One of the top jockeys at Hastings Park, Mario Gutierrez, has been riding in Southern California this winter.  This past weekend, he got the call as the rider for I’ll Have Another, a 43-1 longshot entered in the Robert B Lewis stakes.  This race is a prep for the Santa Anita Derby, and a small [...]

The Breeders’ Cup is just about to get underway at Churchill Downs. It’s grown from humble beginnings in 1984 to one of the highlights in the racing season. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more competitive gathering of racehorses in North America. This of course, translates into one heck of a betting bonanza as [...]

It’s less than 2 weeks away until Breeders’ Cup weekend.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a better day of racing (and betting) than Breeders’ Cup Saturday.  We’ll have more to say as we get closer, and fields are drawn, but in the meantime, ponder over some of these odds being offered by the Wynn [...]

I was very sad to read that Sid Martin had died on Monday evening at the age of 82. Born the ninth of 10 children in Sydney, New Brunswick, he was small for his age as a teenager and was recruited into the sport of kings by local book maker Abe Forshaw.  As an apprenteice [...]

As of 10am, it looks like a gem is shaping up in terms of weather: a fall day in the Lower Mainland without rain.  Weather forecasters be damned.  The two main races of interest today are the G3 Ballerina and BC Premiers (which it lost its graded status unfortunately this year).  Here’s a quick take [...]

An update of what’s making news in the racing world: Hastings Park is entering its final weekend for the 2011 season.  After weathering an extended playoff run by the Canucks and unusual amounts of rain, racing at the East Van landmark finally picked up steam.  Record setting BC Cup and BC Derby cards and steadily [...]

“On any given Sunday, anything can happen”  - NFL adage As the season that almost wasn’t kicks off, Hastings Park will also be host to a contentious sequence of events on Sunday afternoon.  The $200,000  BC Derby highlights a card that also includes the $100,000 BC Oaks, and the two $50,000 CTHS Sales stakes (fillies [...]

Saturday Aug 27 will mark the 142nd running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.  After the Kentucky Derby, it’s arguably the most important race for 3 year old horses, and certainly has implications for the Breeders’ Cup.  A competitive showing could lead to a shot at the Classic this November. 12th Race - Saratoga – Saturday, [...]

Here’s a quick brief on what’s been making news in the racing world, here at Hastings and abroad: BC Cup day at Hastings was a success in terms of wagering handle and on track crowd.  It was by far the best day for the track financially, with bettors wagering over a million dollars (typical handle [...]

  Here’s a small preview of what to expect tomorrow, by Tommy Wolski’s Sport of Kings TV. First race is at 12:20 noon.  Hastings has put together a 10 race card on what has become the signature day on the racing calendar here in Vancouver.  There’s even a possibility of a Pick 5 carryover, if [...]

The weather gods showed a little kindness to racing fans today, equine and canine.  After qualifying in his heat, Joey the wiener dog proved to doubters that he was worthy of a three-peat as he emerged to take the last heat in his final strides (watch the replay here).  A healthy crowd turned up to [...]

Two-day Showdown – 64 Dogs – at Hastings This Weekend With his owner Nancy Green saying he’s not too old to cut the mustard, ‘Joey’ the wiener dog is returning to Hastings Racecourse this weekend with hopes of winning his third straight championship. It’s the 3rd annual Wiener Dog competition with all 64 kennels having been [...]

 The regular Friday Night Live card at Hastings Racecourse has been adjusted to a Friday Afternoon Live program today with a 3:20 p.m. start to accommodate the BC Lions CFL home opener at Empire Field.  In a message to the masses, Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, has invited football fans to drop by [...]

  We are halfway through the 2011 racing season at Hastings, and the traditional Canada Day card is set for tomorrow at 1:50pm.  With the new Pick 5 rules in effect, this might be the day where we see the first carryover for the year.  The Pick 5 races look to be quite contentious with [...]

Here is a recap of what is going on at Hasting Racecourse on Canada Day: CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS GET ROLLING AT HASTINGS Two great stakes races, live music by Dr. Strangelove, a Family Zone and a chance to win a weekend getaway to Predator Ridge are all part of the Canada Day celebrations at Hastings [...]

 Cindy Krasner sensed something good might be up with Wando Woman and the veteran trainer was proved to be a bit of a psychic Saturday afternoon at Hastings Racecourse. Wando Woman, a four-year-old B.C.-bred filly ridden by Frank Fuentes, came from the back of the pack to win the $50,000 Vancouver Sun Handicap in a final [...]

The track was muddy but the sun was peeking through for the Sun‘s annual $50,000 race for fillies and mares.  Wando Woman, with rider Frank Fuentes, topped heavy favourite, Caged Mistress.  Here were some photos:  

The feature race tomorrow at Hastings Park will be a handicap race sharing the same name of this fine blog site.  It’s a route race for fillies and mares, and there’s a good possibility of a rainy afternoon at the track.  Here’s a look at the field: STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt.Purse $50,000.Vancouver Sun Handicap. [...]

Since 1978, when he first started announcing at Fraser Downs, Dan Jukich’s voice has been a familiar accompaniment to racing fans in the province. He spoke to Off-Track Blogging in his announcer’s booth at Hastings, where he has announced since 1990, where he watches the races with a set of binoculars, stepping on a foot pedal to activate his microphone.

Incase you missed it, the Belmont Stakes last Saturday nearly blew up the toteboard.  Ruler on Ice took the 143rd running at 24-1.  I figured he could hit the toteboard, just not in the win spot.  The horse I was rooting for, Brilliant Speed, appeared to have the race in hand at the stretch, only [...]

  With the 143rd Belmont Stakes running this Saturday, OTB has done a rundown of the field.  While there won’t be a Triple Crown winner in 2011, there are still some compelling storylines in this race.  Both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners will be running again, and they’ll be taking much of the betting [...]

Nestled between Games 5 and 6 of the Cup finals, the Belmont Stakes will be running for the 143rd time on June 11.  Nicknamed “The Test of a Champion”, it’s one of the few dirt races still contested at 1.5 miles (2.4 KM).  Despite the decline in thoroughbred stamina over the years, it’s not likely to [...]

Preakness 136 is in the books, and it was a good one. Shackleford wires the field at odds of 12-1, with Animal Kingdom second, and Astrology third.  The pace was faster for about 3/4 of the race, but slowed down as runners approached the stretch run.  There will be no Triple Crown this year, folks. [...]

Here’s a closer look at the field for the 136th Preakness: 1) Astrology:  Highly regarded horse didn’t have much of an excuse to lose the Sunland Derby, but may have needed a race or two before getting into winning form.  Responded with a much better effort in the Jerome despite being second.  Could run a [...]

The Preakness is upon us, and with Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom installed as the worthy 2-1 Morning Line favourite, there is not too much left to ponder except what to do to watch and/or celebrate the race. We all know that the Kentucky Derby is about fancy hats, mint juleps and red roses. What [...]