Random thoughts and observations · 21.06.10
- There is a pond in the infield of Hastings Racecourse where, over the years, a number of Canada geese have taken to nesting. On at least one occasion a goose has wandered onto the track during a race, causing a horse to shy away and leading to a disqualification. I’m rather surprised that nothing more serious has occured to-date, and that nothing has been done to force the birds out — the latter may be due to concerns about the likely reaction of the Hastings Conservancy and their fellow travellers. However, Nature may now be taking its inevitable course: rumour has it that the track infield’s newest residents are… a family of coyotes.
- Reading Jim Squires’ Headless Horsemen makes me want to find where Dr. Alex Harthill is buried and do unspeakable things to his grave.
- Zenyatta wins again, doing what should be physically and statistically impossible for a deep closer — people still dismiss her as a synthetic specialist — and the Sun continues to rise in the east and set in the west.
- The continuing poor economy, and this spring’s poor weather, have combined to reduce both on-track attendance and wagering handle at Hastings. This has forced Hastings to reduce its stakes purse levels. The most notable cut was to the Grade 3 B.C. Derby, which was reduced in value from $200,000 to $100,000 (after being reduced from last year’s $300,000). It’s a pity that the cuts couldn’t have been distributed differently, so as to preserve the value of the track’s marquee event. Perhaps one of the other stakes worth $50,000 could have been cancelled, and other purses trimmed by $1000-$5000, and the savings applied to the Derby?
- Who is Indian Charlie and why is he such a dink?
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At last observation there were at least three little coyotes with parent. I have tried to take a photo but, so far, have missed them.
Two nut cases from the marquee tent area actually ran out to that pond and jumped in a few weeks back. Someone should have told them about all the geese droppings in that body of water.
— Jumron · Jun 21, 04:00 PM · #