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Barn notes for the week of June 20, 2005
In what turned out to be the final race of the meet Knight's Covenant posted a $52.80 upset in the 75th running of the Alberta Derby in a driving rainstorm on Saturday afternoon. The victory in the $125,000 scaleweight stakes, the highlight race of what would end up as a 45-day meeting, provided a $78,750 payday for Fort McMurray owner Robert Vargo in the richest thoroughbred race in Stampede Park history.
The previous weekend shippers from Vancouver carted off the spoils as Gold Accent captured the 32nd running of the Duchess of York under Rickey Walcott, giving Hastings Park trainer Dave Forster his third stakes victory at this stand and Five Point Star tallied in the 43rd running of the Herald Gold Plate under a heady ride from Pedro Alvarado for west coast trainer Dino Condilenios.
The money stayed home in rain soaked Alberta on Saturday as locals Knight's Covenant and Blackjack Willy finished a neck apart in the mile and a sixteenth Derby contested in a driving rainstorm. B.C. invader Tommy's Topper was third and Manitoba shipper Prime Time T. V. was fourth but the major spoils went to the one-two finishers who provided and exciting finish in a race contested under very difficult conditions. The course was rated as sloppy throughout the card as the torrential downpour made for cold and miserable conditions but it could not dampen the spirits of elated trainer Monica Russell and rider Desmond Bryan.
Knight's Covenant, who just broke his maiden on June 1st, was lightly regarded in the field of seven sophomores but was a very game winner - leading every jump of the way after breaking alertly from post five for Bryan. It was the second straight upset Derby win for Bryan who scored in similar wire to wire fashion last year with $83.70 winner Fly Esteem.
The sloppy conditions the front was definitely the place to be and Knight's Covenant won the dash to the first turn and grabbed the rail, a spot he never relinquished despite challenges from Dakota Duke and Prime Time T. V. in the early going. The chestnut colt acted up at the gate in his June 1st race and Russell subsequently schooled the son of Ascot Knight in order to get his name removed from the bad actor's list compiled by starter Cliff Sletten. He was loaded first and behaved professionally on Saturday and Bryan supplied the rest of the successful recipe with a well judged ride. He was able to open up a length and a half advantage at the eighth pole after repulsing Dakota Duke and Prime Time T. V. and said " my horse is a little crazy sometimes but he's very game. He really dug in at the quarter pole when they came at us."
The real challenge came in deep stretch after Perry Winters, who was pinned along the inside throughout after breaking Blackjack Willy from post one, finally found some running room in the upper stretch after swinging three wide. Knight's Covenant was tiring and Bryan went to work with strong left handed encouragement to prevail by a neck. The winner completed the mile and a sixteenth in 1:48.40.
Sunday's card was cancelled after the Elbow River overflowed and flooded the paddock, jockey's quarters and portions of the grandstand. The backstretch was put on evacuation alert throughout Saturday night but narrowly escaped disaster as the flood waters did not reach the barn area. The cancellation left rider Quincy Welch as the runaway riding champion with 83 wins and his mounts earned $992,436 - both records for this spring meeting. Rickey Walcott was a distant second with 45 tallies. The three-way trainer's race went to Greg Tracy who won his 21st on Saturday with Light of Gold. Ron Grieves and Dale Greenwood finished up with 20 victories apiece
Barn notes for the week of June 6, 2005
Trainer Dave Forster, who invaded and escaped with all the loot three weeks ago, is expected back from his Hastings Park base with runners for both the Herald and the Duchess of York on Saturday. Forster nominated both Teeworth winner Blowin in the Wind and Treasured Friend to the Herald and his pair of 4-year-old fillies - Gold Accent and Socorro County - are among seven nominees to the $50,000 Duchess of York. The draw for that allowance stakes at a mile and a sixteenth goes Thursday morning and a much shorter field can be expected.
If the weatherman is correct, and his forecast of heavy rain this past weekend was right on the money, the shippers for Sunday's 43rd running of the Herald Gold Plate had better bring along some mud gear. No less than six Vancouver-based runners are nominated to the meet's top offering for older runners and a strong cast is assured for the mile and a sixteenth test. The remaining ten nominees to the $50,000 allowance stakes come from our local contingent and with rain forecast throughout the week it will be a very interesting draw on Wednesday morning when entries close for the "Herald."
