Aug 022015
 

Phil’s waiting for the day when one of Square Eddie’s progeny wins the Haskell.

 

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – American Pharoah geared down for effortless Haskell win

Bloodhorse – Angst – American Pharoah Takes Haskell With Ease

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – American Pharoah & everybody else

LA Times – Pedulla -Haskell Invitational is all American Pharoah as Triple Crown champ romps

NY Times – Drape – American Pharoah Wins Haskell Invitational


NY Times – Macur – In a Sport of Beautiful Animals, Ugliness Is Unavoidable


Bloodhorse – Records Fall on Haskell Day at Monmouth Park


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Is American Pharoah a Gateway Drug to Horse Racing? 


TwinSpires Blog – Pugh – American Pharoah: Leading a legacy of legends


Horse Race Insider – Pricci – American Pharoah, the Shore Thing


Southern Albertan Terry Hamilton’s Heart to Heart broke from the gate running and never looked back in Sunday’s $150,000 Oceanport Stakes GIIIT at Monmouth Park. Heart to Heart is a 4 year old English Channel colt out of the Silver Deputy mare Ask The Question bred in Ontario by Darrel Bauder’s Red Hawk Ranch.

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly –  Espinoza warms up for Pharoah with front-running win in Oceanport

Bloodhorse – Novak – Heart to Heart Wires Oceanport


NY Times – Bartolucci – American Pharoah Arrives in New Jersey

LA Times – Pedulla – American Pharoah returns to racing Sunday in Haskell


Don’t Stop Me Now


NY Times – Harm – Enter Sound Man: An Insider’s Look at Baseball’s Walk-Up Music


Wild Thing

If you didn’t know that one was coming you’re probably on the wrong site.


I don’t blame the players today for the money. I blame the owners. They started it. They wanna give it to ’em? More power to ’em.
Yogi Berra


 Old Crow is busy with meeting for the land and also Caribou and Fish. When meeting not many go to meeting it is good for them to listen what is going on.

Here are the News – Edith Josie May 2005


I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For


Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.

Robert W Service


Phil’s Vignette of Canadian History:

Nunavut Territory Established

Collections Canada Provinces and Territories – Nunavut


Insane In The Brain


He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don’t let that fool you. He really is an idiot.

Groucho Marx


Wildrose tourism critic Ron Orr said the artistically-rendered map “disregards aboriginal and Inuit status and disregards the status of Nunavut itself” and criticized the agency’s “bloated bureaucracy” for not catching the error before print.

Edmonton Sun – Dykstra – Travel Alberta apologizes for an advertisement featuring a map of Canada missing the border lines for Nunavut

Phil has a question.

Isn’t the Chair of Travel Alberta the same person as the Chair of Horse Racing Alberta, Rick LeLacheur.

Is the province of Alberta so devoid of management talent that one person has to be Chair of two boards that report to the provincial government.

Is geography just as difficult as math for the Tories and their cronies.

Phil has a suggestion:

Instead of wintering just outside Las Vegas and billing the Alberta taxpayers for flights back for Board meetings next year Rick LeLacheur should winter in Iqaluit.


Do you think you’re ethically entitled to severance pay?
Ed Broadbent


River Deep, Mountain High


Bloodhorse – Tonalist, Noble Bird Among Whitney Workers


Hawkmoon


One of the Ennead² was asking where the teletheatre in Lloydminster was as his family was venturing to a family function in the area and he wanted to know where he could watch the Haskell on Sunday afternoon. If you head over to Horse Racing Alberta’s website and click the link for Lloydminster you go to a page that no longer exists.

HRA - Simulcast Locations

However, with some digging on Northlands Park website and a very helpful thoroughbred owner from Lloydminster it was determined that the OTB in Lloydminster is at Central Suite Hotel aka Knight’s Inn Lloydminster 4820 50 Ave, Lloydminster, AB (780) 875 4404  www.centralsuite.com.

Northlands Park – Rural Off Track Sites

Northlands Park – Metro Off Track Sites

I count David Price’s number of Simulcast locations listed on Horse Racing Alberta’s website, yet Northlands Park shows more than that number and that’s not including the south Alberta Simulcast locations nor the ones that HRA took from Alberta Downs.

Phil has a question:

What does the Undertaker do.

Why are not all of the Simulcast locations in the province of Alberta on the Horse Racing Alberta website.

Why are some of the links to the Simulcast locations in the province of Alberta not working.

Are there any Simulcast locations in Nunavut.

How much revenue is lost every year when racing fans and bettors in Alberta can’t get information or get wrong information.


Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.
Walt Disney


TwinSpires Blog – Scully – American Pharoah appears invincible, multi-race wagers the focus on Haskell Day


ESPN – Finley – Making money on the Haskell

Phil has a question:

Is Finley talking wagering or gouging customers.


We Are Young


Bloodhorse – Angst – Monmouth, New Jersey Racing Enjoy Spotlight


Bloodhorse – Angst – Sharp American Pharoah Ready for Return

Bloodhorse – Angst – American Pharoah Wraps Up Haskell Preparation


Bloodhorse – After Anxious Moment, American Pharoah Cool


Walk Like an Egyptian


Bloodhorse – Hangin With Haskin – The Day the Haskell Came of Age


Because The Night


Bloodhorse – American Pharoah Arrives at Monmouth


Ramble On


NJ.com – Munson – Haskell 2015: Here’s when we’ll know just how great American Pharoah is


My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.
Muhammad Ali


NY Times – Barry – A Struggling City Renovates Its Golf Course, Envisioning More Green


NY Times – Drape – Racetracks Open Their Wallets in Attempt to Attract American Pharoah


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Johnson – American Pharoah at Monmouth: Everywhere’s packed – and the benefits don’t stop there


Every crowd has a silver lining.
P. T. Barnum


Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer


StrathmoreStampede-LogoBW.pngParticipants receive: A Running With the Bulls T-shirt, a free ticket to Saturday Night Cabaret, and the chance to win $1000 cash!

Running with the Bulls

July 31st – August 3rd 2015


The Lonely Bull


Trot Magazine – Kaplan – Standing Out

In case Kaplan hasn’t noticed, the thoroughbred handle at both Northlands Park from Edmonton and Hastings Race Course from Vancouver is up substantially in 2015. Doesn’t matter what colour lipstick you put on the jiggies the fans want the thoroughbreds first and foremost.

In Alberta the jiggies incessantly whined that their handle was lower than the thoroughbreds as they had to run in the off season. Well in 2015 they’re running the same spring and summer days at Century Downs as the thoroughbreds are running at Northlands Park and their handle is averaging about 1/4 of the thoroughbred handle despite the jiggie biased CCW and QKB at Horse Racing Alberta doing their utmost to ensure that the jiggies are accommodated to the detriment of the thoroughbred industry.

Friday at Century Downs the handle was $35,641 for 7 races. Friday at Northlands Park according to Equibase the handle was over $52,000 for the last race.  Somebody in the thoroughbred industry is doing something right despite the best efforts of the minions at HRA to thwart their efforts.

Just think how prosperous a thoroughbred industry we could have in Alberta if the CCW and QKB were replaced by leaders who’d give the thoroughbreds the consideration they should receive based on their contribution to the handle and the horse racing industry in this province.


The Outside Rail – Joe Clancy – Thank you: A little racing gratitude


The Inside Rail – Sean Clancy – Cup of Coffee: Brothers


So, the question becomes, if a bloated 50/50 draw can help attendance in a good CFL town like Edmonton, can it do the same in Hamilton or Toronto? What if a team added the first $50,000 to the pot? Would the increased ticket and concession sales offset that investment?

SportsNet – Spector – Eskimos 50/50 chaos could be CFL’s opportunity


Louisville Courier-Journal – Hall – Churchill has Calif. partner if I-gambling OK’d


Louisville Courier-Journal -Bevin says he wouldn’t stop slot-like horse game


All Day and All of The Night


Maker's Mark Plans Breeders' Cup Bottles

Let’s raise a glass.
And $1 Million for Charity.

Join Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® in our goal to raise $1 Million over the next three years to support a variety of deserving local and thoroughbred industry charities. Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark® have collaborated on a limited-edition, five-bottle collection featuring a few of the most legendary champions in Breeders’ Cup history. Each bottle pays tribute with a customized design and signature from each Champion’s connections.

This is an extremely limited offer, as only 500 bottles were made for each Champion. Don’t miss your chance to savor the memories of these past champions while helping the local community.

Through your donation you will be granted access to participate in the exclusive commemorative bottle auction which will take place at Keeneland on Thursday, October 29. This event will be the only opportunity to collect the first three bottles of the series. No reserve will be placed on the bottles up for auction.

Champions for Charity event tickets are required, click here to learn more.


TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – ‘Pharoah Phan Phestival’ offering all American Pharoah, all the time 


Bloodhorse – Angst – American Pharoah Will Dictate Race Schedule


ESPN – Duckworth – After the Triple Crown


Lady and the Track – Laughter – Haskell Field Versus American Pharoah: Who Will Win? 


Fort_Erie_Breakfast_Club


Sunshine Of Your Love


TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – Three-Year-Old Results Enhance American Pharoah’s Credentials


NY Times – Hoppert – Year After Heartbreak, Happiness in the Stable and the Cradle


 Breeders’ Cup Challenge

Date   Race   Name   Track   Division

Aug 2 William Hill Haskell Invitational Monmouth Park Classic
Aug 8 The Whitney Saratoga Classic
Aug 15 Beverly D. Stakes Arlington Park Filly & Mare Turf
Aug 15 Arlington Million Arlington Park Longines Turf
Aug 19 Juddmonte International Stakes York Longines Turf
Aug 20 Darley Yorkshire Oaks York Filly & Mare Turf
Aug 21 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes York Turf Sprint
Aug 22 Pat O’Brien Stakes Del Mar Dirt Mile
Aug 22 Del Mar Handicap Del Mar Longines Turf
Aug 22 TVG Pacific Classic Del Mar Classic
Aug 29 Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes Saratoga Longines Turf
Aug 29 Forego Handicap Saratoga Sprint
Aug 29 Ballerina Stakes Saratoga Filly & Mare Sprint
Aug 29 Personal Ensign H. Saratoga Longines Distaff

September
Sep 5 Spinaway Stakes Saratoga Juvenile Fillies
Sep 5 T. Von Zastrow Stutenpreis Baden Baden Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 5 Pocahontas Stakes Churchill Downs Juvenile Fillies
Sep 5 Iroquois Stakes Churchill Downs Sentient Jet Juvenile
Sep 6 Longines Grosser Preis Von Baden Baden Baden Longines Turf
Sep 12 The John Deere Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes Leopardstown Juvenile Turf
Sep 12 The Coolmore Stud Matron Stakes Leopardstown Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 12 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes Leopardstown Longines Turf
Sep 12 Natalma Stakes Woodbine Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 12 Summer Stakes Woodbine Juvenile Turf
Sep 13 Moyglare Stud Stakes The Curragh Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 13 Canadian Stakes Woodbine Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 13 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Woodbine Mile
Sep 25 Shadwell Rockfel Newmarket Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 26 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes Newmarket Juvenile Turf
Sep 26 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes Belmont Park Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 26 Vosburgh Invitational Stakes Belmont Park Sprint
Sep 26 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Belmont Park Longines Turf

October
Oct 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes Keeneland Sprint
Oct 2 Darley Alcibiades Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Fillies
Oct 3 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes Keeneland Mile
Oct 3 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes Keeneland Filly & Mare Sprint
Oct 3 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Keeneland Sentient Jet Juvenile
Oct 3 Frizette Stakes Belmont Park Juvenile Fillies
Oct 3 Foxwoods Champagne Stakes Belmont Park Sentient Jet Juvenile
Oct 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Belmont Park Classic
Oct 4 Total Prix Marcel Boussac Longchamp Juvenile Fillies Turf
Oct 4 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Longchamp Juvenile Turf
Oct 4 Longines Prix de L’Opera Longchamp Filly & Mare Turf
Oct 4 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Turf
Oct 4 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Keeneland Longines Distaff
Oct 8 J. P. Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Fillies Turf



NJ.com – Izenberg – Triple Crown 2015: Why Secretariat was the greatest ever

Secretariat


Bloodhorse – ABR Releases Another Digital Video Ad

I Believe In


Lady and the Track – Park – Haskell Invitational Features American Pharoah & Best Dressed Couple


Leather and Lace


ESPN – O’Neil -Bob Baffert: little downside to racing American Pharoah again


 

ASD - home
Entries for the 36th Running Of THE GRADUATION $25,000 Guaranteed

36th Running Of THE GRADUATION $25,000 Guaranteed
2-YEAR-OLDS  FIVE FURLONGS
TO BE RUN SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

