Hastings Racing Club sends out first starter

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – If Urban Achiever wins the second race at Hastings on Saturday, there won’t be enough space in the winner’s enclosure to take the traditional win picture. The 2-year-old colt by Idiot Proof is the first horse to start for the Hastings Racing Club. The cost to join the club is $250, and club manager Richard Yates said the full allotment of 200 shares has been sold, and there is a waiting list for next year.

“I thought it was a great idea but that it was just going to be okay,” said Yates. “I am astounded by the response. It just shows you there is more interest in horse racing out there than you might have thought.”

The club members technically are leasing Urban Achiever and Square Dancer, an older upper-level claiming horse recently purchased by the club. The money that club members put up goes to training fees. The money used to purchase the horses came from marketing money that was left over from last year. The marketing money was part of an overall budget for the Thoroughbred industry that is managed by the government-appointed British Columbia Horse Racing Industry Management Committee.

“It was either use it or lose it,” said Yates. “If both horses are viable for next year, they will be retained by the club.”

Trainer Steve Henson is excited for a couple of reasons about running Urban Achiever on Saturday. Henson purchased him for $25,000 at the Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training.

“First of all, it will be great for all of his owners to come to the races and see him run,” said Henson. “It is amazing how many show up every time he works, and this should be a great experience for them. He’s fast, so I think he’ll run a good race.”

Second, Henson is planning a little surgery for the colt after he runs.

“Putting it politely, he’s a handful,” said Henson. “I’ve been in this business my whole life, and he is the first horse I can honestly say I have a hard time handling. Luckily, he’s not a big horse, or I wouldn’t be able to handle him. Not only does he eat all of his food with vigor, he also likes taking big bites of me. I’m sure after he’s gelded, he’ll be a lot more manageable.”

Urban Achiever drew post No. 6 in the maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds going 3 1/2 furlongs. He will be ridden by Amadeo Perez.