Predicting the condition of the racing surface 72 hours later is an inexact science but surely defending champion Bubblegum Kid will be in the mix come rain or shine. The 7-year-old gelding posted a 27 to 1 upset in last year's renewal over a course officially listed as fast but which was closer to good footing by the time the Herald ran that afternoon. Trainer Joan Petrowski is hoping lightning will strike twice but the field promises to be large and competitive this year.
Wednesday morning is also the deadline for nominations to the 75th Alberta Derby slated for Saturday, June 18th. Local runners expected to go are "Hoofprint" winner Dakota Duke, Forever Rascal, runnerup in that one-mile prep and Blackjack Willy who redeemed his poor performance in the Hoofprint with a tally in a one-mile allowance contested over a sloppy surface last Friday evening. The dark bay gelding, who was rank throughout the running of the "Hoofprint," behaved like a pro for rider Perry Winters this time around. Trainer Rick Hedge added a tongue tie, changed bits and got the desired result.
Winnipeg-based Prime Time T V is expected to ship over from Assiniboia Downs after his score in a sprint stakes last Saturday and the west coast invasion is expected to continue as trainers Harold Barroby and Lance Giesbrecht, who began their conditioning careers on this circuit, have been in contact with racing secretary Barry McGrath with regards to shipping for the Derby from their Hastings Park headquarters.
It has been awhile since a filly has tested the boys in the Alberta Derby but Kathern's Cat, a runaway winner of the Lilac on May 29th, could test the waters. Trainer Stu Simon’s has another option as nominations to the Penny Ridge, an allowance stakes for 3-year-old fillies on closing day June 19th, are due on Wednesday morning as well.
Barn notes for the week of May 30, 2005
It could have been dubbed "Welch Weekend" as leading rider Quincy Welch dominated the scene at Stampede Park last weekend. The Welch Express actually began to roll last Wednesday with a four-win evening followed by just a single score on Friday night. On Saturday it was all systems go with victories in the second (Sundown Meg), fourth (This Cat Can), seventh (Catalone), eighth (Dakota Duke), and ninth (Xari).
The tally aboard Dakota Duke in the 14th running of the $50,000 Hoofprint on My Heart was significant in several aspects. It was his 65th of this spring session and tied the mark he established here last year. It was the 19th win for trainer Greg Tracy and allowed him to maintain his slim margin over Ron Grieves who sent out Xari in the nightcap for his 18th score. Quincy established the new mark of 66 wins aboard Xari with 13 racing days left on the calendar.
Most importantly Dakota Duke stamped himself as the local favorite for the 75th running of the Alberta Derby slated for June 18th. In the one-mile "Hoofprint" - the major stakes prep for the $125,000 scaleweight stakes - the Florida-bred colt demolished four rivals with a powerful performance. Welch had the son of Stormy Atlantic in second spot in the run down the backstretch and just cruised by the early leader Itsaninetyniner nearing the quarter pole. " I never really asked him and he made the lead under a hold," stated Welch who took a look back at the head of the stretch, put his whip away and had Dakota Duke eased up at the wire. Dakota Duke finished five lengths in front of Forever Rascal who closed from last and was in turn five lengths in front of the favorite Blackjack Willy who drifted on the turns and was rank throughout the one-mile handicap stakes. For Dakota Duke, who completed the mile in 1:37.40 and could have gone much faster if called upon - the Hoofprint tally was most impressive but the connections of his four rivals were left scratching their heads. Forever Rascal did put in a mild bid but was under strong urging from rider Real Simard and was never a threat to the winner. Blackjack Willy refused to settle for rider Perry Winters and ran greenly throughout the affair while drifting on both the clubhouse turn and entering the final turn. Pipe in Spector and Itsaninetyniner were beaten 17 and 22 lengths respectively with no excuses to offer.
The phone lines from Vancouver and Toronto will be busy as the Hoofprint result is sure to attract the attention of shippers. Nominations to the Alberta Derby close at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 8th.
Welch went on to capture his third straight "fifty grander" (he won the Ken Pearson Memorial on Victoria Day aboard shipper Summer Symphony) with Kathern's Cat in Sunday's featured Lilac handicap stakes for 3-year-old fillies. The trip was virtual replay of Dakota Duke's romp as Welch positioned the chesnut filly in second spot behind Speedy Gone Sally, engaged that one at the quarter pole and drew off to a 4 1/4 length triumph. Speedy Gone Sally held on for second with Wild Bender 1 3/4 lengths back in third. Favored R Lucinda broke poorly and was never in contention in closing from last in the field of seven to run fourth. Trainer Stu Simons saddled both the winner and R Lucinda and will now eye the Penny Ridge three weeks hence on closing day Sunday, June 19th.