P# PP Horse Virtual
Stable
A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1
1 Actions Speak (MB) 2/G L1 C Chow 120 D Schnell 8/1
2
2 Joe Dunk In (KY) 2/G L T Nelson 120 R Diodoro 7/2
3
3 Ozark Daredevil (AR) 2/G C Husbands 120 T Rycroft 2/1
4
4 Forty Proof (MB) 2/G L1 R Cumberbatch 120 D Schnell 10/1
5
5 Zack Man (KY) 2/C L A A Morales 120 E Martens 9/2
6
6 Copper Coins (FL) 2/G R Hughes 120 V Olito 20/1
7
7 Pecos (MN) 2/F L R R Singh 119 C E Smith 5/2
8
8 Nolan the Great (KY) 2/C L D Nelson 120 E Martens 6/1

Owners: 1 – Barry Arnason and True North; 2 – Rollingson Racing Stable and Tremblay, Norman; 3 – Riversedge Racing Stables, Ltd.; 4 – Sherisse Ziprick, Marcy Wright and Barry Arnason; 5 – Jerry Antoniuk; 6 – Ressa Harris; 7 – Terry Propps; 8 – Jerry Antoniuk

 

Entries for the 56th Running Of THE MANITOBA MILE  $25,000 Guaranteed

56th Running Of THE MANITOBA MILE  $25,000 Guaranteed
3-YEAR-OLDS & UPWARD ONE MILE
TO BE RUN SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1
1 Magic D’ Oro (KY) 5/H L C Chow 124 T Lindsay 7/5
2
2 Sconnie Nation (KY) 4/G L R R Singh 124 J Gourneau 6/1
3
3 Caporetto (KY) 6/H T Nelson 119 B Hrymak 10/1
4
4 Indy Awesome (FL) 5/G L A A Morales 124 C Brinson 7/2
5
5 Secretsatmidnight (FL) 5/R L C Husbands 119 R Diodoro 5/2

Owners: 1 – Martin Yeroschak and Barry Arnason; 2 – Henry S. Witt, Jr.; 3 – Brent Hrymak; 4 – Lothenbach Stables, Inc.; 5 – Ted Graling

Entries For the 67th Running Of  THE MANITOBA DERBY $75,000 Guaranteed

67th Running Of  THE MANITOBA DERBY $75,000 Guaranteed
** ENTRIES CLOSE WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 AT 9:30 A.M. **
3-YEAR-OLDS  ONE MILE AND ONE EIGHTH
TO BE RUN MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Flashy Jewel (KY) 3/C L A A Morales 122 C Brinson
2 Spider’s Alibi (TX) 3/C L R R Singh 122 C E Smith
3 Madd Edition (MB) 3/G L J Pruitt 122 S Brown
4 Impromptu (KY) 3/G L M Escobar 122 B B Rhone
5 Witt Six (TX) 3/G L C Chow 122 J Gourneau
6 Carouse (KY) 3/C L R Eikleberry 122 R Diodoro
7 Quiet Ry (KY) 3/G L C Husbands 122 C Brinson
8 Tactical Warrior (MB) 3/G L P Leacock 122 H Wallerstedt
9 Safecracker (MB) 3/G L R Cumberbatch 122 T Lindsay

Owners: 1 – Lothenbach Stables, Inc. ; 2 – Terry Propps ; 3 – Robert Nokes ; 4 – Jason Bullard ; 5 – Henry S. Witt, Jr. ; 6 – Charles Garvey ; 7 – Lothenbach Stables, Inc. ; 8 – K 5 Stables ; 9 – Dennis Mitchell, Don Bell, Gaye Bell and Gold Medal Stable

 

Entries  For The 28th Running Of THE MANITOBA OAKS $25,000 Guaranteed

28th Running Of THE MANITOBA OAKS $25,000 Guaranteed
FILLIES, 3-YEAR-OLDS  ONE MILE
TO BE RUN MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Jungle Story (MB) 3/F L C Husbands 115 D Schnell
2 Holiday Maker (KY) 3/F L D Nelson 119 J Brown
3 Floating River (MB) 3/F L A A Morales 115 H Wallerstedt
4 Supreme Rush (MB) 3/F L C Chow 119 H Wallerstedt

Owners: 1 – Barry Arnason, Al Daley, Darrell Sundsbak and Cam Ziprick ; 2 – Wind Dancer Stable and Bill Meikle ; 3 – K 5 Stables ; 4 – K 5 Stables

Sunday, August 2, 2015 7:00 PM CDT
Monday, August 3, 2015 1:00 PM CDT
Friday, August 7, 2015 7:00 PM CDT
Saturday, August 8, 2015 7:00 PM CDT

Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Loooch Racing on the Lookout for Top Horses


 

 

$200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) nominations


Stryker Phd bids for a Longacres Mile repeat on Sunday, August 16

$200,000 LONGACRES MILE DRAWS 23 NOMINATIONS
80th RENEWAL SET FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015

AUBURN, Wash. (August 2, 2015) – Pending late mail, 23 horses have been nominated to the 80th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday, August 16.

The 80th running of the Grade 3 race will match top middle-distance horses at the one-mile distance, featuring many of the sport’s elite jockeys and trainers taking on the best Emerald Downs has to offer.

No less than nine graded stakes winners are nominated to this year’s renewal, led by Bayern, winner of the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); Sahara Sky, winner of the 2013 Metropolitan Handicap (G1), and Warren’s Veneda, winner of the 2015 Santa Margarita (G1).

Conditioned by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Bayern held off Toast of New York by a nose in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and is 6-for-13 with lifetime earnings of $4,418,680. Warren’s Veneda, a 5-year-old California-bred mare, has earned over $900,000 in a 26-race career and would become the first filly or mare to start in The Mile since Have Faith in 1966.

Stryker Phd—bidding to become the first two-time Longacres Mile winner at Emerald Downs—carries top local hopes for trainer Larry Ross and owners Jim and Mona Hour. The 6-year-old Bertrando gelding carries a six-race winning streak into The Mile, and appears in peak form following after a six-length rout in the Mt. Rainier Handicap last month. In last year’s Mile, Stryker Phd rallied from last for a half-length victory in 1:33.67.

Other graded winners nominated are Alert Bay, Big Cazanova (ARG), G.G. Ryder, Majestic City and Mr. Bowling.

Alert Bay enjoyed a tremendous 2014 campaign for trainer Blaine Wright, winning six stakes and earning $596,407 for Peter Redekop of Vancouver, B.C. A 4-year-old City Zip gelding, Alert Bay has won graded stakes on turf and dirt, including three stakes wins Santa Anita.

Southern California trainer Peter Miller nominated Appealing Tale and Big Cazanova. A 5-year-old Tale of the Cat gelding, Appealing Tale dropped a head decision to Catch a Flight in last week’s San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, while Big Cazanova, a 6-year-old Argentine-bred, has faced many of Southern California’s top older horses and registered a 3 ¼-length victory in the Native Diver (G3) last fall at Del Mar.

Majestic City and Sammy Mandeville also have competed in top events in California. Majestic City shipped to Dallas for a front-running victory in the Lone Star Park Handicap (G3)and Sammy Mandeville is multiple graded stakes-placed, including a second in the Precisionist (G3) at Santa Anita.

In addition to Sahara Sky, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer nominated G.G. Ryder and Southern Freedom. Co-owned by Hollendorfer and George Todaro, G.G. Ryder is 10-for-21 lifetime and is a graded winner on turf and synthetic.

Handicap weights for the Longacres Mile will be announced Saturday, August 8, with entries drawn Wednesday, August 12. If more than 12 horses enter, high weights are preferred.

Also Sunday, August 16, older fillies and mares compete in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff at 1 1/8 miles.

2015 Longacres Mile Nomination
Facts & Figures:
· Nine graded stakes winners nominated: Alert Bay (G2), Bayern (G1), Big Cazanova (G3), G.G. Ryder (G3), Majestic City (G3), Mr. Bowling (G3), Sahara Sky (G1), Stryker Phd (G3), Warren’s Veneda (G1).

· Kentucky-breds lead in nominations: Kentucky 11 Washington 4 California 4, Florida 1, New York 1, Argentina 1, British Columbia 1.

· 4-year-olds top nominations: 4-year-olds-8; 6-year-olds-7;5-year-olds-6; 7-year-olds-1; 8-year-olds-1.

· Last start at: Emerald Downs 8, Del Mar 8, Hastings 4, Los Alamitos 1, Golden Gate 1, Sacramento 1.

· Four horses also nominated last year: Mr. Bowling, Prohibition, Scat Daddybaby, Stryker Phd.

· Six Longacres Mile-winning trainers nominated horses: Mike Puhich, Doug O’Neill, Larry Ross, Jerry Hollendorfer, Bob Baffert, Doris Harwood.

$200,000 Longacres Mile (G3)
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Horse. . . .Owner. . . .Trainer
Absolutely Cool
(8g-WA)  Karl Krieg Tom Wenzel
Alert Bay (4g-CAL)  Peter Redekop B.C., Ltd. Blaine Wright
Appealing Tale (5g-KY)  Gary and Cecil Barber Peter Miller
Atomic Rule (5g-CAL)  Charlie Dunn, Gordy Jarnig & Ray McCanna Tim McCanna
Bayern (4c-KY) Kaleem Shah, Inc. Bob Baffert
Big Cazanova (6r-ARG)  Wachtel Stable, G Barber, Brous & Dona Licha Peter Miller
Botch (5g-KY) Luigi DiPietro & Diana DiPietro  Blaine Wright
Del Rio Harbor (4g-WA)  Desert Rose Racing & Bar C Racing Stables Marshall Allen
Fleet Eagle (6h-KY)  Paula Capestro & Oak Knoll Meadow Farm Paula Capestro
G.G. Ryder (4c-CAL)  Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro  Jerry Hollendorfer
Majestic City (6h-KY)  Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffrey Bloom) Richard Baltas
Modern (5g-KY)   Swift Thoroughbreds, Inc. Dino Condilenios
Mr. Bowling (6h-KY)  M. Dedomenico & N American Tbred  Mike Puhich
Noosito (4c-WA) Last Rose Stable Doris Harwood
Prohibition (6g-NY)  Vann & Sauci Belvoir Vann Belvoir
Sahara Sky (7h-FLA)  Jerry Hollendorfer & Sweetwater Stable Jerry Hollendorfer
Sammy Mandeville (4c-KY) W.C. Racing Doug O’Neill
Scat Daddybaby (5-KY)  Mike & Amy Feuerborn   Robbie Baze
Solemnly Swear (4c-KY)  M. Dedomenico & N American Tbred Mike Puhich
Southern Freedom (4c-KY)  Dang, Dedomenico, Todaro, Hollendorfer Jerry Hollendorfer
Stryker Phd (6g-WA)  Jim & Mona Hour Larry Ross
Taylors Deal (6g-BC)  North American Thoroughbred Racing Mike Puhich
Warren’s Veneda (5m-CAL)  Benjamin C. Warren Craig Lewis

Emerald Downs Wrap-Sunday, August 2

AUBURN, Wash. (August 2, 2015) – Among the Stars took the early lead and rolled to a powerful 6 ¼-length victory Sunday in the $18,800 feature race for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, Among the Stars ran one mile in 1:36.17 and paid $6.60, $4.80 and $3.40.

Among the Stars has won three of four starts since being claimed by trainer Candi Tollett and owner John E. Parker, earning over $25,000 for her new connections. A 4-year-old Harbor the Gold filly, she is 7-2-5 in 23 starts overall with earnings of $98,096.

Gunned to the lead from the No. 2 post, Among the Stars set fractions of :24.31, :46.88 and 1:10.73, opening a commanding eight-length lead, and pretty much coasted home unchallenged under Mitchell.

Call Me Cinderella, ridden by Joe Steiner, rallied from last to finish second and paid $5.80 and $3.80. English Lace, ridden by Julien Couton, finished third and paid $6. Sunpenny, Krazy for Kugel and Diamonds Dena completed the order of finish.

NOTES: Ain’t Tellin’ ($8.40) scored a gate-to-wire victory under Juan Gutierrez in race eight and joined Coach Royal as four-time winners at the meet. Trained by Jim Penney for owner Where We At, Ain’t Tellin’ ran one mile in 1:35.74—second fastest clocking at the distance this meet. Stryker Phd ran one mile in 1:35.57 while winning the Budweiser Handicap on June 14. . .Jockey Rocco Bowen and trainer Joe Toye combined for three wins over the weekend, including wins Sunday with Teacra ($6.80) in race four and Thanks a Million ($10.80) in race seven. . .Julien Couton won the nightcap on In Private ($5.60) and finished Week 16 with a 68-55 lead over Juan Gutierrez atop the jockeys’ standings. . .Apprentice Osvaldo Gonzalez had two wins Sunday—the Quarter Horse opener on Cousin Wheelz ($5.60) and race six on Surprise Sale ($4.20). . .Owner/trainer Nancy Betts and jockey Janine Smith each notched their first wins at Emerald Downs as Dashing Don ($13) shipped in from Hastings Racecourse to prevail in the $21,500 allowance for 2-year-olds, as 1-to-5 betting favorite Hey Ez Money finished third. The winner, a 2-year-old California-bred gelding by Popular, is two-for-two including a 20-to-1 maiden victory last month in Vancouver. . .Live racing resumes Friday with first post 6:45 p.m.

