Despite a slight drop in the average field size from last year, 7.43 compared to 7.78, the total live handle at the meet is up by 6 percent compared to the first eight days of racing last year. In both years, there were 63 races run. The gain is attributed to a strong increase in offtrack wagering inside and outside of British Columbia.
“A lot of our local bigger players continue to follow the trend of wagering online,” said Raj Mutti, general manager at Hastings.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – It will not be long after the last race has been run in December and the horses have been shipped out of the stable area before the dismantling of Betfair Hollywood Park will begin next winter.
Hollywood Park announced Thursday that the 75-year-old track will run its final race meeting from Nov. 7 to Dec. 22. Track president Jack Liebau said in an interview that the demolition of the property will begin in January 2014.
As a racetrack, Hollywood Park will be reduced to memories.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The $50,000 Jim Coleman Province for 3-year-olds is supposed to be the feature race Sunday at Hastings, but a first-level $35,000 optional claimer could steal the show.
The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew eight horses, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a future star emerged from what appears to be a highly competitive field of horses with raw, unproven talent.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The undefeated Bridge Jumper has a lot to prove when he runs in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province Stakes at Hastings on Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds attracted six horses, including Proud Victor, who was voted the local 2-year-old champion last year.
The Province goes as race 3 on the 8-race card which begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
Bridge Jumper was heavily favored in both of his easy wins last year, but he didn’t face any real stars, and he will be tested for class with Proud Victor in the field.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Alpha Bettor played the role of stakes upsetter here last summer, capturing the Grade 3 Seagram Cup at odds of 23-1.
On Sunday, Alpha Bettor will look to enjoy another moment in the limelight as he makes his first start of the season in the Grade 2 Eclipse at the same 1 1/16-mile distance.
“He had some time off, but he’s ready,” said Danny Vella, who trains Alpha Bettor and is part of the ownership group Bulldog Racing.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The dearth of quality entries in certain races at Churchill Downs at this time of year is often roundly criticized by racing fans, but there is a certain rhyme and reason to why the Churchill product can seem unappealing at this particular time.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 5-year-old mare named Itsabeautifulthing is just that, according to trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel, although actions speak louder than looks in the racing game.
“She’s a big, good-lookin’ thing,” said Von Hemel. “She can run a little bit, too.”
Itsabeautifulthing is one of six fillies and mares in the Sunday feature at Churchill Downs, a $61,000 turf race open to fourth-level allowance horses and $100,000 claimers. She has not raced since winning a third-level allowance at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 22, a gap of more than 11 weeks.
OMAHA, Neb. – Diamond Joe, fresh off a win in the $75,000 Bossleman/Gus Fonner Stakes at Fonner Park, will be the center of attention as Horsemen’s Park concludes its three-day festival of racing with the $30,000-added Who Doctor Who Handicap going as the fifth of six races on the Sunday card.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Delegation, who blew away a quality field in the allowance prep for the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes three weeks ago, should be tough to beat in Sunday’s $200,000 Eclipse, a 1 1/16-mile route at Woodbine.
Delegation missed out on Canadian champion 3-year-old honors last year to Queen’s Plate winner Strait of Dover in a fairly tight Sovereign Award vote. He defeated older opposition in the Grade 3 Durham Cup and finished third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita.
