Hastings unners head to Edmonton for 96th Canadian Derby

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While there is no racing at Hastings until next Monday, when there will be more than $200,000 up for grabs on an evening card of Stakes contests, there will be plenty of local horses in action this weekend, as a strong team heads to Edmonton’s Century Mile track for the 96th Canadian Derby.

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However, while Hastings’ raiders have overachieved in Edmonton of late, winning four of the last six Canadian Derbies as well as a host of the valuable supporting races, the journey is not without its challenges. At under 700 metres, Edmonton isn’t high enough to be considered at “altitude” but, with Hastings at pretty much sea level, it does have to be factored into the battle plan.

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“We go 72 hours before the race,” said trainer Keith Pedersen. “The way I’ve been taught is that you either go three days before, or three weeks before to allow the horses to acclimatize fully.”

Pedersen takes Counter Cat for the $200,000 Canadian Derby. The three-year-old gelding will be joined in the van by $100,000 Century Casino Oaks contender I’m In Control, as well as the speedy mare Air Force, who is among the favourites for the $75,000 Northlands Distaff.

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Air Force was runner-up in the Century Casino Oaks two seasons ago and is a road-trip veteran, while the other two are making the journey for the first time.

“No, they’ve never travelled but I don’t think there’ll be a problem with them,” Pedersen revealed. “They’ve got their quirks, but they’re sensible enough. Air Force can get a little keen but she’s used to it.”

As for their chances, well, Pedersen is not underestimating the opposition but is hopeful of a bold showing from all three.

He said: “They all have to have their ‘A’ game but, if they show up, they’ll be right there. There’s lots of things that they have to get over. It’s a different surface, a bigger track. The crowd’s huge. And then the starting gate’s right in front of the crowd. So, it’s something they will have to deal with.”

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Century Mile is expecting a sellout crowd again for the Canadian Derby, which comes just a week after a record day of betting at Emerald Downs on Longacres Mile Day, leading to some exasperation from Hastings’ horsemen coming to grips with the news that Fraser Downs has locked its gates, ending Standardbred racing on the Surrey site it has occupied for almost 50 years.

“When something like that, as big as that, gets torn down, it makes you think, for sure,” Pedersen said. “It weighs on everybody’s minds.” Standardbred trainer Rod Therres has spent the week trying to come to terms with the shocking announcement, while also rallying colleagues to fight back against the City of Surrey’s decision to shutter the facility with immediate effect.

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Therres said: “I’m all right but a little stressed. I have about 14 different plans going on in my head right now.” Therres, who was born and raised in Surrey and has been going to the track since it opened, took to the streets with his poster-plastered horse trailer this week, touring the Cloverdale area to raise support in a bid to save the track and the many jobs that its closure will cause.

“My mother, who is currently in hospital but who has been around the racetrack for a lot of her life, told my sister she just wants to die. It’s been that big of a shock to us,” Therres, who celebrated training his 1,000th winner last year, admitted.

Hastings Selections

Monday, Aug. 25. First post 7 p.m. Race 3. What a Force, a sister to the multiple stakes-winning mare Air Force, has been working well. She can make a winning debut as she looks to emulate her sibling’s outstanding career.

Race 5. Diocles endured a rough passage and traffic congestion last time and this looks like the perfect opportunity for the dual Stakes winner to get back to winning ways.

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