BC Notebook: Hastings Backstretch Open, 'Love' Wins

BC-bred LOVEABOVEANDBEYOND got the hearts and flowers flying a day ahead of Valentine’s Day when she landed an optional claimer at Turf Paradise on Thursday, February 13. The daughter of Counterforce, now trained by Marvin Buffalo since being claimed out of Assiniboia last July, has four wins from four starts at “Turf” this season.

Bred by CTHS director Ralph Jesiak, Loveaboveandbeyond won the BC Cup Debutante Stakes in 2022 for trainer Mark Cloutier before following up in her division of the CTHS Sales Stakes later the same month. Last week’s victory was her eighth win from 30 starts. Loveaboveandbeyond is another durable performer out of the Tejabo mare, INTERROGAR (also bred by Jesiak) and is consequently a half-sister to the likes of 13 time winner, ASSETS INCLUDED (Rosberg). Interrogar was out of the Ontario-bred ALWAYS A STAR (Sunny’s Halo), a Maiden Special Weight winner at Hastings for Peter Redekop when it was Exhibition Park and who also finished third in the Cinderella Stakes.

Scroll to continue with content

Here’s the latest on the reopening of Hastings Racecourse & Casino from Ryan McCartney:

“It looks like it will be warming up starting on Saturday.

Horses will be welcome to arrive on site after 7am on Saturday, February 15th. We will do our best to get water turned on in barns as they become occupied. We thank you for your patience in advance.

We are hoping the track will be ready to commence training by Tuesday, February 18th. At this moment, the date is TENTATIVE. We will not open the track if we believe it to be dangerous. I am sure we are all on the same page when it comes to keeping our horses and humans safe.

Opening day of the Hastings meeting is set for May 3.

As many of you will have seen, a Government-backed online survey, which is part of a wider economic impact study into horse racing in British Columbia, is currently doing the rounds.

This survey, a response by the provincial Government to the HBPA’s ongoing discussions aimed at securing a long-term future for our industry, has so far been sent to a random selection of licensed owners, trainers and breeders.

However, no registered owner, trainer or breeder is precluded from participating in the survey and interested parties can easily obtain a link from HBPA director, Gary Johnson, via his email – garycj5460@outlook.com

Please note that the survey link WILL NOT WORK if merely forwarded to someone. You must obtain a specific link from Gary. Simply drop him a line, telling him whether you are an owner, trainer or breeder, and Gary will ping you a survey link back.

Please complete this survey as soon as possible. It is important for our future.

Anyone not registered as an owner, trainer or breeder in BC, but who is involved in the industry in any position, will also have an opportunity to contribute when Mustel, the group administering the survey on behalf of the provincial Government, begins a series of in-person surveys on the backstretch once everyone is returned to Hastings for the new season.”