Barn notes for the week of May 24, 2005
Trainer Dave Forster, who got his his first taste of thoroughbred racing while a youngster growing up near Northlands Park in Edmonton, made a triumphant return to Alberta on the Holiday weekend. Forster, a stalwart on the Vancouver racing scene for decades, struck first with his own Blowin in the Wind in Saturday's 55th running of the Teeworth Plate and returned 48 hours later with Janis Whitham's Summer Symphony in the 23rd running of the Ken Pearson Memorial on the Victoria Day holiday program.
Forster employed two different riders with two sets of strategy and came up with a winning formula in both instances. In Saturday's one-mile Teeworth which drew a field of seven older colts and geldings Forster gave a leg up to Vancouver-based jockey Robert Skelly who quipped following the race that the luck of the Irish held true after he found running room along the rail at the top of the turn for home. By contrast Quincy Welch aboard Rindanica was by that time committed to a three-wide move, which saw him briefly take the lead at the eighth pole. Skelly, a native of Ireland who has now won three straight stakes for owner-trainer Forster aboard Blowin in the Wind, saved valuable ground with his inside move and flew by the tiring pacesetters Deputy Country and Chief Mtn who set the table nicely with rapid early fractions of 46.20 and 1:10.80. Blowin in the Wind completed the mile in 1:36.20 under just a couple of right-handed taps from Skelly while the hard-luck Rindanica was 2 3/4 lengths back in yet another runner up finish for the 5-year-old who now has seven seconds in his past nine outings.
On Monday afternoon it was Welch 's turn to pilot one of Forster's invaders and Quincy made no mistakes aboard the 4-year-old daughter of Summer Squall who relaxed nicely in fourth spot in the early going of the "Pearson" which drew just five older fillies and mares. Welch said his mount was gawking around at her new surroundings but "settled down and ran hard for me once I asked her in the run down the backstretch." Summer Squall went around the leaders with a three-wide move approaching the quarter pole and was a very handy 2 ˝ length winner with Welch easing her up in the closing strides. The chestnut filly completed the mile in 1:38.00 and earned $31,500 - the exact amount banked by her stablemate 48 hours earlier. A Shaky Start was boxed in along the backstretch and when rider Leanne Painter came out around the tiring pacesetter Stole One she bumped Unforgettable Two in upper stretch resulting in her disqualification from second to third.
This coming weekend features 3-year-olds in a pair of important stakes. On Saturday the one-mile Hoofprint on My Heart, the major stakes prep to the $125,000 Alberta Derby, is expected to include President's winner Golden Hunt and his promising stablemate Dakota Duke from leading trainer Greg Tracy's barn. Blackjack Willy, a closing second in the six-furlong President's and Forever Rascal, an impressive allowance winner in his 2005 debut, are others among the ten nominees expected to attract support.
Sunday's feature is the one-mile Lilac which drew 13 nominees from the 3-year-old fillies division with Mount Royal winner Rumbeau Ruckus expected to face the likes of R Lucinda and Speedy Gone Sally - both of whom started in the six-furlong Mount Royal without benefit of a prep race and should much tougher this time around.
Barn notes for the week of May 15, 2005
There was no lack of excitement last weekend despite the one-week gap in the stakes schedule as the 47-day meeting shot by the halfway mark. Sixthirtyjoe captured Saturday's featured allowance race in the easiest of fashions - sitting patienty in third spot under Rickey Walcott and drawing off under a hand ride to score his 17th career victory for trainer Deanne Davies. The 7-year-old gelding has spent his entire career under Davies' tutelage and is nearing the $500,000 mark in earnings. Davies bred, raised and has trained the bay gelding whose only mistake was being born in the same year as now-retired Fancy As. His bankroll would be considerably higher Stampede Park Sprint Championship winner Chief Mtn will be asked to stretch out to a mile in the Teeworth after capturing the "Sprint" in 1:10.00 and will once again face a stiff challenge from Rindanica who closed resolutely in the "Sprint" in his seasonal debut only to fall three quarters of a length shy at the wire. Blowin in the Wind, winner of the George Royal handicap stakes at Hastings Park on April 16th, is expected to ship in for the 55th running of the Teeworth. The versatile 6-year-old gelding bested Trainer Red Smith, off to an unusually slow start to the campaign after winning the training title here last spring, is expected to send out both 2004 horse of the year Deputy Country and Kat Kool, a double stakes winner last year, in search of the shedrow's first stakes tally of 2005. Deputy Country lost all chance after breaking tardily in the "Sprint" and Kat Kool raced evenly in the same race in his seasonal debut. It is expected that both runners will be more of a factor going the additional two furlongs in the Teeworth. The Victoria Day holiday card on Monday features the 23rd running of the Ken Pearson Memorial and Vancouver based trainer Dave Forster is expected to start at least one of the three fillies he has nominated to the one-mile contest. Quincy Welch has opted to ride first call on Summer Symphony with a second call going to Socorro County. Gold Accent is the third of Forster's nominees who can expect to face Moiunt Royal winner Stole One, Unforgettable Two - runnerup in that event and beaten favorite A Shaky Start who turned in a bullet work here last weekend as she readies to atone for her defeat in the six-furlong Mount Royal. Mike Fretz will be out of action for awhile after being unseated and injuring his shoulder in one of two spills last Saturday. Veteran Ron Blinston was not as seriously hurt later in the program but booked off on Sunday and is not expected back until next weekend. Both riders fell heavily after their mounts clipped heels while in tight quarters.
