Hoss Talk

   If you think horse racing is dying in this Province, put away the shovel, there's still lots of life in it.
   Lets bring you up to date.
   Nine months ago, the Ontario Jockey Club announced a plan to buy Hastings Park.

   ``We (OJC) made a presentation to the British Columbia Racing Commission a few weeks ago. And obviously the upcoming election has slowed down the activity in Victoria, so we may not get much further with that until after the election.'' said the OJC's Dave Gorman.

   But, when it comes to horse racing, people don't give a hoot who builds a track, they just want someone to go and do it.

   ``The BC Racing Commission has been approached by other individuals orally with regards to operating horse racing in this province,''  said Joe Horton of the BCRC.

   Also hoping to become involved is WonderWorld Entertainment Corporation, whose director of gaming is former PRA general manager  Bob Stirskey.

   ``Wonderworld is associated with WonderWorks Entertainment which is  involved in the movie and theme park business in California. Among   properties, they own are hotels in Japan with huge slot machine  licences. They are a well funded organization who want to get into  gaming,'' said Stirskey.

   ``We have $10 million dollars to spend and would like to start by  paying off the debt of Hastings Park and purchasing.''

   THE VOICE: For 43 years, the late Jack Short was among the best  race callers in thoroughbred racing.

   And he cared for the jockeys. I remember after riding on a sloppy  miserable track, Mr. Short, asking the crowd. ``How about a hand for  these brave jockeys, who rode their hearts out on this terrible  evening.''

   Monday at the the 33rd Annual Banquet of Champions at the Vancouver  Convention Center he will be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of  Fame & Museum. Call 738-8600.

Wolski can be reached at www.sportofkingstv.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com