End of the year · 6.11.08

The 2008 Hastings racing season ended this past weekend when Arkhill won the 12th race on Sunday, the $30,000 Jack Short Adios Amigos Allowance. The traditional season-ender is named for the long-time track announcer, who called some 50,000 Vancouver-area races over 43 years. I remember listening to Jack Short’s race calls on CJOR-AM in the 1970s — he would always end his broadcasts after the last race with the words “Adios, amigos!”

Mario Gutierrez successfully defended his jockey title, winning 103 races out of 427 starts (24.1%), while Stephanie Fedora finished the season as the leading apprentice, winning 40 out of 347 races (11.5%). Among trainers, Troy Taylor led the way, saddling 53 winners in 203 starts (26.1%). The leading owners were Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella (remember them?) — their horses won 46 out of 170 races (27.1%).

Among the horses — and it’s always about the horses — Krazy Koffee and Against the Sky each won six races, El Sinaloense won five, and Spaghetti Mouse won four. Each of them will be under consideration for year-end honours when BC’s thoroughbred awards are handed out November 15th.

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What do you think?

  1. It was great being in the winner’s circle with all of the Short family and they had the winner too.

    — Dr. Timothy Yatcak · Nov 6, 10:53 AM · #

  2. Against the Sky was the most impressive one for this observer: making the jump from claimer to two time stakes winner was as classy a move as occured all season.

    — Dr. TImothy Yatcak · Nov 7, 09:59 AM · #

  3. UPDATE: Both Rosberg and True Metropolitan did not fare well over the weekend in Toronto (Gr.2 Autumn Stakes) finishing 7th and 8th respectively in a field of nine over 8.5 furlongs to Marchfield (an in and outer who often surprises at odds). True Met appears much OVER the top at this late date and would have been a strong bet AGAINST by most rational handicappers. He needs time off.

    — Dr. Timothy Yatcak · Nov 10, 11:58 AM · #

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