Barn notes for the week of May 9, 2005
Sophomores held the spotlight here as well as in Kentucky over the weekend as the spring meeting approached the halfway mark. The two stakes at this venue did not include any improbable upsets such as the one fashioned by Giacomo in the 131st Kentucky Derby but did provide some insight into upcoming stakes action for both sexes in the 3-year-old division.
Golden Hunt, a Florida-bred son of Gold Alert described by rider Real Simard as "one of the quickest I've ever ridden," was away alertly from post seven in the 37th running of the President's Stakes on Saturday and made every pole a winning one - setting rapid fractions of 22.00 and 44.80and holding Blackjack Willy safe by a length at the wire in completing the six furlongs in 1:10.40. His stablemate Dakota Duke was a closing third under Quincy Welch and appears a likely candidate to run farther in the one-mile Hoofprint on My Heart slated for May 28th. The handicap stakes is the final major prep for the $125,000 Alberta Derby on June 18th – the penultimate day of this 47-day meeting.
Blackjack Willy, who failed to switch leads in the stretch run, will point towards the "Hoofprint" as well and was an easy second in the President's finishing full of run at the wire. The victory was the third of the day for Simard who was aboard another promising sophomore in allowance winner Forever Rascal in the day's second race. The chestnut gelding, a stakes winner last year, was making his first start for trainer Kelly Robinson and impressed with a late run giving his connections - the Lomar Stables of Gordon Wilson - some Derby thoughts as well. Trainer Tim Rycroft saddled his first stakes winner on Sunday in sending out Rumbeau Ruckus to score in the 32nd running of the Mount Royal under a very patient ride from Rickey Walcott. The Saskatchewan-bred lass defeated six other 3-year-old fillies in sprinting six furlongs in 1:11.40 and benefited from a heady ride from Walcott. Walcott saved ground on the inside in the run down the backstretch and swung four-wide turning for home to run down R Lucinda in deep stretch. Invaders Monashee and Kathern's Cat finished sixth and seventh respectively leaving the upcoming one-mile Lilac handicap stakes on May 29th with the look of a very wide-open race.
Barn notes for the week of May 2, 2005 Dany Dion's Chief Mtn captured the 28th running of the Stampede Park Sprint Championship last Saturday under a well-judged ride from Frank Gonsalves. The six-furlong handicap stakes took on a new look as soon as the gate opened when Deputy Country, the 2004 horse of the year on this circuit, broke a step behind the field. His tardy departure left Gonsalves lapped on Fly Esteem through a quick half of 45.40 and clear sailing once that rival weakened on the final turn. Gonsalves was able to open up a clear advantage a furlong out and held Rindanica safe by three-quarters of a length at the wire. Deputy Country was expected to contest the early pace but that plan was scrapped and he faded to sixth after rushing into contention in the run along the backstretch. Chief Mtn completed the six panels in 1:10.00, the quickest clocking of the meet to date and was full value for the victory. His winter campaign at Turf Paradise undoubtedly left him as the fittest runner in the field of seven and must now turn his sights toward the one-mile Teeworth Plate slated for Saturday, May 21st. The rematch with Rindanica is eagerly anticipated as that runner competed in the "Sprint" without benefit of a prep and was very game in defeat. Deputy Country will be back for another try as well and will be looking for a better trip than he endured in the "Sprint". The following afternoon Stole One, an invader from Hastinps Park, lived up to her name with a front-running tally in the M.R. Jenkins Memorial. Breaking alertly under Vancouver rider Chris Loseth, the 4-year-old filly repusled