Late entry Reporting Star a race favourite
Chad Joe hopes for repeat success from young Florida horse based on recent Canadian Derby performance
Just how important is winning Sunday’s $150,000 B.C. Derby at Hastings Racecourse? One look at this star-studded lineup and the answer is easy: Everyone involved yearns to win the richest race of the season.
The field for this year’s race includes three horses who began their year racing at tracks south of the border: Peter Redekop’s Title Contender, Chad Joe’s Reporting Star and Success Rate from NATHC.
Because these horses were purchased locally after the original nominations were made early this year, the owners will be paying more to race in the B.C. Derby.
Their costs included an extra $10,000 for a supplemental entry fee. Along with $1,500 to enter, $3,000 to actually race is the standard fee charged to every owner.
Last-minute appearances in the Derby come at a price.
One owner who falls into that category is Joe, from Sechelt, who only this year decided to become involved in the sport. Joe already had success with a few of his purchases, including Miss Derek, who races in the $100,000 B.C. Oaks prior to the Derby.
“I thought it would be special to everyone involved with our team, especially with this being my first year involved in horse racing. What a thrill it will be to have Reporting Star running in the Derby!
“Because I have a few young horses in Florida, I decided to call my trainer (Kathleen O’Connell) and tell her what I was looking for. She mentioned Reporting Star, whom she was training.
“I made an offer only to have it turned down. He ran two more times, finishing second in both, and I called her again, to make another offer and bought him.”
While on his way to Vancouver, Joe’s horse made a stop to race in the Canadian Derby at Edmonton’s Northlands Park and ran second.
Off that performance, Reporting Star has been listed among the favourites.
MAJOR UNDERCARD: Among races on the undercard worth watching are the B.C. Oaks that attracted nine outstanding fillies, including KK Sangara’s Burns Turn, who arrived here off a winning race and four seconds.
In the wide-open $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, Peter Redekop’s Andal that it means, who has run competitively in all his starts, looks a real danger.
In the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, Arabella’s Muse looks like the standout, after winning her debut for owners Leif and Karen Nordahl.
Saturday Nite Ride, off her last three wins, appears the one to beat in the $50,000 Delta Colleen.
In one of the most competitive cards, the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate, trainer Troy Taylor appears to have the edge with NATHC’s Commander, coming off three straight wins at Northlands.
HORSES FOR SALE: The Annual CTHS Yearling and Mixed Sale is being held Tuesday at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley. New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society and New Horizons will have booths available to offer helping finding homes for retired horses.
NOTES ON A PROGRAM: Could be an interesting afternoon for Hastings trainer Craig MacPherson, who won the 2012 B.C. Derby with Second City. On Sunday, MacPherson will be trying to accomplish a repeat with trending Blue Grass Pride … Last Saturday Hastings jockeys Alex Marti and Keishan Balgobin were visitors to the all-volunteer B Circuit race meeting held in Osoyoos. They both helped fellow riders Freddy Manrrique and Joe Tapia with their horses in the starting gate. With the two riders winning their races, it was a trip all four will never forget.