Emerald Downs Wrap-Saturday, August 1

TRIBAL WATERS SCORES SPLASHY VICTORY
SATURDAY FOR EMERALD RACING CLUB

AUBURN, Wash. (August 1, 2015) – Tribal Waters surged late and scored a three-length victory Saturday in the $13,600 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up.

The pride of the 187-member Emerald Racing Club, Tribal Waters ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.98 and paid $11.20, $4.40 and $2.60. Leslie Mawing rode the winner for trainers Larry and Sharon Ross.

That makes four wins for Emerald Racing Club in just two seasons—Dancing Yodeler won twice last year, and Charlie Thomas and Tribal Waters each have a victory this year. In fact, Dancing Yodeler, the 7-year-old gelding that thrilled ERC with two come-from-behind victories last year, was given a special retirement ceremony between races Saturday.

Mawing, who has ridden all four ERC winners, said the strategy Saturday was to lay behind speedsters St Nicholas Becky and Tribal Waters.

“The plan was just to lay off the two speed horses and make one big move,” Mawing said. “It worked out perfectly.”

Tribal Waters made his move in mid-stretch, overtaking St Nicholas Becky and Cinematic Cat, then holding off Raspberry Ala Mode for the victory.

A 4-year-old California-bred colt by Tribal Rule, Tribal Waters was acquired privately in Northern California, having been scouted by Larry Ross at Golden Gate Fields. Saturday marked Tribal Waters’ third start at Emerald Downs, with the win upping his lifetime mark to 3-1-1 in 13 starts and the $7,480 winner’s share boosting his earnings to $48,153.

Raspberry Ala Mode, ridden by Diego Sanchez, closed ground to finish second and paid $4.80 and $2.80.

St Nicholas Becky, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, held third and paid $2.40. Zoomzoomania and Cinematic Cat completed the order of finish; Fable Haven was a late scratch.

NOTES: There were no winning tickets in Saturday’s $0.50 Pick 5, the carryover to Sunday is $8,365. . .There were four double-digit winners in the sequence topped by Add Some Alcohol’s $36.80 triumph in race six. . .

The meet’s leading rider, Julien Couton, and the meet’s leading trainer, Jeff Metz, had two wins apiece on the 10-race card. Couton leads Juan Gutierrez 67-54 in the jockeys’ standings and Metz leads Frank Lucarelli 38-22 in the trainers’ standings. . .Kendini rallied for a $22 upset under Jake Barton in race eight, giving trainer Sil Juarez his first Emerald Downs victory since 2001. . .

Cape Grace ($28.40) overcame a slow start to win the $20,500 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies in 1:04.85 for 5 ½ furlongs. A Washington-bred owned and bred by Oak Crest Farm LLC, Cape Grace was ridden by Javier Matias for trainer David Martinez. . .Martinez is 14-for-61 (23 percent) at the meet with a $16.60 average $2 win payoff. . .

He’s Zuberrific ($9) out finished the mighty Power Fleet in a strong stretch run to win race four in :57.56 for five furlongs. The winner, a 4-year-old Washington-bred gelding owned by Ron Maus and trained by Terry Gillihan, is 4-4-6 in 22 starts at Emerald Downs. . .Nominations close Sunday for the 80th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 16. .

.Defending Mile champion Stryker Phd worked five furlongs in :59.60 Saturday, fastest of 13 works at the distance. . .

Live racing continues Sunday with a 10-race card at 2 p.m.
MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: AMONG THE STARS & DIAMONDS DENA

Sunday’s ninth and feature race showcases six older fillies and mares who’ll face off in a starter optional claiming race for $25,000, including Among the Stars and Diamonds Dena are this week’s Media Match-Up of the Week!

Sunday, August 2, 2015 2:00 PM PDT
Friday , August 7, 2015 4:30 PM PDT
Saturday, August 8, 2015 2:00 PM PDT
Sunday, August 9, 2015 2:00 PM PDT

Bloodhorse – Novak – Jim Dandy: Texas Red Denies Frosted

TDN – Texas Red Returns to Winning Ways in Jim Dandy


Lunatic Fringe


 

 

hastings-logo

 

MIKE HEADS HASTINGS PREVIEW FOR BC CUP DAY

“”Let’s get ready to rumble” is the usual battling cry before huge boxing matches and that cry will suffice nicely at Hastings Racecourse who will host six stakes races for BC bred or owned horses as part of a sensational 21st renewal of BC Cup Day.

The main event is in race seven as nine older horses (Devil in Disguise has been scratched) will travel nine furlongs in the $100,000 BC Cup Redekop Classic.

Starting on the inside is the Hastings Racing Club’s Square Dancer who took advantage of a three horse speed duel and drew off to an impressive win in his local debut. He is taking on a tougher challenge today but his off-the-pace style may reward him with another nice pay cheque. Former Hastings jockey Scott Williams, now based in Edmonton, is back in town for the day and gets the call from trainer Steve Henson.

Next is Henry Leong and Tom Easton’s Dontmesswithkitten who turned in second and fourth place efforts against this company in his last two. He loves to hit the board, been second 14 times, but he’s proven to be competitive with this calibre and with the right trip could get a big piece of the purse. Alex Marti re-rides for Cindy Krasner.

The Swift Thoroughbreds’ send out three good chances in Classic Sense, Shooting Jacket and Modern. Classic Sense has been gelded since his last which was a solid third place run behind stablemate Modern. Trainer Dino Condilenios will, along with his privates, remove blinkers for todays race. Mark Buchanan will jump aboard again this afternoon. Shooting Jacket dipped in for $25,000 claiming in his last but it was a sprint so it wasn’t a surprised to see finish second. He will stretch out to a better distance for him but is facing a tough crew. Antonio Reyes will get a leg up from a very busy Condilenios. The barn star though is Modern who seems to have the best shot on paper. He was reeled in late by Mr. Bowling after setting demanding fractions in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors. He has to travel a sixteenth of a mile farther but if he can relax a bit then he has a great chance. Richard Hamel will be in the irons.

Barbara Heads will send out two runners Brass and Gold and Mysterious Soul. Both are horses that like to be prominent early, Brass and Gold won this race two years ago when it was strictly for BC breds. Pedro Alvarado will once again be at the helm. Mysterious Soul will get the serves of Amadeo Perez who was aboard for his game runner-up to Square Dancer which was his first in nine months. He is coming back quickly after a taxing effort in just 16 days but he showed last fall that he is as good as any older horse on the grounds.

Gord Christoff’s homebred Twistgrips will be trying for an upset victory from off-the-pace today. He has hit the board in his last two starts in allowance company and has shown in the past that he can battle with the best in the Northwest. He was third in the Longacres Mile last year. Keishan Balgobin gets the call from trainer John Snow.

Rounding out this excellent field is the likely favourite Mr. Bowling. He enters this race off of back-to-back wins in stakes company for Mark DeDomenico and the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company. It was disappointing to hear that Mario Gutierrez would not be in town to ride but he does pick David Lopez one of our top jockeys at Hastings.

The $75,000 Pegasus Distaff is one of many co-features. Karen Nordahl and Bernie and Terry Gallagher’s Arabella’s Muse is the one to fear. She has turned in two consecutive stakes wins since stretching out to this distance. Richard Hamel rides for leading trainer Mike Anderson. Terry McKibbin and Whieldon Thoroughbreds Dawselina, Russ and Lois Bennett’s Touching Promise, Braithwaite and Gorasht’s Locket and the Swift thoroughbreds’ Rather Beautiful appear to be the main competition.

The most contentious race of the day appears to be the $50,000 Stellar’s Jay for three year olds at a mile and a sixteenth. The betting choice will probably be James Redekop’s Aditya who easily bested a field of allowance runners sprinting for trainer Anita Bolton. He is bred to run long but will be doing it for the first time and Pedro Alvarado will get the job of trying to harness his good speed. Leif Nordahl’s Crius is better than his last race indicates and will be more of a threat. Richard Hamel gets a leg up from Mike Anderson on the son of Finality.

The $50,000 Dogwood for three year old fillies looks to be a one horse race as the Carmichael’s and Gregory’s Quatre Cat returns to restricted company after two wins and a second against the best open fillies at Hastings in her first three races this year.

The two year olds will be in the spotlight in the $50,000 Nursery and the $50,000 Debutante. The main threats in the Debutante appear to be the Swift Thoroughbreds’ Hippie (Antonio Reyes) who was an impressive maiden winner around two turns. NATHC’s Tactics (David Lopez) and Don Danard’s C U At Eau Claire (Richard Hamel) look to be the next best chances on paper.

The Carmichael’s and Gregory’s have another big shot in the $50,000 Nursery with Fear of the Cat who was an unlucky loser in his debut after a four wide trip. Sahin Civaci re-rides the son of Abraaj who likely only needs a bit better trip to win the money. Owner Don Danard, who has been busy at the CTHS Sales, will have two entrants Reason For Being just imported from Edmonton and B C Charlie, a third pace finisher in his career debut. The L D Rado Thoroughbreds Capital Expense was extremely impressive in his first start and is another in with a shot to grab the winner’s cheque.

All in all it is going to be another fabulous day at Hastings. The racing starts at 12:50 p.m. , an hour earlier than normal, and there will be a $3,800 Sea-to-Sky Pick 6 carryover.

MIKE HEADS PREVIEW FOR SUNDAY AT HASTINGS

SUNDAY HASTINGS PREVIEW

BEAR ROCK N ROLL  LIKELY FAVOURITE IN TODAY'S FEATURE- PHOTO BY PATTI TUBBS

Racing at beautiful Hastings Racecourse resumes today with a seven race program.

The feature event is in race three as eight talented $16,000 claimers will do battle over six and a half furlongs.

On the rail is the Rosie Anderson trainee Bluegrass Pride who raced an even fourth in his first run off the claim for the Whieldon Thoroughbreds. He is back in at the $16,000 claim level after facing a salty group of $25,000 optional claimers. He has an excellent record at Hastings and gets Mark Buchanan for a high percentage outfit. Beware.

Spirit River is owned by the Eagle River Gallery and trained by Charlene Miller. The son Second In Command has scored in two of his last three starts this year. Keishan Balgobin will be in the irons today. His speed makes him dangerous.

The Swift Thoroughbreds’ Iscar returns to a sprint after a good runner-up effort at this level going long. Trainer Dino Condilenios would be delighted if this race was a mile and sixteenth but with no distance races filling he has been forced to sprint. Antonio Reyes gets the call.

Kay and Sue Ohashi’s After The Conflict had a tough trip sprinting against better opposition last time. He is back in with the same company where he narrowly took home the top prize. His winning rider David Lopez returns to the saddle for trainer Patty Leaney.

Nick and Pauline Felicella’s recent claim Its Finally Friday is in with a good chance as he comes back at the same price that he was claimed for. Pedro Alvarado will jump aboard for new trainer Anita Bolton. Major player.

This field’s combined win total is 23 which matches Bearrock N Roll’s amazing lifetime achievements. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the ‘Bear’ hits the 24 mark for owner Bob Leffler and Craig MacPherson. Richard Hamel has been a partner for most of his wins and is back in the tack today.

The Century Plaza Stable’s Hopeseeker makes his return to Hastings after a nine month layoff. At one time he was a stakes competitor but trainer Carl Lausten has him spotted in this in this $16,000 claimer. Amadeo Perez gets the riding assignment.

Completing the field is Tammy Cheze and Terry Clyde’s Casino Boss who made his 2015 debut in Seattle and checked in seventh after a slow beginning. He is better than that race suggests and will likely move forward off of that race for trainer MIke Anderson. Jeff Burningham rides.

The action gets underway at 1:50 p.m. Of note American Pharaoh makes his post-Triple Crown return to the races in the $1,750,000 Haskell at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Post time is set for 2:50 p.m.