a challenge from Gonsalves aboard Unforgettable Two a furlong out and was a two-length winner in 1:10.40. Loseth, who turned fifty this year, has long been one of the best riders in western Canada and his persistent right-handed encouragement re-rallied the Kentucky-bred lass in the stratch drive. A Shaky Start failed to fire this day and was a non-threatening fourth as the even-money favorite. Next up for this division is the one-mile Ken Pearson Memorial slated for the Victoria Day holiday card on May 23rd. Loseth will fly back this coming weekend to partner Notis Otis in the President's Stakes on Saturday. The handicap stakes for 3-year-olds is the first step on the trail to the Alberta Derby and Notis Otis, voted champion juvenile colt in British Columbia last year, may well be favored in this spot. The six-furlong sprint drew 15 nominees and a full field is expected. Next Sunday the six-furlong Mount Royal handicap stakes for 3-year-old fillies is expected to produce a strong lineup from among ten nominees. Loseth is expected to pilot Hastings Park invader Monashee, Gonsalves has a slip in to ride Miss Venturous, champion of her division here last year who has trained at Woodbine this spring and Quincy Welch has first call on Kathern's Kat, a stakes winner last fall at Northlands Park who was claimed for $75,000 by local connections out of a one-mile race at Gulfstream Park on March 9th. Barn notes for the week of April 25, 2005 The past weekend may have been without stakes competition but there was plenty of action on the course and at paddock judge Brian Leavitt's claim box situated next to the saddling enclosure. Dany Dion's Bear Stables Ltd. got the ball rolling last Wednesday by haltering Captain Creek from Bar None Ranches for $22,000. Dion and trainer Dale Greenwood previously set an Alberta record by grabbing Rum Candi for $40,000 on opening weekend and received an immediate return when the 7-year-old mare won next out. Rum Candi is one of seven older fillies and mares nominated to the May 1st M.R. Jenkins Memorial and will have to deal with Sales Stakes winner A Shaky Start and two-time allowance winner Unforgettable Two in that $50,000 handicap stakes run over six furlongs. Bar None Ranches wasted little time in spending some of that money as trainer Ron Grieves dropped for Jadebequick later in the midweek card with a $17,500 price tag attached. On Friday evening Bar None was first to strike, tagging Xari for $7,000 out of the first race. Carla Rycroft went for Stormy Side at $12,000 on behalf of Frank Bodell one race later and may have found a gem in the rough as the 3-year-old gelding graduated from the maiden ranks in style. The gloves really came off on Saturday with Rob Chabot taking War Calnedar for $7,000 on behalf of Sycamore Stables in the opener. Sycamore Stables and Excel Farms enlisted trainer Floyd Arthur to drop for Sweet Drummer in the fifth at a hefty tag of $30,000. The claiming fever ran rampant a race later and when the dust settled three runners from the $17,500 claimer went to new barns - Spuraway to Dale Saunders' shedrow, I Love Chocolate to Deanna Walper's barn and Silver Sky to 1st year trainer Dean Martiniuk's alley. On Sunday Smoking Bear went to Greenwood and Dion for $22,000 and Wildly Ruth switched over to Pam McDougall's barn out of the same race. It was not too long ago when such high priced claims were a rarity but the increase in purses and the presence of big outfits such as Bear Stables Ltd. and Bar None Ranches has changed the claiming picture dramatically. Saturday's $50,000 Satmpede Park Sprint Championship is shaping up as a strong renewal with a cast of stakes winners including Chief Mtn, Deputy Country, Fancy As, Fly Esteem, Kat Kool and Rindanica set to do battle in the six furlong fixture. The anticipated lineup is the strongest in many years and should provide the best race of the young campaign.
