Page 10 - February 2005 The Game

10 The Game, February 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Get Tied On
with Chaplain Shawn
Two questions I've
found myself answer-
ing for the last four
weeks are "Why?" and
"How?"- Why didn't
God do something to
stop the tsunami and
how could God let this happen? Both questions are legitimate, but answering them tends to raise more questions than answers. First, why didn't God do something? As much as we'd like to think that God could simply negate disasters like tsunamis, it is not in His nature to interfere with nature, pardon the pun. Scripture does record a few instances, such as when Jesus calms a storm, but these are few and far between and seem to have a pre-determination about them, serving a purpose that is outside the realm of mere weather. And if God were required to interfere with disasters of nature, what would be the criteria? Tsunamis? Earthquakes? Volcanoes? Blizzards? All of the above? Do you allow destruction of property, but not people? Five hundred earthquakes per day are recorded. Should all of them be prevented? Unfortunately, as soon as you select one aspect of nature for divine intervention, you exclude another. In the end, no one is happy. Jesus addressed this area in Luke 13 when a tower topples and killed eighteen people: " Of those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Everyone needs the Lord, regardless of his or her circum- stances.
Simply put, disasters such as these have a place on this earth and a purpose in heaven. We live in a fallen world, spiritually and physically. Strangely enough, good can come of disasters. Warning systems will now be put in place (barns get sprinklers
after fires!) and relief agencies gain valuable insight regarding the appropriate responses. Scientists say that tsunamis have a good effect on the earth, but it only shows up years later: the topsoil that is washed up on the mainland contains nutrients that wash away over years. If earthquakes above and below the water didn't occur, one day this planet would simply explode!
There is another aspect to all of this and that is the purpose in heaven. Recently, a farm in Ontario was found to have many horses near death due to starvation and neglect. Fortunately, many volunteers from the backstretch and racing industry rallied to help the horses with products like blankets, food and time and effort. People saw a need and responded. I have spoken to back- stretch people who have contributed to relieving the effects of both these tragedies. Some gave to tsunami relief (Ed even adopted a child through World Vision!), some travelled collectively to the affected farm to care for the animals. God loves nothing better than to see His people live out the Golden Rule: treat others, as you would like to be treated. Jesus said it best: 37" Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
A Gem of a Jockey Challenge
By Chris Lomon
Chalk up a victory for the home team.
Barbadian jockeys took the second annual Colombian Emeralds International Jockey Championship on New Years Day, in an event that, ironically enough, came right down to the wire.
Fans who packed the Garrison Savannah stands hardly walked away disappointed, as Team Barbados defeated Team England by a final count of 76 to 65 in the three-race event that featured four Woodbine- based riders, including Patrick Husbands.
The English team featured Richard Quinn, Joseph Fanning, Steven Drowne and Dennis Sweeney from England, along with invitees, Woodbine-based Chantal Sutherland, and locally based, Zimbabwean born, Donovan Yeo.
The competition featured the top three jockeys in the standings in Barbados, newly crowned 2004 champion Anderson Trotman, along with Juan Crawford and Anderson Ward. Toronto oval regulars and Barbados natives Patrick Husbands, Jono Jones and Slade Callaghan, were the other members of the squad.
Local Jockeys Association President Randy Cumberbatch, who was enlisted to ride to replace Andy Ward, won the individual jockey award, leading all riders with 26 points. There was a tie for second place with Fergus Sweeney and Juan Crawford accumulating 22 points each.
It was Cumberbatch who sealed victory for the home side, as he piloted Winforce to victory in race six on the afternoon card of racing.
Race Four was the first race of the
Championship, as Juan Crawford, on Lord Michael Taylor's Captain P.J., seized the early lead and couldn't be collared, giving Barbados their first win and an early lead.
Randy Cumberbatch finished sharply with Good Intent to be second, while English jockey Steven Drowne finished third on Who's Wavering. Highland Waters was fourth with Fergus Sweeney.
In the second Championship race, the English jockeys gained a measure of revenge by sweeping the first four positions.
Sweeney, on Bandalero, utilized a rail-skimming ride to cross the line an easy winner. A late-charging Flying Antique, with Richard Quinn up, got up for second. Flushing Meadows, with Joseph Fanning, was third and Esperanza, with Drowne, was fourth.
The stewards called a subsequent inquiry, however, and then demoted Flushing Meadows to fifth, promoted Esperanza to third and Senor Clemente, with Anderson Trotman, to fourth from fifth.
Heading into the third race of the series, the title was up for grabs, but Cumberbatch's sly ride on the afore- mentioned Winforce sealed it for Barbados. Four-time Sovereign Award winner Patrick Husbands, aboard Nice Reality, finished second, while Juan Crawford, on Don Anglesonny, was third. Richard Quinn was fourth with March Blues.
Chantal Sutherland, a two-time Sovereign Award winner (Top Apprentice in 2001 and 2002) made her riding debut in Barbados a winning one, as the 28-year-old rode the Nazih Issa trained Maeve ($11.80) to victory in the first race of the day.
Did You Know...
That the Breeders’ Cup Limited Board of Directors approved a weight-for-
age condition for all Grade 1 races receiving Breeders’ Cup purse funds. The recommendation was put forth by the Racing and Nominations
Committee and approved on January 9. The weight-for-age conditions will begin July 1, 2005 stating that the board feels that there should be a level playing field in all Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup program races.
Tel: 905-571-2525 Fax: 905-571-0404
English Team from left are Donnovan Yeo(South Africa -- special invi- tee); Joseph Fanning; Fergus Sweeney; Steven Drowne; Chantal Sutherland (Canada -- special invitee) and Richard Quinn (Captain).
Barbados Team from left (standing) Patrick Husbands BSS (Captain); (Peter Allan -- CEO Colombian Emeralds International -- sponsors of the event); Anderson Trotman (2004 Champion Jockey Of Barbados); Jono Jones; Slade Callaghan; (stooping) Randy Cumberbatch (winner of the individual title) and Juan Crawford.
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