Sunday, August 2, 2015 1:50 PM PDT
Monday, August 3, 2015 1:50 PM PDT
Saturday, August 8, 2015 1:50 PM PDT
Sunday, August 9, 2015 1:50 PM PDT

Bloodhorse – Red Rifle Blasts Through in Bowling Green


TwinSpires Blog – American Pharoah Returns — All the Haskell News & Notes


Handicappers-Corner-2015-web

HANDICAPPERS CORNER FOR SUNDAY

 

Race 1 4 – After Court
2 – Jordan’s Quest
3 – Idontrollonshabbos
2 – Jordan’s Quest
3 – Idontrollonshabos
5 – Chapel Boy
Race 2 3 – Angel’s Victory
5 – Easter Sunday
4 – Silver Ovation
8 – Blackbird
4 – Silver Ovation
3 – Angel’s Victory
Race 3 1 – Bluegrass Pride
5 – Its Finally Friday
6 – Bearrock N Roll
1 – Bluegrass Pride
6 – Bearrock N Roll
5 – It’s Finally Friday
Race 4 1 – Windstrong
2 – The Odds R Good
3 – Its In Command
2 – The Odds R Good
5 – Perfectly Reckless
1 – Windstrong
Race 5 3 – Queen Militant
6 – Malakas
10 – Ya Kula
10 – Ya Kula
1 – Legally Connected
3 – Queen Militant
Race 6 7 – Honestly Occifer
4 – Timber Topper
1 – Aka Lily’s Lad
7 – Honestly Occifer
5 – Step Up
4 – Timber Topper
Race 7 2 – Tapicero
1 – Stoneridge Raider
4 – Lord Gallovic
2 – Tapicero
5 – Three Way Trade
4 – Lord Gallovic
Mike’s Picks DREW’s Picks

HANDICAPPERS CORNER FOR MONDAY

 

Race 1 7 – At The Ritz
4 – This Is The Moment
1 – Typhoon Taylor
4 – This Is the Moment
1 – Typhoon Taylor
3 – Whyistherumgone
Race 2 5 – Quatre Cat
1 – Race the Wind
7 – Bridle Beauty
5 – Quatre Cat
6 – Finality’s Charmer
7 – Bridle Beauty
Race 3 6 – Fear of the Cat
9 – Groot
5 – Capital Expense
6 – Fear of the Cat
1 – Reason for Being
4 – B C Charlie
Race 4 4 – Touching Promise
5 – Arabella’s Muse
6 – Locket
5 – Arabella’s Muse
7 – Rather Beautiful
4 – Touching Promise
Race 5 7 – Hippie
5 – Tactics
6 – C U At Eau Claire
7 – Hippie
5 – Tactics
6 – C U At Eau Claire
Race 6 2 – Ganbei
1 – Uncle Willard
5 – I’m Big Trouble
2 – Ganbei
8 – Payton’s Best
1 – Uncle Willard
Race 7 6 – Mysterious Soul
10 – Mr. Bowling
8 – Modern
1 – Square Dancer
10 – Mr Bowling
8 – Modern
Race 8 9 – Catz On Fire
6 – Aditya
2 – Crius
6 – Aditya
2 – Crius
7 – Brother Duster
Race 9 4 – Fire Beauty
5 – S.L. Express
7 – Zenya
4 – Fire Beauty
5 – S.L. Express
3 – Blended
Mike’s Picks DREW’s Picks

 Former St. Albert resident and longtime standardbred owner Mac Nichol and partners’ Madefromlucky notched his second graded stakes win in Saturday’s West Virginia Derby.

“He’s a special horse,” Nichol said. “We’ve known that for a long time. We were looking forward to him running a big race today, because we thought this race would suit him and it didn’t hurt that we didn’t have to worry about American Pharoah.”

Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Madefromlucky Gets Job Done in WV Derby


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Friday , August 14, 2015 7:05 PM SST
Saturday , August 15, 2015 7:05 PM SST

TwinSpires Blog – Confidence-building win for sprint champion Work All Week at Mountaineer


Bloodhorse – Texas Red, Frosted Likely to Meet in Travers


Guns_for_Cash

 


Bloodhorse – Angst – Seven to Face American Pharoah in Haskell


ESPN – West – Pharoah set for victory lap


ESPN – Ehalt – Pharoah generating excitement at Monmouth


Mrs. Robinson


Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Carpenter – American Pharoah more than held his own among the greats – the numbers prove it


Asbury Park Press – Edelson – Longshots ‘dream’ of Haskell victory over American Pharoah


Time Loves a Hero


NJ.com – Spahr – Traffic advisories issued in anticipation of record Haskell crowds


Park_After_Dark_SONiC_contest

 


Edmonton Journal – Stock – A love of horses is what motivates the unsung workers at Northlands racetrack


Bloodhorse – Beholder All Class in Easy Hirsch Score

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Pacific Classic next for Beholder after Hirsch domination?


 

Nominations For 26th Running Of Two Year Old Sales Stakes

26th Running Of  Two Year Old Sales Stakes
$50,000  FOR TWO YEAR OLD COLTS AND GELDINGS FOALED IN CANADA
SIX AND ONE HALF FURLONGS TO BE RUN SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AUGUST CRUISE dk b/.g.2 Buddy Bensmiller Buddy Bensmiller
CHARPETTI dk b/.g.2 Ron and Sandra Kirchner Joan Petrowski
DASHER dk b/.g.2 Grayross Stable and Monica Russell Monica Russell
MODERNOTIS dk b/.g.2 Derby Quest Farms Ltd., Shot In The Dark Racing Corp., Curtis & Darrell Landry Kerri Raven
MOONLIGHT MALICE ch.g.2 Mark Gems International Ltd. Jennifer Shafer
PADES ROYAL SALUTE ch.g.2 Darrell Landry Greg Tracy
RIGHT SWIFTLY MIKE b.g.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
RIPPLE gr/ro.g.2 Jim & Carole Barker and Red Diamond Stable Ron K. Smith
SUPER START b.g.2 Dialed In Racing Stable and IndyRock Racing Craig Smith
VICTORY DAY dk b/.g.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
WHISKEY BIRD (Hamel) dk b/.g.2 Mark Heppner Malcolm Beveridge

Nominations for 19th Running Of Two Year Old Filly Sales Stakes

19th Running Of  Two Year Old Filly Sales Stakes
$50,000 FOR TWO YEAR OLD FILLIES FOALED IN CANADA
SIX AND ONE HALF FURLONGS TO BE RUN SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ABSOLUTELYFABULOUS dk b/.f.2 Highfield Stock Farm Greg Tracy
BLINKANSHESGONE dk b/.f.2 David Lovlie Marcos Malvaez
BRICK OF GOLD ch.f.2 Country Diamond Ranch and Heta Lee Farms Joey Turcotte
EXHIBIT dk b/.f.2 Highfield Stock Farm Greg Tracy
HAYTHORNE PLACE ch.f.2 Charlie Maze Craig Smith
HIGH DOLLAR GAL (Williams) dk b/.f.2 Derby Quest Farms Ltd. and Shot In The Dark Racing Corp. Greg Tracy
LEENA dk b/.f.2 R & M Stable Robert A. MacDonald
MISS WILD ROSE dk b/.f.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft
ONESTARATATIME (Walcott) dk b/.f.2 Curtis & Darrell Landry, Red Diamond Stable and Highfield Stock Farm Greg Tracy
PADES ROYAL TIME dk b/.f.2 Darrell Landry Greg Tracy
REIGN OF RENO dk b/.f.2 Rollingson Racing Stables Twylla Bensmiller
SAFARI TAN b.f.2 M & P Equipment Inc., Met Set Consulting Ltd. and Dale L. Saunders Dale L. Saunders
SONGANDDANCE GIRL ch.f.2 Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. Tim Rycroft

Edmonton Sun – FRANK FONTANA’s Northlands Favourites

Matt’s Picks and Free Program – Monday August 3, 2015

Monday, August 3, 2015 1:00 PM MDT
Friday, August 7, 2015 6:30 PM MDT
Saturday, August 8, 2015 1:00 PM MDT

The Guardian – Cook – Richard Hughes’ Glorious Goodwood thunder stolen by Frankie Dettori


Speaking of Doubles Shannon Beauregard won both halves of the late Daily Double that paid $25.90 on Saturday at Northlands Park following her unsuccessful Jockey’s objection in the sixth race.

Shannon piloted Rick Wise, Geri Gowdy, Bernie Green and Vernon Harder’s Swiss Idol to his third straight win since being collared for $17,500.00 by trainer Rick Wise. In the finale Shannon was in the irons on Perfecto Cat for owner trainer Elly Rutherford.

Shannon’s No 1 with a bullet on the jockey list of the young fan who was rambunctiously celebrating his $2,801.90 Triactor win  for a dollar ticket. Phil’s sure he’ll be back with his friends.


Meet Gillian Foote at Park After Dark Friday, August 14, 2015


Courage, my friends; ’tis not too late to build a better world.
Tommy Douglas

Phil’s made a comment or 2³² since the last provincial election about who are the appropriate persons to be negotiating the next slot revenue sharing agreement with the new provincial government. Phil may not know who is competent but he knows who shouldn’t be doing it.

If either Rick LeLacheur or Shirley McClellan wants to take the time to respond to Phil and provide him with reasons why they feel they are the best candidates in this province to negotiate the next revenue split agreement with the province they are welcome to send their comments to Phil M Stockmen.

Phil’s not expecting a response as nobody at Horse Racing Alberta reads www.holybull.ca do they.

Phil’s not expecting a response as neither Rick not Shirley will admit that they like their cheques and perqs.

One doesn’t have to go far back in history to see the utter disdain that the haughty Tories had towards the NDP members of the legislature.

Then Finance Minister Robin Campbell made the following comment to Brian Mason during the debate on the amendments to The Horse Racing Alberta Act.

Mr. Campbell: Sure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few quick words. First of all, we now understand why the member from the fourth party will never win a seat in rural Alberta; he doesn’t understand rural Alberta. Horse racing provides jobs in rural Alberta, and it’s something that we have to do to continue to make sure that we create those opportunities.

The now unelected Mr. Campbell’s nasty and uncalled for comments show just how out of touch the Tories had become. Not only did what he refers to as the fourth party win seats in rural Alberta they won enough seats throughout the province to sweep the arrogant Jim Prentice Tories right out of office.

Unfortunately. the new government has not swept all the Tory cronies from their patronage positions yet.

Then Finance Minister Robin Campbell was responding to then MLA now Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Transportation Brian Mason’s comments during the debate on the amendments to The Horse Racing Alberta Act:

So, Mr. Speaker, I just want to indicate that while there are some modifications to the board and how it’s composed, to the status of the corporation as a provincial agency and so on and various, I guess, lesser issues, the basic fact of the matter is that we don’t believe that the provincial government should be continuing its subsidization of this industry. It is in many respects a dying industry, and there are fewer and fewer tracks simply because other forms of entertainment and other forms of gaming have emerged, that have cut very much into its market share. We believe that we need to respect the choice of the people who make their entertainment choices, their gaming choices, if that’s what they want to do, and not be picking winners and losers and using a skewed formula for allocation of gambling revenues in order to continue subsidization of this industry.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Now Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Transportation Brian Mason’s comments during the debate on the amendments to The Horse Racing Alberta Act set the tone for the task for those negotiating the next slot revenue sharing agreement with the new provincial government and that’s a pretty tall range of mountains to climb especially when the Sherpas don’t speak your language.  Tommy Douglas himself may have declined the challenge.

As Albert Einstein said: We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

Far too many Tory cronies and their minions considered the Alberta coffers their slush fund. Their mantra was: Ask not what we can do for the province of Alberta, ask how much the province of Alberta can stuff into our pockets. On a secant – How stupid are the jiggies to still be pumping money into the pockets of Jim Reed when all he delivers is for his own self-interests.

You’re not going to convince the new government to continue with the same split of slot revenues or even a slightly trimmed version thereof with the same tired rhetoric and bullshit ads and figures that Horse Racing Alberta’s now trumpeting out on their website.

Phil has a serious question:

Who at Horse Racing Alberta failed in their task to keep the opposition members of the legislature informed of what was and is happening in the horse racing industry and of the benefits of the horse racing industry to the economy of the province of Alberta.

Would Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan not be tied for Number 1 with a bullet.

Don’t the commissioning of the Cuff Report and the passed but never proclaimed amendments to The Horse Racing Alberta Act show that even the Tories saw problems with the setup and operation of Horse Racing Alberta.

Don’t the passed but never proclaimed amendments to The Horse Racing Alberta Act show that even the Tories were planning on having a new Chair and Board for Horse Racing Alberta selected on a more transparent more meritorious basis.

Phil’s reprising :

It took Goss a few months to finally do the right thing, but over at Horse Racing Alberta neither Shirley McClellan nor Rick LeLacheur have the common decency to put their personal interests aside, put the interests of the horsemen first and  do the right thing and resign for the benefit of the horse racing industry.

Why should Shirley McClellan resign.

HRA has been quiet; Shirley McClellan had been focused on getting Jim Prentice voted in for the PC Party
HRA is not meeting until October

ASHA Board of Directors Meeting  Minutes of 13 September 2014

The inference to be drawn from the ASHA minutes of September 2104 is that Shirley McClellan was too busy getting Jim Prentice elected to be properly performing her duties as CEO of Horse Racing Alberta. If Norm Kennedy is wrong in what he said at that meeting then he owes Shirley McClellan an apology. If he is not wrong then it is incumbent on the Chair and Board of Horse Racing Alberta to deal with what appears to be a CEO failing to perform the duties that they are being compensated $20,000 a month to perform.

Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan have taken it upon themselves to play partisan politics when that puts them in conflict with their duties to the 7,000 or more persons who depend on the horse racing industry for their livelihood and none of those are getting $20k a month. In private industry Rick Lelacheur and Shirley McClellan would have been shown the door months ago and the only reason their still in their positions is that Rachel Notley has so many messes to clean up she hasn’t got to this one yet.

The first order of business at the July 29, 2015 Industry Session meeting at Century Casino has to be to review the performance of Rick Lelacheur and Shirley McClellan and decide if they are they proper people to be negotiating the next slot revenue sharing agreement with a government in power that they both worked to defeat and held in disdain when the NDP were the opposition.

If either Rick LeLacheur or Shirley McClellan wants to take the time to respond to Phil and provide him with their Plan to negotiate the next revenue split agreement with the province they are welcome to send their comments to Phil M Stockmen.

Phil’s not expecting a response as nobody at Horse Racing Alberta reads www.holybull.ca do they.

Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan must put their own personal interests aside, for once in their lives put the interest of the horsemen in this province first and resign immediately.

Phil hates to constantly repeat the same theme but the covering on Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McLellan’s ear flaps is thicker than their skin.


You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
Walt Disney


Bloodhorse – Monmouth Ups Haskell Purse to $1.75 Million

Louisville Courier-Journal – Rees – Haskell purse hike in lieu of bonus series


If you pay them they will come.

The Voice


Louisville Courier-Journal – Rees – More than Haskell’s purse appeals to Crawford


Carryovers

Monday August 3, 2015

Assiniboia Downs
Super High Five Jackpot    $24,006.00
Delaware Park
Pick 5    $2,611.00
Hastings Racecourse
Pick 6    $3,862.00
Northlands Park
Super High Five Jackpot    $9,113.00
Presque Isle Downs
Pick 6    $264.00
Ruidoso Downs
Tri Super    $10,346.00
Saratoga
Pick 6    $57,646.00
Woodbine
Super High Five Jackpot    $31,346.00

 

Tuesday August 4, 2015

Fort Erie
Super High Five     $1,624.00
Pick 5    $786.00
Indiana Grand Race Course
Pick 6    $937.00
Sunray Park
Super High Five Jackpot    $1,014.00

 

Wednesday August 5, 2015

Del Mar
Super High Five     $39,859.00
Evangeline Downs
Super High Five     $593.00
Louisiana Downs
Pick 5 Jackpot    $277.00
Prairie Meadows
Pick 5    $2,163.00

 

Thursday August 6, 2015

Arlington
Super High Five Jackpot    $4,015.00
Pick 6    $1,650.00
Gulfstream Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $114,991.00
Super High Five     $3,290.00

 

Friday August 7, 2015

Ellis Park
Pick 6    $1,128.00
Laurel Park
Super High Five     $5,844.00
Pick 6    $2,617.00
Pick 5    $2,174.00
Monmouth Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $23,059.00

Guaranteed Pools

Monday August 3, 2015

Northlands Park
$10,000  — Pick 4

Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools


TwinSpires Blog – TURF TALK: American Pharoah returns in Haskell


Bloodhorse – American Pharoah Has Final Work for Haskell


elevated bloodstock online


 TwinSpires Blog – Scully – American Pharoah ready for Haskell bid


ESPN – Ehalt – Not a typical weekend at Monmouth


TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Precursor of Haskell an unforgettable Choice


INDIAN CHARLIE WORLDWIDE - We Never Let the Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story

 


TwinSpires Blog – Protonico’s back in action on Haskell undercard

Bloodhorse – Shulman – Protonico Heads Monmouth Cup Stakes Cast



Lady and the Track – Smith – Horse Racing News, Recaps, Replays August 1-2 2015


TwinSpires Blog – Sunday’s notable 2-year-old maidens: 7th at Del Mar


This Weekend’s  Stakes

August 2
Assiniboia Downs
Manitoba Mile $25,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Del Mar
Real Good Deal Stake $200,000 3yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Ibis Summer Dash GIII $685,000 3&up 5f Turf
Queen Stake GIII $633,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Monmouth Park
Lady’s Secret Stake Listed $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.32f Dirt
Metropolitan Jets Oceanport Stake GIII $150,000 3&up 8.5f Turf
Monmouth Cup Stake GII $200,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Teddy Drone Stake Listed $100,000 3&up 6f Dirt
William Hill Haskell Invitational GI BC $1,000,000 3yo 9f Dirt
WinStar Matchmaker Stake GIII $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Saratoga
Shuvee Handicap GIII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Dirt
Smirnoff Sorbet Caress Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Turf
Santa Rosa
Luther Burbank Handicap $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Woodbine
Seagram Cup Stake (Can-III $150,000 3&up 8.5f AW

August 3
Assiniboia Downs
Manitoba Derby $75,000 3yo 9f Dirt
Manitoba Oaks $25,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Hastings Race Course
British Columbia Cup Classic $50,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Debutante Stake $50,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Distaff $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 9f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Dogwood $50,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Marathon $20,000 3&up State/Prov 11f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Nursery $50,000 2yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
British Columbia Cup Stellar’s Jay $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Saratoga
Coronation Cup Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 5.5f Turf
Woodbine
Nandi Stake $125,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f AW
Shepperton Stake $125,000 3&up State/Prov 6.5f AW

August 4
Sunray Park
Budweiser Allowance Stake $30,000 3yo Fillies 6.5f Dirt

August 5
Les Bois Park
Taylor/Davenport Memorial $7,000 a 3&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
Del Mar
Graduation Stake $100,000 2yo State/Prov 5.5f Dirt
Saratoga
Shine Again Stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares R 7f Dirt

August 6
Saratoga
Quick Call Stake Listed $100,000 3yo 5.5f Turf


Bloodhorse – Lewn –  ‘Maria’ Upstages Champ Untapable in Shuvee

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell –  Stopchargingmaria runs up big win in Shuvee


TDN – Well-Related Discreet Cat Colt Wins Debut at the Spa


Derby Bar and Grill

Plans Announced for Hastings Racing Club 2016

HASTINGS RACING CLUBS SQUARE DANCER WINNING THE REDEKOP CLASSIC - PATTI TUBBS PHOTO

Plans for the 2016 Hastings Racing Club are taking shape. Hastings Racing Club 2015 winds down on October 31, 2015, however Club manager Richard Yates advises that up to 100 new memberships will be sold beginning right away with the intention of adding a third horse to the Club, namely a yearling to be bought at the CTHS Sale in September. The Club will expand to a maximum of 300 members in 2016. Yates says there is already a significant waitlist in line for 2016 and it is growing daily.

The yearling purchase and development process will be exciting, interesting and informative for Club members and will give them a rattle at the extensive BC-bred stakes schedule in 2016. Currently the Club races Square Dancer, who runs in the Redekop Classic on BC Cup Day, and Urban Achiever, a two-year-old graduate of the Barretts Sale at Del Mar in late May.

The 2016 membership will again cost $250 in a one-time only payment. Out of that will come all wintering costs for the three horses (Square Dancer and Urban Achiever will be rolled into Hastings Racing Club as of November 1, 2015) and starting costs for the yearling purchase. Otherwise, it will be the same set of costs as this year, that is, those related to the training, racing and general upkeep of the horses. In any case, the expense to Club members is capped at a maximum of $250 for the year. The Hastings Racing Club 2016 will wind down on October 31, 2016.

Yates says that current Club members have the right of first refusal on the 200 memberships they presently hold. The next 100 memberships will be offered to those on the waitlist and the general public.

Those interested in joining the Hastings Racing Club should contact Richard Yates at rayates@shaw.ca for more information.

From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter

 

RAILBIRD NOTES

RAILBIRD NOTES BY GLEN TODD

BY GLEN TODD

 

BC CUP DRAWS LARGE SIZE FIELDS

The BC Cup card of nine races slated for Monday has drawn largest amount of entries in sometime.

The total entries reached 79 horses with the BC Cup Debutante drawing the largest field of 11 starters and 1 on the also eligible list. That is a per race average of 8.7 and nearly two more horses in every race over 2014.

The Redekop Classic for older horses has a field of 10 going one and one eighth miles for the $100,000 purse.  The Redekop Classic this year was opened up to BC Bred or BC Owned horses and the purse was increased from $75,000 to $100,000 and it drew the best older colts and geldings on the grounds.

All and all it should be a great day of racing with perfect weather in the forecast for Monday.

TAPS AND HOSES INSTALLED ALONG OUTER RAIL

Thursday morning Wayne Oliver of Oliver Irrigation installed five taps and hoses along the outer rail from the Winner’s Circle to the Paddock to aid horsemen in this hot weather.

A big thank you goes out to Wayne Oliver who installed the water lines and taps free of charge to aid horsemen in the unsaddling area.

NEW MOISTURE MEASURING EQUIPMENT HAS ARRIVED

The track maintenance crew received their new computerized water monitoring system on Wednesday and are putting it in to use immediately.

The machine measures the amount of moisture in track from the rail out to outside fence.  They can then judge the amount of water needed to keep the track with an consistent amount of moisture around the whole oval.

The track crew will know exactly where to apply more water to keep the track consistent.  So if you see the track crew out on the track with a probe they are measuring the amount of moisture.  The information is then downloaded from the probe into a computer program and it then prints out a graph of the moisture levels.

CTHS SALES CATALOGS NOW AVAILABLE

The sale catalogs are now available for 2015 CTHS Yearling and Mixed Sale to held at Thunderbird Park on Wednesday, September 9th.

Catalogs are available at the CTHS Office, the Hastings Racing Office and the Derby Bar and Grill.

The catalog can be also found on line at  http://www.cthsbc.org/CTHS%20Sale/2015/2015%20Sale%20Entries.html

 

 

SQUARE DANCER THRILLS HIS 200 OWNERS

WITH SECOND STRAIGHT WIN AT HASTINGS

 Vancouver, B.C. (Aug. 3/15) – If this keeps up Hollywood will soon come calling to hire the scriptwriter.

For the second time in two starts at Hastings Racecourse a five-year-old chestnut gelding by the name of Square Dancer stole the hearts of his 200 new owners by finishing first in dramatic fashion.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

Square Dancer had a crowd in excess of 10,000 in total awe Monday with a late charge to win by a neck over favoured Modern in the $100,000 Redekop Classic as part of BC Cup Day at Hastings Racecourse. It was the marquee event of the Civic Holiday card that featured six stakes races restricted to thoroughbreds bred in B.C.  or owned by B.C. interests.

Square Dancer is owned by 200 racing enthusiasts who each invested $250 as part of the new Hastings Racing Club managed by veteran horseman Richard Yates and trained by Steve Henson, one of the most popular people on the grounds at the moment.

“This is a great day; you are a lucky bunch,” Yates told his elated army in a winner’s circle that spilled over to the middle of the track to pose for the traditional victory photo. “People who have done this for years and spent enormous amounts of money never had a day like we just had. Embrace it.”

Ridden by Scott Williams, the second leading rider at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Square Dancer stumbled slightly at the start of the 1 1/8th miles feature but maintained his composure racing from the number one post.  “He settled nicely,” Williams said.  “I just tried to keep him in the clear and he really kicked into gear when I asked him.”

Square Dancer paid $8.30, $4.20 and $3.20, finishing in a final time of 1:50.15.  “I love BC Cup Day,” an emotional Henson said when the photo finish confirmed the win.  “I have to say this is a pretty special moment.”

The whole day with a total handle of $1,329,986 was also special for Hastings Racecourse General Manager Darren MacDonald.  “It was the most memorable BC Cup in the eight years that I’ve been here,” MacDonald said. “Things went so smoothly you would have never guessed it was our biggest crowd of the year.  It was a Cinderella-like day.”

Veteran jockey Richard Hamel might have thought so, too.  He won three of the six stakes:  the Debutante aboard C U At Eau Claire ($15); the Pegasus Distaff with Arabella’s Muse ($4.20) and the Dogwood aboard Quatre Cat ($3.90).

The biggest upset of the afternoon unfolded in the Nursery when first-time starter Stanz in Command rallied from off the pace under the guidance of jockey David Lopez, paying $78.70. Catz On Fire  ($15,60) won the Stellar’s Jay with Antonio Reyes aboard.

Regular racing resumes Friday at Hastings Racecourse with the first of this year’s Friday Night Live cards that will run through the month of August, replacing the normal Saturday afternoon dates.

Vancouver, B.C. (Aug. 2/15) – Owners, breeders and trainers spent Sunday afternoon under the marquee tent socializing at Hastings Racecourse. It was a time for fun and banter, swapping stories and perhaps giving the word ‘embellishing’ new meaning.