Barn notes for the week of April 17, 2005 A Shaky Start toted highweight of 124 pounds in the older fillies and mares Sales Stakes last Saturday and made it look easy in winning the $50,000 handicap under a hand ride from Leanne Painter. Painter held the 5-year-old mare in reserve during the early stages of the six-furlong dash and swept to the lead on the final turn with a bold four-wide move. The final margin was a length and three quarters with Painter never once uncocking the whip. The day got better for her connections - owners Gary and Janet Kropp and Al Strumecki who also conditions the bay daughter of Brass Minister - at the awards banquet that evening. A Shaky Start was named champion older mare and top Alberta-bred to cap off the day. Deputy Country did not fare as well in his seasonal debut and was beaten three lengths in an allowance sprint by the winter raced Chief Mtn who posted the meet's fastest time of 1:10.20 under Quincy Welch. Deputy Country was unable to fend off Chief Mtn in the final furlong but will get a rematch in the April 30th Stampede Park Sprint Championship. The day got better for owner Arnold Heppner and trainer Red Smith as Deputy Country carted off three trophies at the Night of Champions. He received the nod as top sprinter, best older horse and the coveted horse of the year trophy. Poor Iggy was named champion 2-year-old colt and Miss Venturous captured the juvenile filly award. Delta Epsilon was voted top claimer claimer and Shy Lil was acclaimed champion 3-year-old filly. Controlled Meeting won a three-way photo - garnering 35 points to 33 for Kat Kool and 27 for Royalty Boy - in a tight ballot for champion 3-year-old colt. His game second to Ontario invader in the Canadian Derby was probably the effort which allowed him to narrowly decision his two rivals in the closest vote in this category in decades. The older colts and geldings Sales Stakes went to 9-year-old Code Name Fred who benefited the quick fractions set by the leading threesome of Boldanzar, Dance Me Free and Tyko Tycoon and a ground saving ride from Frank Gonsalves. Breaking from outside post in the field of nine, Code Name Fred was taken back by Gonsalves and saved valuable real estate during the early going. His rider found a seam turning for home and the chestnut gelding flew between horses for a length and a quarter tally. Tyko Tycoon did not pull up soundly after failing to switch leads in the stretch. The misfortune made it a bittersweet weekend for trainer Red Smith who watched his classy 7-year-old Fancy As capture an allowance prep for the upcoming "Sprint" with an eye catching rally under Real Simard on Sunday afternoon. The former horse of the year failed to win last year after undergoing a pair of operation for intestinal problems but delivered a superb performance on Sunday after encountering traffic problems. His presence in the "Sprint" will undoubtedly add some lustre to what was already shaping up as a very strong field. Barn notes for the week of April 4, 2005
When Quincy Welch opened the campaign with a hat-trick on opening night it was apparent that his defense of the 2004 spring riding title had begun in earnest and the next two days of action only served to reinforce the point. Quincy bagged a pair on Saturday and then went on a rampage on Sunday afternoon in racking up five more wins. His log after three days of the 47-day stand stood at 10-4-5 from 26 mounts and the mark of 65 wins he posted last spring is certainly in danger of being eclipsed as Welch is riding with renewed vigor and confidence.
His main rival from the 2004 spring session was Rickey Walcott who posted 50 wins here in the 2004 meet but Walcott is late in arriving from his home base in Barbados and Welch has sprinted away to an imposing lead after just one weekend of action. Walcott is expected to arrive shortly but was not named on horses for Friday's card and each racing day that is lost will further enhance Welch's chances to repeat as champion.
Newcomer Frank Gonsalves impressed onlookers with his riding ability, winning three races in his first two days on this circuit prior to flying back to Sunland Park in New Mexico to ride in a rich futurity in which his mount went unplaced last Sunday. The veteran Gonsalves won the first race of the year aboard Tyabering for trainer Greg Tracy, which proved a portent of things to come on the weekend. On Saturday Gonsalves guided Smudgeledo to a 7 1/2 length maiden romp and returned later in the card to post a 6 to 1 upset score aboard Unforgettable Too in the featured eighth race for older fillies and mares. Both scores came for Tracy who ended up winning five races from nine starters on the weekend to claim an early lead in the trainer's standings. Unforgettable Too defeated some nice mares including Rum Candi who was haltered out the optional claimer for an Alberta record $40,000 by trainer Dale Greenwood on behalf of owner Danny Dion. Greenwood had to win a "shake" to take Rum Candi to her new home as two claims were entered for the dark bay mare from Red Smith's shedrow. Rum Candi was a well beaten sixth but was pinned along the rail in the early going and never found her best stride.
Inside posts in "half-milers" can pose a problem in the run out of the chute and the weekend produced more than its share of winners from outside post positions including Unforgettable Too who broke from the extreme outside in the field of seven and rallied in the lane under Gonsalves after contesting the lead while three wide. The half-milers continue through this coming weekend and six furlong racing returns on our first Wednesday of action on April 13th.
Nominations to the pair of Sales Stakes slated for April 16th closed on Wednesday April 6th and you can access the noms to the pair of " $50 granders" on this website under the heading stakes nominations. A Shaky Start heads the distaff division, which received 10 noms and the colts and geldings race is expected to be a wide open affair with contention running deep amongst 16 nominees including such stakes winners as Code Name Fred, Dance Me Free and Tyko Tycoon.
