alberta racing is, of course, the announcement that Edmonton will get out of racing so we are all wondering if we took two steps forward and three back as an industry.

That about does it from here.

Until next time…

Daily Racing Funnies®

David G. Milburn Barrister & Solicitor Personal Injury Law Criminal Law

I.C.B.C. Claims

(604) 526-1805 Fax: (604) 526-8056 david@davidmilburn.ca KM Law #100- 624 Agnes Street New Westminster, BC V3M 1G8

Feb/Mar 2016

www.horseracingbc.ca

Issue # 77

Gottcha Gold

Coronado’s Quest — Gottcha Last by Pleasant Tap

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Phone: 1-250- 546-2476 or 1-250-306-7792

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Issue # 77

The

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Feb/Mar 2016

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Issue # 77

Feb/Mar 2016

Handicapping 101.1 — The $4 Triactor

The $4 Tri is an interesting be that let’s you add another horse to your combo while reducing the ticket price.

Handicapping: Select four horses and choosing your first two favourites bet them Win/Place, Win/Place. Bet your next two horses to Show and you have a $4 triactor ticket with better odds at lower cost.

REMOVING INFLAMMATION OCD, OSSLETS, ARTHRITIS & WIND PUFFS FROM ANKLES & FETLOCKS. Using the Leg Saver Therapy on all lame and compromised ankles/fetlocks you will be able to bring the joint back into balance and soundness quickly.

You must consider when dealing with Ankle/Fetlock issues that most of the time there is a problem in the rear whether it be the Hocks, Whirl bone, Sacroiliac, Hamstrings or something else. When the horse changes its gait for any reason usually pain there is a shifting of weight to the front legs which is the cause for most front lameness including Tendon Ligament and Joint problems. These rear end problems must be address before you can achieve front end soundness.

Wind Puffs are one of the most irritating problems as the horse is not lame but the puffs are there. Wind Puffs are caused by rear end pain issues.

If you want to do permanent damage to the joint start applying poultice on the joint regularly. The LEG SAVER will kill any ARTHRITIS in the ankle/fetlock and thicken the synovial fluid for smoother functioning of the ankle.

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www.horseracingbc.ca

Issue # 77

Remembering…

Feb/Mar 2016

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Jim Sentes — July 28, 1938- February 18 2016

Paul Moretti

January 2016

Long time east gate guard Paul Moretti passed away in January after a bout with Cancer. Paul was a fixture at Hastings since 1993 and knew everyone that passed through the East Gate on a regular basis.

His claim that he had the hardest job at Hastings may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but he took his job very seriously and he loved the people on the backstretch, brightening their days with his sense of humor.

If you wanted to get him going, which was always fun and easy to do, you just had to knock his beloved Yankees.

He will be sorely missed at Hastings.

Long-time horseman and trainer Jim Sentes passed peacefully at Horse Transport home on the evening of February 18 Thompson Horse Van Lines Born, one of 6 children, in Vancouver, BC, July 1938, to Amwww.thompsonhorsehorsevanlines.ca brose and Apolla Sentes, both Hungarian but naturalized and tel: 604-513-5985 married in Regina, Saskatchewan. Ambrose and Apolla raised the Flooring first 4 kids in Regina but seized the opportunity to trade homes with a family in Vancouver, sight unseen, and made the two week Tip Top Floors has trek, including the family dog, in a Model A. been serving the Jimmy’s worked at the track as hot-walker, groom, owner, Abbotsford area for trainer, feed man, stall man, horse van driver, jockey’s agent,plus many years carrying a 25 year stint as a longshoreman in Vancouver. His racing interest saw him travel to many west/east coast racetracks from the best carpet and Vancouver to Gulfstream.

Yearlings For Sale Never one to mince words, you may not have liked what he had to say, but you always knew where you and he stood. A loyal Three yearlings by friend to a fault, it many times saw him disappointed by their Storm Cat stallion actions. His attention to detail and strong opinions made him Great Legacy out of his own man, loving and caring for his family, close friends and his horses with a fierceness rarely equalled today. His final days proven mares. were spent at home on the golf course, watching and feeding his $1,500 ea. + GST wild birds, squirrels and ducks.

604 - 943 -9292 or Jimmy is survived by his adoring wife of 39 years, Linda skitzfire@ yahoo.ca younger brother, Michael - daughter, Carrie (Curtis), Trainers grandchildren Gabrielle, Lola, Diego - daughter Julie (John), grandchildren Timothy, Jessica, Shane, Charlie - Louisa, Dennis, Frank & Lynn Barroby Bennett Douglas. Most sincere thanks to Dr. Carolyn Condon, Home: 604-888-2303 without whose kindness, caring and diligence, Jimmy’s life would have been very much shorter. There will be no service, or Cedar Spring flowers or gifts at Jimmy’s request. Instead make a donation to Thoroughbreds your local SPCA, racing industry charity or of your choice in his name. Please love and look after your animals, because you are Bruce Unwin their only voice. This account of his life was Jimmy approved’ Public trainer before he crossed his final finish line.

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Issue # 77

www.horseracingbc.ca

Feb/Mar 2016