But when the regular Sunday racing card drew to a close, so did the frivolity. The horsemen went their separate ways to prepare for one of the biggest events on this year’s calendar: Monday’s BC Cup Day, featuring six stakes races with close to $400,000 in purse money up for grabs.

Four of those stakes are restricted to B.C.-breds and two others – the $100,000 Redekop Classic and $75,000 Pegasus Distaff – have been opened to horses also owned by B.C. residents.

“If all goes according to plan – and it should – we’ll have 79 horses running on the nine-race card,” says Darren MacDonald, Hastings Racecourse general manager. “Last year there were three stakes with five-horse fields.  Now that things have opened up with the B.C.-bred or B.C.-owned mandate, the fields are much more competitive.”

The rich, $100,000 guaranteed Redekop Classic for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8th miles has more potential storylines than a Disney movie.

The probable favourite promises to be Mr. Bowling going for his third consecutive stakes win at Hastings.  But without a doubt, the sentimental favourite will be the newly formed Hastings Racing Club’s Square Dancer and his 200 owners.

In his first start at Hastings on July 18, Square Dancer won a $50,000 optional claimer for trainer Steve Henson, resulting in the winner’s circle spilling into the middle of the track for the ceremonial victory celebration.

Arabella’s Muse will have her sights set on a third consecutive stakes win in the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16th miles.  Trained by Mike Anderson, she won the $50,000 Vancouver Sun on June 7 and $50,000 Monashee on July 1.

BC Cup Day also features the $50,000 Nursery for 2-year-old B.C.-bred colts and geldings; the $50,000 Debutante for B.C.-bred 2-year-old fillies; the $50,000 Dogwood for 3-year-old B.C-bred fillies and the $50,000 Stellar’s Jay for 3-year-old colts and geldings bred in B.C.

Special start time for the nine-race holiday Monday card is 12:50 p.m.

 

Hastings Wrap-up For August 2—Richard Yates

It was Jockey Day at historic old Hastings Racecourse on the day before the Day. Three jockeys swept the card. Amadeo Perez won three while Pedro Alvarado and Antonio Reyes split the other four. The track played fair to all as a mix of speed horses, stalkers and deep closers won. It all seemed to suit the fans from near and far who chucked in 520K on the seven propositions we offered on Sunday.

Amadeo Perez - Photo by Jackie Humber

Its Finally Friday Wins On Sunday

A field of $16,000 open older claiming horses went in the third and Its Finally Friday ($10.40) cut back from a route to the sprint distance of 6 ½ furlongs and wired a pretty tough bunch of old campaigners by setting fast early fractions and running home in 1:16.76. Iscar closed from last to be a no-threat second by getting past the venerable Bearrock N Roll very late and relegating him to third.

ITS FINALLY FRIDAY WON THE 3RD ON SUNDAY - JACKIE HUMBER PHOTO

 

Spirit River went with Its Finally Friday for a while but was unable to cope with a 44.85 half mile and fell out of it. When that one dropped back, Its Finally Friday went three lengths clear coming into the lane and that was more than enough as he hit the three-quarters in 1:09.65 and cruised in from there. Iscar did a lot of closing after being way out of it early and Bearrock N Roll gave it a good try, however, Its Finally Friday was not going to be caught by any of them and he provided rider Pedro Alvarado his second of the day and his second in a row.

Its Finally Friday is a full brother to last year’s Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Finality’s Charmer. He was bred in British Columbia by Prescott Farms. Nick and Pauline Felicella own and Anita Bolton trains.

The Odds R Good Validates Eight to Five

THE ODDS R GOOD ON THE INSIDE WON THE 4TH ON SUNDAY - LISA THOMPSON PHOTO

In an effort that can only be described as game The Odds R Good ($5.30) won the fourth with Amadeo Perez piloting in a race that both horse and rider refused to give in to repeated challenges over a hard fought 6 ½ furlongs that took 1:17.07 for the winner to cover. Captain Jones was a head back in second after a late run, and Its In Command salvaged third after waging war with the winner for much of the trip.

The drop from Maiden Special Weight, where he was second in 4 out of 6 starts, to $25,000 three-and-up maidens was enough to put the Odds R Good in the winner’s circle. This race, like so many other upper-level maiden races this year, went as a de facto three-year event as all eight starters were just that.

The Odds R Good broke well and went to the front with Its in Command pursuing before moving past after a half in 45 seconds flat. Despite being passed, The Odds R Good just kept digging in, even when Captain Jones made a move on the last turn to make it a three horse race.   He cut the corner nicely and opened up a little cushion in the lane that proved to be just enough to hold off Captain Jones who ran on well after losing a spot of ground on both turns. But the race in the end was about a very gritty The Odds R Good.

He was bred in British Columbia by Mel and Fran Snow. Conrad Rozenek co-owns with Mel Snow who trains. The Odds R Good is by Cause to Believe out of the very fast 3-time sprint stakes winner, What R the Odds.

Also Noteworthy:

Amadeo Perez wired the sixth race with Honestly Officer ($3.70) for Swift Thoroughbreds and Dino Condilenios and completed the triple in the last when he brought Tapicero ($7.00) from last on behalf of owner/trainer Taylor Anderson.

Antonio Reyes took the opener with After Court ($8.10) who is owned by the Rocking Bar B Outfit and trained by Frank Barroby. His second win came in the fifth on Country Pearl (10.30) who laid a pretty good licking (5 lengths) on a field of 4K NW/2 mares for owner/trainer William McLaren and owner Carol Sedgewick.

Pedro Alvarado kicked his double off with Easter Sunday ($6.50) in the second for owners Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Leslie and trainer Jim Brown. He completed his “day theme” with Its Finally Friday in the next, as mentioned above. The two wins were enough to move Alvarado into the lead in the jockey standings with 39 wins, one more than Richard Hamel.

Mike Anderson still leads the trainers with 20 wins and Swift Thoroughbreds is atop the owners list with 12.

 

Hastings Wrap-up For BC Cup Day, And A Grand Day It Was—Richard Yates

When You Wish Upon A Star, Sometimes You Get A Square Dancer Who Becomes A Star

BC CUP DAY AT HASTINGS - PATTI TUBBS PHOTO

The skies were blue, the crowd was huge, the cheering was loud, the track was fast, purses were big, fields were deep and no racing fan could say they did not get their money’s worth on BC Cup Day 2015. The Hastings Racing Club sure did when their former claimer won a 100-grander.

Richard “Big Money” Hamel had the kind of outing we have come to expect from him on premier days. He won 3 stakes and was a neck and an agent’s decision away from a fourth, having passed on Square Dancer to take Modern (and it was just barely the wrong way to go).

Jockey Antonio Reyes won the last two on the card to post a double. Trainer Barb Heads had a nice twosome with wins in the Stellar Jay and the Starter Handicap. That gave owners Russell and Lois Bennett a pair of wins and owner Don B. Danard also won two.

The handle topped $1.3 million. Some favorites won, some lost, and some horses at very long odds ran well. The track was less kind than usual to speed, or maybe the best horses running were closers.

There were a lot of good races on Monday full of good horses, so which of them should we call the feature? Oh, what the heck, let’s say it was the $100,000 Redekop Classic won by the people’s horse, Square Dancer, who was a neck to the good in the last jump and put a couple of hundred people in the Winner’s Circle. Or more accurately, spread them out over about a hectare worth of racetrack in the vicinity of the Winner’s Circle. It was one of the larger and more joyous assemblages at Hastings Racecourse in a long time and it capped off another glorious BC Cup Day.

HASTINGS RACING CLUB - PATTI TUBBS PHOTO

 

Square Dancer

Square Dancer winning the Redekop Classic Stakes race at Hastings Racecourse with jockey Scott Williams up.

The Redekop Classic was won by Square Dancer ($8.30) with a perfectly timed ride from Scott Williams deciding the matter at the last possible moment over Modern who led every step of the way except for the last one. Modern was a length clear of Brass and Gold in third behind Square Dancer who completed the mile-and-an-eighth in 1:50.15.

Modern broke clean and was away smoothly while Mysterious Soul was not; he had to run hard to move into a position to put some pressure on Modern and that, down the road, took its toll. And most likely there is no future in being the horse that tries to put pressure on Modern anyway.

Meanwhile, quite a bit further back, Square Dancer is moved into the clear going into the second turn, a little wide but running comfortably. Going down the backstretch he started to edge up slowly on the two pacesetters who were still more closely pursued by Brass and Gold and Mr. Bowling.

None of the chasers were able to sustain their moves, with the exception of Square Dancer who, although 6 or 7 wide when he straightened up for the drive, had some momentum. Modern, on the other hand, had some cushion and it was not at all obvious that Square Dancer was going to catch him. But he did. Modern ran a tremendous race only to lose. Square Dancer ran a relentless race and it took all of that to win.

JOCKEY SCOTT WILLIAMS AFTER HIS WIN ON SQUARE DANCER

Square Dancer is by Circular Quay out of Dance Special who is by Theatrical. The Florida bred gelding is raced by the Hastings Racing Club and trained by Steve Henson.

 

Arabella’s Muse

ARABELLA'S MUSE WAS THE EASIEST OF WINNERS IN THE $75,000 PEGASUS DISTAFF - PATTI TUBBS PHOTO

In the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff it was Arabella’s Muse ($4.20) confirming what we had already begun to suspect, that her combination of speed and stamina makes her the best filly or mare in these parts. She absolutely cruised her way to a mile-and-a-sixteenth in 1:44.07, that being fast enough for a two length margin over the closing Lockett who was herself a length clear of Touching Promise in third.

Dawselina led around the first turn, but by the time they had started their run past the grandstand Arabella’s Muse had gotten bored with that. She moved to the front and started to lay down a string of fast quarters that were more than Dawselina, or any other horse in the race, could deal with.

A 46.81 half, followed by three-quarters in 1:11.15 was good for a three length cushion that was far more than she would need to hold off Lockett who closed willingly without ever worrying the winner. Touching Promise plugged along steadily to run third, but she too was never able to get Arabella’s Muse’s attention.

The winner was bred in British Columbia by Leif Nordahl and Karen Nordahl. She is owned by Karen Nordahl and Bernard and Teresa Gallagher. Arabella’s Muse is by Finality out of the five-time stakes winner, Excited Miss. The dam is one of four stakes winners produced by Excited Angel, who sprang from Seraphim, a Halo mare Red Rock Farm imported late in the last century to the considerable benefit of the province’s bloodstock. Mike Anderson trains.

 

Stanz in Command

Stanz In Command winning the BC Cup Nursery stakes at Hastings Racecourse with jockey David Lopez up. - Four Footed Foto

Stanz in Command ($78.70) stunned the British Columbia Cup Nursery for two-year-old colts and geldings with a long, sustained move that saw the first-time starter close from way back under David Lopez to beat a field of supposedly more talented and largely more experienced two year-olds and generate the day’s longest payoffs for any kind of wager you can think of. Fear of the Cat, at a mere 9-1 checked in second and 39-1 shot Power Corrupt took third. Fourth went to We Found Gold at 26-1. The 9-10 favorite, Alberta shipper Reason for Being, was behind all those big numbers after setting very fast fractions and tiring. The final time for the 6 ½ furlongs was 1:18.45, about a length faster than the two-year-old fillies ran a little later in the day.

Stanz in Command is a BC-bred son of Second in Command out of Serengeti Sunrise. He was bred by White House Stables and sold to current owner Robert Scott in the 2013 CTHS Sale for $7,500. Mr. Scott is now out on the horse with some to spare. Charlene Miller trains and she had the winner ready off what appeared to be a fairly average work tab. There was nothing average about the result.

Quatre Cat

Quatre Cat winning the BC Cup Dogwood stakes at Hastings Racecourse on August 3rd 2015 with jockey Richard Hamel up. - Four Footed Foto

The British Columbia Dogwood Handicap, at a mile-and-sixteenth for three-year-old fillies, was won by Quatre Cat ($3.90) to no one’s great surprise. Richard Hamel kicked off his stakes triple with the two length win over Sailingforthesun in what was essentially a two horse race. Storm Stalker was an even third, 5 lengths out of second and seven behind the winner.

Sailingforthesun went to the front immediately after the break and Quatre Cat quickly set up shop right behind her. They ran that way until the final turn where Quatre Cat moved to and then past the frontrunner to take a lead she was never at risk of losing.   The winner was giving Sailingforthesun eleven pounds, but that was not enough to bring them together.

Quatre Cat covered the route in 1:44.57 on her way to her third stakes win of the season and fourth overall. She was bred in British Columbia by Rob McDonald and is by Abraaj out of the Foxhound mare Four Girls. She is owned by Stuart and May Carmichael and David and Sylvea Gregory. The trainer is Sylvea Gregory.