Barn notes for the week of March 28, 2005
A quick glance at entries for opening night revealed some interesting facts about the riding colony as the 2005 thoroughbred season in this province is set to begin. Notable by his absence on the overnight sheet for day one of the 47-day spring stand is Rickey Walcott who dueled with Quincy Welch for riding honors here last spring before Welch pulled away in the closing weeks to capture the crown with 65 victories to 50 posted by Walcott. Ex-rider and agent Graham Niblett won a riding title here two decades ago and knows full well the importance of a good start to any meet. "Nibby" has handled Walcott's book the past several seasons and is anxiously awaiting the return of the talented reinsman from his winter base in Barbados. In the meantime he was able to obtain calls for Sean Evans who is returning off a leg injury suffered here last spring, which curtailed the remainder of his year. Evans was here early with a lean and hungry look after missing most of 2004 and has worked very hard to regain his customer base.
Two new faces dot the jockey's room with veteran Frank Gonsalves trying the Alberta circuit for the first time. A former stalwart at Longacres in Seattle, Gonsalves spent the winter riding in New Mexico and arrives at the behest of trainer Greg Tracy. Veteran agent John Heath has his book as well as that of Stephan Heiler who is back following aa abbreviated retirement.
Mike Fretz is another new face and will be handled by Marcel Crowe, a popular trainer on this circuit for many years before taking out his agent's license. Crowe has plied his trade in Winnipeg for the past few seasons but wants to try this more lucrative circuit. Crowe was instrumental in bringing Fretz here from his winter base at Turf Paradise in Phoenix and will also take calls for Leanne Painter who had 43 wins here last spring - good enough for a share of third place.
Agent Bob Fowlis was faced with a choice this spring - only two journeymen riders per agent - and stays with Welch and Shannon Beauregard who lost her apprentice allowance this year. Beauregard was a finalist on the ballot for a Sovereign award in the apprentice category last year. Fowlis did not take calls for opening night with a tender ankle still bothering her but Beauregard is expected back soon.
Cam Powley is another trainer turned agent and had success in his first year on the job with Real Simard and Ron Blinston who return to the fold for Powley this spring. Blinston was slowed by injury last spring but Simard enjoyed a stellar season and credits Powley with much of that success.
Ken Gilkyson retains a solid one-two punch with Perry Winters and Desmond Bryan and Ken Deines will handle Mike Iammarino whose season was cut short by injury last fall.
With the expected arrival of Walcott the riding colony appears to be in decent shape at this juncture but as any agent will tell you it is a long year in a very competitive business.
Barn notes for the week of March 14, 2005
The 75th running of the Alberta Derby will carry a $125,000 purse on June 18th - the penultimate day of the 47-day spring meet - following a decision reached by Horse Racing Alberta last week. The 25 per cent increase for the highlight of the spring session was also applied to ten other traditional spring stakes - bumping them from $40,000 to $50,000 -while the Herald Gold Plate remains a "fifty grander."
With the addition of the two $50,000 Sales Stakes slated for April 16th the stakes schedule totals 14 races and $775,000 compared to the $550,000 offered from 12 races last spring. The long awaited decision is a nice boost for the meet and allows racing secretary Barry McGrath to rush his revised stakes book to print. The stakes schedule kicks off on Saturday April 16th with the pair of six furlong sprints for 4-year-olds and up -one for colts and geldings and another for their distaff counterparts. The Night of Champions follows at 6:00 p.m. at the Round-up Centre on the grounds making for a very big day on the thoroughbred calendar. The annual awards banquet honors divisional champions of 2004 and several categories promise a close ballot. 2-year-old fillies - Miss Venturous, Speedy Gone Sally and R Lucinda battled each other on several occasions throughout the summer and fall and this vote figures to a most interesting one indeed. 2-year-old colts - Poor Iggy's victory in the $75,000 Canadian Juvenile was a clincher for this runner who also captured the Edmonton Juvenile.
3-year-old fillies - Take your pick from five nominees who took turns beating each other throughout the campaign. A case could be made for Ericka's, Kellys Guest, Shy Lil, View Halloo or Weekend Ceilidh in a wide-open affair. 3-year-old colts - This one provides much food for thought. Controlled Meeting won the Ky Alta and missed by a head to Ontario invader Organ Grinder in one of the very best stretch duels in the history on the Canadian Derby. Kat Kool accounted for the "Hoofprint" and Count Lathum and lost a photo to Controlled Meeting in the Ky Alta. Royalty Boy was the hero of the Manitoba Derby and capped his season with a last to first move in the Beaufort. Sprinter - Two words will suffice - Deputy Country.
