Successful CTHS sale gives hope for the future

Due to COVID it has been a tough couple of years at Hastings and a struggle to put together cards on most days of the current meet. Horses left to race in other jurisdictions when there was uncertainty about how many actual days were going to be run, as did many of the jockeys who normally ride in Vancouver.

However, you would not know how grim it is by the optimism shown by some of the people in the local industry. Most of the optimism comes from the results of the annual Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s, British Columbia Division, yearling and mixed sale held Tuesday.

A total of $1,191,000 was spent on the 75 yearlings sold. It was a huge increase over the $639,600 from the 49 yearlings sold last year.

“I wasn’t that optimistic a few months ago but as the sale grew closer I thought it was going to be okay,” said B.J. Davidson, regional general manager of the CTHS. “It went better than I thought, and I was really happy that probably just six of the horses sold will leave the province. We obviously need horses in B.C., and it is great that most of the ones we sold will be at Hastings next year.”

David Milburn, president of the local Horsemen’s Benevolent Association, said “The average was up, the gross was up. It bodes well for next year, and we have put together a strong fresh horse program.”

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Milburn was referring to the recently announced $6,000 bonus for fresh horses. The bonus money and $1,000 to help with shipping, is for horses who had not started or previously been stabled at Hastings. Horses who made their last start in Washington or Oregon are not eligible.

Horses will receive $2,000 after each of their first three starts.

◗ There is a $549,197 carryover in the jackpot pick five for Monday. Given the short fields it will likely carry over to the following Monday when there will be a mandatory payout. The meet ends Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Parker Point looks like the one to beat in a $16,000 claimer for nonwinners of three that drew seven horses and goes as the second race on Monday’s seven-race card that begins at 3:45 p.m. Pacific.

Parker Point was making his first start for trainer Rob VanOverschot when he finished second in a $20,000 claimer for 3-year-olds on Aug. 31. Acting on behalf of Adam Isfeld, VanOverschot claimed the son of Stephanotis for $4,000 out of his previous race.

Last year, VanOverschot was acting for Isfeld when he claimed Uncharactheistic for $8,000. Uncharacteristic has gone on to win the Grade 3 Canadian Derby and the Manitoba Derby this season.