 

Catz on Fire

Catz on fire winning the BC Cup Stellar's Jay stakes race at Hastings Racecourse with jockey Antonio Reyes up. - Four Footed Foto

The British Columbia Stellar’s Jay Handicap for three-year-old colts and geldings went to Catz on Fire ($15.60) who launched a last to first move that got him over the mile-and-a-sixteenth in 1:44.65, a time good enough for a half-length advantage over the strongly favored Aditya. The recent claimer Brother Duster continued his ascension to finish third.

Aditya chased the early leader Torniador, a 40-1 maiden, before taking over by the time they had gone three-quarters in 1:12.16. Both Burrard Breeze and Crius made runs at him, but they were turned away. Catz on Fire made his run and Aditya had used too up many resources to withstand the charge. Antonio Reyes rode the winner, the first of two in a row for him.

Catz on Fire was bred by Russell and Lois Bennett who continue to own him. Barb Heads trains the BC bred son of Sungold who is out of the Finality mare Fancy Catz.

 

C U at Eau Claire

C U AT EAU CLAIRE winning the BC Cup Debutante at Hastings Racecourse with jockey Richard Hamel up.  Four Footed Foto

Two-year-old fillies contested the 6 ½ furlong British Columbia Cup Debutante Stakes and it was won by C U at Eau Claire ($15.00) with a stalking trip that got her home a length in front of the furiously closing Snuggles and her much more highly regarded Swift Thoroughbreds stablemate, Hippie.   The whole thing took 1:18.69, or about a length slower than the two-year-old boys went.

The very speedy Tactics set the early pace going 22.13 and 45.41 before favored Hippie took over the lead, only to lose it to C U at Eau Claire and then see her stablemate, the first-time starter Snuggles, go flying by late to take the place. It was Richard Hamel’s third win and third stakes win on the day.

C U at Eau Claire is by Haynesfield, a speed horse when going long and long was what he was good at, having won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at a mile-and-quarter. She was bred by Tod Mtn. Thoroughbreds in British Columbia out of an Awesome Again mare named Sweetheart Rose. C U at Eau Claire is her third stakes winner. Don B. Danard owns and Greg Tracy trains.

Also Noteworthy:

The Starter Handicap went to I’m Big Trouble ($12.90) with Jeff Burningham aboard for Barb Heads and owner/breeders Russell and Lois Bennett. Don Danard got his owners double with Fire Beauty in the last. Antonio Reyes also completed his riding double and provided a BC Cup Day win for trainer Mel Snow.

At the Ritz ($6.40) opened the card with a victory for owner Clint Wilson and trainer Rob VanOverschot. Keishan Balgobin rode, and while it may have been a non-winner of two for 4K geldings, it was a win on BC Cup Day and that makes it special regardless.

Richard Hamel’s triple moved him back in front of Pedro Alvarado by two wins, 41 to 39, and Antonio Reyes is now in third with 23 after his double. Mike Anderson still tops the trainers with 21 wins.


 TDN – ‘Saturday’ Filly Gives Baffert Momentum Going Into Sunday


BC-Cup- 2015-Promo_Web-Square

Bloodhorse – Real Solution Acquired by Calumet Farm


CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOCIETY (BC Division)

2015 Sales Catalogue

2015 Yearling & Mixed Sale
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, BC

#7-5492 Production Blvd,

Surrey, BC V3S 8P5
Phone (604) 534-0145 Fax (604) 574-CTHS (2847)

Email cthsbc@cthsbc.org

CTHS BC


Another area where disclosure would start to win back trust is on the use of what are known as therapeutic use exemptions. These exemptions are granted by the sport’s controlling bodies to athletes who are able to prove that they need them for a genuine medical reason (asthma is the most common one). An exemption allows an athlete to use an otherwise banned drug or treatment. The problem is the abuse of these exemptions, and the growing perception that they provide a loophole that ambitious coaches and athletes are actively exploiting for performance benefits.

Many of the allegations made against Mr. Salazar involve using these exemptions so some of his athletes could gain an unfair advantage. These exemptions should be disclosed, and independent testing should verify that the condition requiring an exemption actually exists.

Transparency is not, and will never be, proof that an athlete has not doped. Testing must continue: It acts as a deterrent to at least control the extent of doping, if not to eradicate it. Trust, once lost, is hard to earn back, but the combination of testing and transparency just might help to regain the confidence of those who wish to believe in clean, competitive sport.

NY Times – Tucker and Dugas – How to Fight Doping in Sports


NY Mag – DeLessio – Former Tour de France Champ Accuses Cyclists of Using Tiny Motors on Bikes


Would I Lie To You


 

 

HBPA MEETING JULY 29

HBPA NOMINATION MEETING RESCHEDULED TO AUGUST 12TH

The HBPA of BC has postponed ed its Nomination Meeting scheduled for July 29 in order to remember Bobby Hall that evening at Emerald Acres.

The meeting will be rescheduled to Wednesday August 12.

 


A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR PAM MCDOUGALL WILL BE HELD IN THE PADDOCK THEATRRE

 NORTHLANDS PARK

SUNDAY AUGUST 16th AT 1:00 PM MDT


 TDN – Mastercraftsman’s Amazing Maria Upsets Ervedya In the Rothschild


 

TRF-SavetheDate-2015-fullpage FINAL

 

 


Wagering on our product continues to be positive. Overall wagering to date totals $10,459,898 which is an increase of $763,094 (7.9%). Although off-track wagering has increased by $953,183 (14.3%); on-track has decreased by $190,089 (6.3%).

HBPA Alberta – Wagering & Purse Account Stats: May 1 – July 25, 2015


Midnight Rider


15699 Simulcast Canadian Derbyjpg_Page1

 


Nominations for the 86th running of the Canadian Derby close Wednesday, August 5, 2015.


Bloodhorse – Rock Fall Edges The Big Beast in Vanderbilt


2015 HBPA of Alberta Election – Board of Directors

 

Alberta

FLASH – REMINDER TO CAST BALLOTS

FOR 2015 HBPA OF ALBERTA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

 

This is a reminder that Ballots for the 2015 HBPA Board of Directors election must be returned to the Association’s Auditor postmarked no later than August 7, 2015.

The Auditor advises that to date only approximately 27% of the membership have cast votes. We would again encourage all members to exercise your right by voting for Directors who will represent your interests for the next three (3) year period.

In the alternative to returning your Ballots by mail, especially for our Trainer members, Ballots can be cast August 7, 2015 at the HBPA office located in the Control office on the Northlands backstretch.

Please also note that we have had approximately ten (10) Ballots returned in the mail due to addresses which were incorrect or no longer valid. All addresses appearing on the HRA three year and/or one year Licenses were sources to send out the Ballots. If you did not receive your Ballot and are licensed in Alberta as an “A” racetrack Owner or Trainer you are automatically a member of the HBPA of Alberta. Please contact the office at 403-263-7499 or  Theresa Sealy @ 403-540-8707 to request a replacement Ballot.

 

The following individuals are running for office. The new Board will take office at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on August 27, 2015

OWNERS                                                                   TRAINERS

                                                                                  Rod Cone

Darrell Bauder                                                           Ryan McLean

Brian Bygrave                                                           Craig Smith

Norm Castiglione                                                      Joan Petrowski

Dr. Rod Cundy                                                          Tim Rycroft

Don Danard                                                              

Victor Kleparchuk                                                    

Don Knight                                                               

Curtis Landry                                                           

Linda Smith                                                  

Dr. Steve Smith DVM          

per:

Mat Monaco – HBPA of Alberta       


Vote early and vote often.

Al Capone


 

  Twp Rd 502 Rg Rd 240, Leduc County, MLS® # E3416515For Sale


Bloodhorse – Peters – Maternal Influences Make a Difference


Thoroughbred Internet – Barry – The tale of Tertullian


TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Rachel’s Valentina: Did we just see the Spinaway winner?

TDN – Daughter of Rachel Alexandra Wins Debut, Becomes ‘Rising Star’


 

Save the Date!
2015 CTHS Sales Contract

CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOCIETY
(ALBERTA DIVISION)

2015 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale
Sunday, September 20th, 2015
Northlands
Park EXPO Centre – Edmonton, Alberta

_______________________________________________________________________

 MAIN CATALOGUE

DEADLINE FOR MAIN CATALOGUE: FRIDAY, JUNE 26th, 2015


Bloodhorse – Snierson – Second Massachusetts Horsemen’s Group Forms


Bloodhorse – Arlington, Hawthorne Mesh ’16 Dates Schedules


Washington Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association

 

2015
WTBOA SUMMER YEARLING
and MIXED SALE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015
The Tuesday following the Longacres Mile (G3)

Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Pavilion
Emerald Downs, Auburn, Washington

Catalogue


TDN – Smart Transition Rallies to Curlin Victory


TwinSpires Blog – Balan – Gimme Da Lute Dominates Real Good Deal


 

 

It’s
presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?
• TOMORROW:  Live card at 7 p.m. features the $25,000 Graduation stakes for babies and $15,000 Quarter Horse Derby
• SUNDAY AFTERNOON:  Monmouth Park features Triple Crown champion American Pharoah in the $1 million Haskell Invitational
• SUNDAY EVENING:  Live card at 7 p.m. features the $25,000 Manitoba Mile stakes then a free concert with Alberta country recording stars High Valley
• HOLIDAY MONDAY:  Derby Day features races for top 3-year-olds–the $75,000 Manitoba Derby and the $25,000 Manitoba Oaks for fillies. Plus a hat contest ($100 each for best racing theme, most glamorous, wackiest) and children’s prizes. Plus the next free collectible card in the All-Star Derby series. Plus five draws for $20 show wagers (following races 3 to 7). Plus family fun, of course. First post: 1:30 p.m.
Be sure to see the Northern Dancer exhibit in the lobby — on loan
from the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame all weekend.
Manitoba Derby line-up (in order of post positions):

1. Flashy Jewel 7/1

2. Spider’s Alibi 9/2
3. Madd Edition 20/1
4. Impromptu 3/1
5. Witt Six 5/2
6. Carouse 7/2
7. Quiet Ry 5/1
8. Tactical Warrior 20/1
9. Safecracker 15/1
Read George Williams’ analysis here.
Paddock host Rob MacLennan’s Derby choice:  Spider’s Alibi over Carouse
My Derby choice:  Spider’s Alibi, too
Bullet briefs . . .
• Still time to predict top bid on Pharoah’s halter
• Can race-fixing allegations have a humorous side?  (Sort of.)
• You thought he was just lucky in contests?  Think again!
• Here’s the amazing list of donors to Selman social (read and thank)
• Death and disease lead to lucky win. What?  (See reader’s letter)
• Another female jockey paralyzed in spill — this one in Indiana
DEADLINE EXTENDED:  More time to predict Pharoah’s halter bid
American Pharoah’s halter, donated to injured jockey Alyssa Selman’s fund raiser by Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert, won’t be listed on eBay until Friday, Aug. 21 (along with the halters of Zenyatta and Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost, among other unique items).  So you now have until midnight Friday, Aug. 14 to predict what the closing bid will be.  NOTE: ITEMS WILL HAVE A 10-DAY RUN ON EBAY. Closest to the correct bid (without going over) wins $50 in betting vouchers and will have $50 donated on his or her behalf by the Downs to the Selman Trust Fund.  Email your prediction to theinsider@ASDowns.com
DO THE DOWNS


Carryovers

Click for race schedule
Simple tips for winning
(pass it on)
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE
QUARTER HORSE DERBY, GOLD N SOCHI RETURNS TOMORROW:  Expect a great card of live racing tomorrow at 7 p.m. with Gold N Sochi looking for her first win after a great debut two weeks ago, with the $15,000 Quarter Horse Derby and with the $25,000 Graduation Stakes for the babies. That race should be highly competitive with a horse from Northlands Park and another from Canterbury Park taking on Charlie Smith’s Pecos who won the Debutante two weeks ago.
Official stations of horse racing.
Click to listen
HANDICAPPING
TOP THREE:  Math prof Jim Roberts (centre) will be going to Vegas while Al Ilott (right) picks up $250 and Brian McKellar gets $100 for their second and third place finishes in Saturday’s Get Serious Las Vegas Horseplayer Challenge. The next trip will be awarded Saturday, Sept. 5.
Not just lucky–smart, too!
Contest guru wins go-to-Vegas tourney
Few saw this coming.  A Downs player better known for his luck at winning contests (along with those in his family) used horseplayer skill to beat 49 other entrants in Saturday night’s monthly Get Serious Horseplayer Challenge to earn a trip for two to Las Vegas and entry in a rich tournament there in late winter.
Betting $2 win/place on each of nine live races Saturday, Jim Roberts, a math prof at Red River College, accumulated a bankroll of $52.10, beating out Al Ilott (right) who finished second with $50.20  and Brian McKellar (last year’s co-Handicapper of the Year) who finished third with $46.80.  “I thought he was only good at lucky draws,” a veteran player said upon hearing that Roberts had won.
But, then again, Roberts achieved a remarkable feat seven years ago when he was the last person standing among 2,833 North Americans who had entered Hollywood Park’s online contest to pick a show horse each day. Roberts won $6,000 Cdn. at that time.  Now he has a chance to win $600,000 U.S. for being the best player in the Horse Player World Series at the Orleans Hotel Casino in March or to pocket one of 49 runner-up cash prizes.  I wouldn’t sell him short on anything — he seems to find a way.  Bring home the bacon, Roberts!
Rob MacLennan
Picked the longshot

*       *       *

TOURNEY NOTES:  MacLennan’s picks would have won contest.  Anyone who simply bet $2 win/place on paddock host Rob MacLennan’s top picks for the nine races Saturday would have won $68.60–and the trip to Las Vegas (which was won with a closing bankroll of $52.10).  Rob had three first-place finishers (including Something Bourbon that paid $27.70 and $7.10) and three seconds. Why did he like the longshot?  Because the horse had been fractious in a previous start–and Rob liked him then–so he thought a clean load in Saturday’s race could result in a win.  Which it did.  Nice.  Will Rob’s picks in the last live tournament on Sept. 5 be Vegas-worthy, too?  Uh-oh, pressure’s on!