4-year-old and up fillies and mares - Three words will suffice - A Shaky Start. 4-year-old and up colts and geldings - Deputy Country was the best sprinter on this circuit by lengths and will garner support in this division as well. Beau Brass came to the fore late with scores in the Speed to Spare and Alberta Breeders Stakes. The hard luck horse was Rindanica with a lone stakes tally to go with four second and a third in stakes company. With better trips in several of his losses the flashy chestnut would have made them all run for top honors in this division. Alberta-bred - A Shaky Start, Royalty Boy and Beau Brass head up a solid contingent.
Claimer - Most years a very contentious category and 2004 was no exception. Bonspiel, Brass Boots, Ciano Country, Delta Epsilon, James Logan, Sweet Creek and We Danced Anyway all have the credentials. This one is too close to call.
Horse of the Year - Must be a divisional winner and this vote could be split several ways - a most interesting wrap to the evening.
Barn notes for the week of March 7, 2005
The arrival of the clocker on March 1st was a signal for horsemen to intensify their preparations for the April 1st opening of the Alberta thoroughbred season at Stampede Park. Business was brisk and 39 runners showed up with qualified, three furlong workouts on day one of the clocker’s tab.
The unseasonably warm weather continued through the weekend and the backstretch was buzzing with activity with Saturday morning topping the work tab with 92 runners achieving qualified times. Of note was a bullet four furlong move of 49 flat by stakes winner Chief Mtn – a private purchase by trainer Dale Greenwood on behalf of client Danny Dion last summer.
Chief Mtn – bred and raised by Montana trainer Tom Murphy – is undoubtedly being pointed towards the Stampede Park Sprint Championship scheduled for April 30th. The six furlong “Sprint” has traditionally kicked off the stakes schedule at this Spring session, but this season a pair of Sales Stakes slated for Saturday, April 16th, has added some luster to the meet.
The doubleheader boosts the number of stakes to 14 from the usual 12 at this 47 day stand. Both races carry $50,000 guaranteed purses with A Shaky Start – a multiple stakes winning mare from Al Strumecki’s shedrow – the early favorite in the 4 year olds and up filles and mares division.
Dance Me Free, upset winner of the “Sprint” here last spring, is a strong contender in the 4 year olds and up colts and geldings division and worked three furlongs in 36.4 on Saturday morning. Both runners are on the ballot for divisional championships, which will be announced at the annual awards banquet on the evening of Saturday, April 16th. The entire day is a welcome addition to the spring session and should get the stakes schedule off to a rousing start.
Racing Secretary Barry McGrath has scheduled half-milers for the first two weekend of action encompassing six programs with Wednesday, April 6th a dark day. The 47 days of racing will be conducted on a four day per week schedule thereafter with 6:00 pm post times on Wednesdays and Fridays and 1:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The lone holiday card is on Victoria Day, Monday, May 23rd featuring the one mile Ken Pearson memorial for fillies and mares, 3 year olds and upward.
The arrival of the clock is also a signal for the riding colony to return from a winter hiatus. Real Simard, Stephan Heiler and apprentice Shannon Beauregard have been on hand for several weeks already. Simard tied for third with 43 wins here last spring and enjoyed a rejuvenated season in 2004 under new agent Cam Powley.
Heiler was seventh with 23 wins and announced his retirement on closing weekend last June but has returned to the wars. Heiler is determined to overcome the weight concerns, which lead to his decision and is a rider to watch this spring.
Beauregard really came into her own at the Northlands Park meeting and was a finalist in the Sovereign Awards ballot for leading apprentice in Canada.
Leanne Painter, regular rider for A Shaky Start, Perry Winters and Mike Iammarino, 3red, 6th and 9th respectively – at this meet last year, will be back as well. Ron Blinston, Sean Evans and Peter Wong suffered injuries at the 2004 meet but Blinston and Evans are set to go with Wong’ status uncertain at this point. Craig Faine and Richard Hamel are not returning.
The Barbados-Jamaica connection comprising of leading rider Quincy Welch, Rickey Walcott, Desmond Bryan, Christopher Fearon and Kenyatta Davis will invade shortly to boost the quality and quantity of the jockey colony. The annual March rumor mill whispers that Joel Campbell, currently seventh in the standings at Turf Paradise, is considering shipping his tack north. |