HorseRacing Central May 21, 2010
FRANK BARROBY RECEIVES TOP HONOUR
Calling it a thrill he never expected, Frank Barroby welcomed the news this week that he has been selected as a 2010 inductee into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
“It’s really a thrill to join the same company of so many outstanding individuals,” the 66-year-old Barroby said. “I knew I was in the running but never thought I’d make it. For me to be included in the company of Sandy Hawley, Avelino Gomez and Ron Turcotte … well, it’s hard to believe.”
Barroby is the only person to be both leading rider and leading trainer at Hastings. He won 91 races to win the jockey title at Hastings in 1968 and emerged as the leading trainer in 1986, 1990 and 1993. He continues to train at Hastings and says: “I still get excited about getting up early every morning and heading for the track. I love the sport as much as ever.”
The 2010 inductees will be honoured at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame awards ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Mississauga Convention Centre outside of Toronto. Barroby, named to the British Columbia Horse Racing Hall of Fame last year, is the first B.C.-based trainer to be elected to the Canadian Hall of Fame.
JOCKEY APRIL FRIESEN ON THE MEND
Following a five-hour operation to repair the broken vertebrae she suffered in a three-horse chain reaction spill at Hastings last weekend, jockey April Friesen has begun the long road back to recovery. Friesen also suffered three broken ribs and a punctured lung. The other two riders involved in the spill, Ismael Mosqueira and Isaias Cardenas, were shaken up but escaped any serious injuries and all three horses were unharmed.
The gaming staff at Hastings Racecourse is planning a silent auction and 50/50 draw to raise money to help April with her recovery expenses. Hastings Racecourse General Manager Raj Mutti has pledged on behalf of Hastings and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation to match all monies raised up to $5,000. Also, backstretch photographer Patti Tubbs has established a Facebook page called ‘Get Well Wishes for April Friesen’ that welcomes her multitude of friends and admirers to register their support.
Mutti praised the First Aid crew, Starting Gate workers and Security Force for their expertise in handling the unfortunate mishap last Saturday. “They handled the three downed riders and horses with the utmost of care,” Mutti said. “They all acted quickly, decisively and professionally.”
FOUR CONSECUTIVE RACE DAYS AT HASTINGS
Friday Night Live (7:00 p.m.) kicks-off the first of four consecutive race dates this weekend at Hastings that concludes with Monday’s Victoria Day 1:40 p.m. card featuring the $50,000 Emerald Downs stakes.
Sir Gallant will try to make it five wins in a row when he faces a solid group of sprinters in a first-level allowance race Friday that carries a $35,000 claiming option. Owned by Ken Walters and trained by Jim Ellickson, Sir Gallant is listed as the 3-1 morning line favourite.
Saturday’s maiden allowance race going 3 ½ furlongs has drawn seven 2-year-olds, including a couple of impressive ‘babies’ owned and trained by Juan Olmos. His past record in this category is rather impressive, having trained champion 2-year-olds El Sinaloense (2008) and Huitzilopochtli (2009).
CLOCKERS CORNER SET FOR SUNDAY MORNING
Hastings Racecourse hosts its second Open House of the season called ‘Clockers Corner’ on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with jockey Richard Hamel and trainer John Snow making themselves available to share their racing knowledge as fans, owners and trainers watch horses work out between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Guests will be able to share an early-morning coffee and muffin Sunday in the patio area of the Hastings grandstand with the people behind the thoroughbred racing industry. Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld will be Sunday’s official host along with track announcer Dan Jukich.
GET SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT HPI HANDICAPPING CONTEST
It’s ready to go on Friday, June 4: the annual Friday Night HPI Handicapping contest that runs right through until September 10. Each weekly winner receives $100 and advances with the top five cumulative scores for one of two seats in the Orleans World Series Handicapping contest in Las Vegas. The prize also includes airfare. Check for more details at Customer Service outlets. And how about this? One of our lucky HPI members cashed in a Hollywood Pick 6 ticket worth $178,256.60 last Sunday at Hastings.
NEW STRIDE COMMUNITY DAY ALSO SUNDAY
A fund-raiser for the New Stride Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be staged in the Marquee Tent Sunday at 1:45 p.m. For a minimum $10 donation, racing fans can enjoy a fabulous outdoor buffet from one of the finest viewing locations at Hastings. Contact Meril Agrey for reservations at magrey@newsride.com (604-856-1399).
PERSONALIZED SEMINARS BY SCOTT SINCLAIR
Player Development Manager Scott Sinclair of The Betting Company-BC Racebook is traveling around the province as he visits TBC Teletheatre sites for personalized seminars.
Check out our Teletheatre BC website for more information regarding the exciting new concept ‘Learn to Play Personalized Tutorials’ that include wagering tips, giveaways, draws for vouchers and handicapping contests. Here’s Scott’s updated schedule: Chilliwack on Sunday, May 23; Campbell River on Friday, May 28; Nanaimo on Saturday, May 29; and Victoria on Sunday, May 30.
OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD
Conspicuous by his absence at Hastings Racecourse Sunday will be leading jockey Mario Gutierrez. He will be riding Clear to Canada at Emerald Downs in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs and facing undefeated Forener.
Saturday at Hollywood Park is the $100,000 Laz Barrera Memorial at 7 furlongs, attracting a field of 10. Arlington has two features: the $200,000 American 1,000 Guiness for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf and the Arlington Classic for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 furlongs on the turf.
Woodbine’s Saturday feature is the $125,000 Ballade for F & M. Belmont’s feature is the $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Stake for fillies and mares. Saturday also kicks off the $50 million Elite Summer Meet at Monmouth, which will be carried in B.C.
FRASER DOWNS CLOSES FOR CLOVERDALE RODEO
Racing at Fraser Downs will resume on Friday, May 28 after going dark this weekend because of the annual Cloverdale Rodeo. All of the regular simulcasts will still be available at the Fraser Downs complex as the Casino maintains regular hours.