SELMAN TRUST FUND WATCH
THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK
YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU — THANK YOU
See the overwhelming generosity of donors to the Selman Benefit Social
and a list of their donations here.  Thank ’em if you see them or do business
with them.   The total raised at the social was more than $47,000.
CASH DONATIONS TO DATE: $42,205
BIDDING BEGINS AUG. 21:  Bidding begins on eBay Friday, Aug. 21 (for a limited 10-day period) for the donated halters used by American Pharoah, Zenyatta and Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost.  See details here on these and several other impressive offerings.
RACE-FIXING ALLEGATIONS
Charged with race-fixing at Evangeline Downs:
Billy Patin, Joe Patin, LeSean Conyers
Can you say “not a winning ride?”
There’s nothing funny about race-fixing except, perhaps, for this Equibase description of the ride that alleged race-fixing jockey LeSean Conyers gives George’s Genie in the seventh race at Evangeline Downs on June 19.
“Took up at the start, angled in to brush the rail five furlongs out . . .
lost whip, lost right iron soon thereafter, trailed home.”
Can you say “not a winning ride?”  Conyers, 24, was charged with fixing that race along with two jockey brothers who also rode in that six-horse field (and are also being investigated for use of a battery on July 4):  Joe Patin, 51, and Billy Patin, 46.  The three jockeys started from the gate extremely slowly and were way out of sight for most of the race, finishing more than 17 lengths behind the race-favourite and a 17/1 longshot that combined to produce a $1 exactor of $28.70 and a $1 triactor of $92.
In a recent court appearance, the three riders were freed from custody after posting bond.  In her next race with a different rider, George’s Genie finished second at 12/1.
Watch the race replay here.  (Click on June 19, race 7.)
You’ll find the head-on view particularly, uh, interesting.
HOTTIES OF THE WEEK
Hottest jock:  Rohan Singh (5 wins)
Hottest trainers: Shelley Brown (3 wins)
Biggest upset:   Tiz A Star $41 (Wed 3rd)
Biggest 20-cent superfecta:  $535 (Wed 6th — 3-2-6-5)
BOB’S BLOG TODAY:  Merry’s Jay, the first Manitoba-bred to win the Manitoba Derby in 1976, returned to the track in 1986 at the age of 13.  What race was he in?  Or was he?  Track historian Bob Gates tells you what happened in today’s blog here.
What Lolo wants (a win), Lolo gets again
The most contentious group of horses on the grounds is older females and they once again provided thrills Saturday night in the Winnipeg Sun Stakes.  Last year’s champion, Go Go Lolo (#1 above), did her patented mow-em-down late maneuver with Chris Husbands (inset) at the reins to pay $5.10 as the fan favourite, proving she is, at this point anyway, #1.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Oriana Rossi
Injured like Selman
Renaldo Cumberbatch
Hat trick
R. James Speers
60-year anniversary
ANOTHER FEMALE JOCKEY INJURES SPINE:  Oriana Rossi, a 10 for 60 winning jockey at Indiana Grand race track suffered similar spinal injuries to that of ASD jockey Alyssa Selman, leaving the 32-year-old paralyzed from the chest down, when her horse clipped heels in a race last Wednesday. This is the second year in a row for misfortune at the Shelbyville, Indiana track.  Last October, jockey Juan Saez, 17, died in a spill
RENALDO SCORES A HAT TRICK:  Happiness is scoring a riding hat trick — which is what veteran ASD rider Renaldo Cumberbatch did last Wednesday including the longest shot winner of the week.  He won on: Mighty Bear in the first ($3.60), Tiz A Star in the third ($41) and Miss Moochie in the fifth ($10.40).  That equals his single hat trick last year.  Can he double up?
“FATHER OF RACING” DIED 60 YEARS AGO:  It was 60 years ago this month that the most influential figure in Manitoba racing, R. James Speers, died.  He operated River Park in 1920 then built Whittier Park and Polo Park later that decade.  Before his death at 72 on July 19, 1955, he envisioned a replacement track for Polo Park (that closed in 1956) that came to be known as Assiniboia Downs in 1958.  He is buried in Elmwood cemetery next to family members.
BEST CHANCE FOR CANADIAN TRIPLE CROWN FIZZLES:  The best chance in years for a Canadian Triple Crown fizzled Tuesday when Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost finished second to 13/1 Breaking Lucky in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie.  Ghost was the first Queen’s Plate winner since 2010 to even try to win the second leg of the Triple Crown–because of the difficulty in transitioning from a Poly to a dirt surface–because he had two previous wins on dirt.  With horses

July VLT champ Felix Berthelette gets
$250 from Roseanne

having to race on three different surfaces to win the Canadian Triple Crown–synthetic, dirt and turf (the Breeders’ Stakes)–the Canadian Triple seems even more difficult to win than the U.S. Triple Crown.  There have been 12 winners of the Canadian Triple Crown, the same as the U.S. Triple. Wando was the last, in 2003, when Woodbine had a dirt track.

RETIRED WELDER GETS LUCKY CATCHING LOBSTERS:  Retired welder Felix Berthelette found a certain affinity for catching lobsters in the Club West Gaming Lounge in July, turning free plays playing Larry the Lobster into $551.25 which included $250 for being July’s champion player.  Is lobster dinner in the offing, Felix?  Congrats!
BE A BETTER BETTOR: “Terrible” horses deserve a look
Being a better bettor means thinking like a trainer.  Why would a trainer spend an owner’s money to ship a horse with terrible running lines to Saratoga to tangle with the best?  To lose more?  Hardly.  The trainer feels he’s done something that could lead to an improved effort.  You could land a big payoff by adding that seemingly awful horse to your triactors and supers.
Reader writes . . .
“Gut feeling can pay off”
Dear Ivan:  Using horse names, I decided to make a four-horse 20-cent superfecta box costing $4.80 on our HPI account on the last race at Belmont Park on July 17.  I used #4 Ross J Dawg as we had to put our lovable 16-year-old dog Banjo to sleep last week.  Next was #3 Believe I Can.  Those words I live by every day as I have M.S.  Next was #5 Promise & Hope, inspired by our daughter Trish who has severe lyme disease.  And last of all, I decided to study the form a wee bit and used #10 Mill Creek.  I did not watch the race and came back to find my balance had increased by $1,831.35.  What a shock!  I guess timing is everything and a hunch or gut feeling can pay off.”  —  Evelyn Tilston-Jones
Great story, Evelyn.  Thanks for sharing it.

Bloodhorse – Gabriel Charles Set for Arlington Million



Bloodhorse – Balan – Holy Boss Extends Streak in Amsterdam

TDN – Street Boss Rising Star Makes the Grade


Bloodhorse – Travers Purse $1.6 Million if ‘Pharoah’ Runs


Bloodhorse – Bradester Carries On in Monmouth Cup


TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Blameitonthelaw states Del Mar Futurity case


Bloodhorse – Angst – Casual Smile Continues Roll in Matchmaker


History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this.
Karl Marx


Edmonton Journal – Stock – Edmonton boxer Jelena Mrdjenovich loses unanimous decision in featherweight title fight


TSN – World of neglect


The Globe And Mail – A century later, why do people continue to fall for Ponzi schemes?

Phil has a question:

Have you ever heard of greed.


Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?

Groucho Marx


Driving – McAleer – The 5 best cars from British gangster films


Roadrunner


I’m not sure. But of this I’m certain: We now utterly conflate entertainment and politics, routinely confuse celebrity with authority and regularly lose sight of the difference between a cult of personality and a claim to leadership.

And Donald Trump — still going strong, still dominating the polls — is the emblem, apotheosis and ripe, fleshy, orange-crowned fruit of this. (Yes, Donald, I called you a fruit. Deal with it.)

NY Times – OpEd – Bruni – We Invited Donald Trump to Town


I Hear You Calling


National Post – John Oliver goes after Canadian capital in Ashley Madison takedown


The Globe and Mail – Babad – Bad things come in threes: The outlook for jobs, pay and the Canadian dollar


Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it’s doing in the Maritimes.
Tommy Douglas


You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet


National Post – AP – Mutsaka – Zimbabwe to America: Hand over the U.S. dentist who poached Cecil ‘so that he be made accountable’

NY Times – Capecchi and Rogers – Killer of Cecil the Lion Finds Out That He Is a Target Now, of Internet Vigilantism

Los Angeles Times – The lion, the dentist and the fury: A viral storm


River Deep Mountain High


 FiveThirtyEight – Morris – How Weird Is Alex Rodriguez’s Resurgence?


Hold Back the River


If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.
William James


The Globe And Mail – Reuters – Rosenber, NcNeill, Twohey and Conlin – Trump’s vow to protect U.S. jobs at odds with business practices


Liar, Liar


The Bitter Southerner – Upholt – Wild Miles on the Big River


Somewhere Down The Crazy River


NY Times – Barry – Is New Orleans Safe?


LA Times – For Rush’s Geddy Lee, touring means training


Tom Sawyer


NY Times – Gordiner – My Dinner With Longevity Expert Dan Buettner (No Kale Required)

The New York Times – Dan Buettner’s Longevity Feast

Slides 6 and 7 are all Phil needs to see to tells him this guy’s on the write track.


Downtown

All That You Are


Phil M Stockmen

  One Response to “Coming Home When You Don’t Know Where You’ve Been”

  1. FEDERAL PC BRING XMAS IN JULY WHILE ALBERTA NDP BECOME GRINCH

    MAYOR NENSHI/CALGARY blasts NDP government for rejecting $27 million disaster recovery funds from September storm with 50% trees being damaged and largest snowfall in 131 years. Finance minister CECI former city alderman states “should use your reserve funds”,what are the chances of 28 million projected from racino funding to continue after this year/he is also the minister in charge of horse racing/ HRA have no reserve funds or rainy day funds left to finance programs!

    CECI NDP FINANCE MINISTER seeks budget input under budget.alberta.ca with up to 1500 characters via email/the site is very user friendly and if you have no confidence in the HRA, please respond!

    HBPA is rumoured to being using PLAN G, with GORDON WILSON as CHAIRMAN BOARD OF GOVERNORS NORTHLANDS to seek input into the future of horse racing in Alberta.

    KEN “VALENTINO” TINGLE would be my pick,as trainer for GW and for a couple of Jamaican meat patties he would provide a honest and truthful response to the government support of horse racing.

    TEAM HARPER ELECTION CALL is rumoured to have turned down the CEO campaign assistance with her past election defeat and new NDP policy of conflict of interest guidelines!

    SUGAR DOYLE is rumoured to be wearing COWBOY HAT CAM for backstretch interviews for the upcoming harness CTV broadcast on Aug 8. HRA is attempting to cut costs and become frugal, by eliminating a camera man to meet 186K broadcast budget for 2 live shows this year. It would also reduce stress on the race horses and unfortunately the sheriff badge and whistle that go with this package can only be worn by racing officials.

    HRA introduces GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD with kelly/travis tied at 7/7 with $1150/$950 fines respectively at season midpoint,l’m am confident that travis will repeat and retain his crown.

    BEIJING CHINA awarded 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS with 1.5 billion infrastructure bid ,while HRA/CENTURY/ASHA rumoured to bid 75K for WDC (WORLD DRIVING CHALLENGE) in 2017!.

    CHRIS ROBERTS departure will the TRACK @ BARN – MONITORING GROUP with its 2 years repair plan to replace long barn/winter barn roofs budgeted at 1 million become a reality??

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