Page 38 - February 2005 The Game

38 The Game, February 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
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Toy Drive a Success
Woodbine Security Staff Sergeant, Wendy McLaren, once again spearheaded the ninth annual Salvation Army Toy Drive at Woodbine. Thanks to WEG staff, jockeys, veterinarians, Race Office staff, agents, the HBPA, security, mutuel and maintenance staff, Daily Racing Form and the C.T.H.S., the toy drive was successful in reaching their goal of $10,000. The funds were used to purchase new toys for the Salvation Army Toy Mountain Drive. WEG employees and management (seen here with Santa) packed up the toys on December 22 for delivery to the Salvation Army in Toronto.
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Wes Adams aboard Red Flare an 11 year-old thoroughbred gelding who not only is a great pony but also was a successful race horse with lifetime earnings of $175,000.
WES ADAMS - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
Wes once again re-evaluated his situation and considered a move to Ontario.
Ontario is viewed by many as Canada’s metropolis of thoroughbred racing. With two race tracks within hours of each other and the healthy purses being offered, it often lures horsepeople from other provinces. And like many others before him, Wes made the move to Fort Erie in 2000. Shortly after he went to Woodbine to watch the races and spoke with Wayne Green, Woodbine’s former outrider, and was successful in gaining the outrider post at Woodbine.
Over time Wes has gained the confidence and respect of many people at Woodbine. Many on the backstretch agree that he is a very good out rider and despite all the compliments Wes retains his modesty and says it is the horses he rides that make him look good, “It’s a great job if you enjoy it. “I love it.” he says, “To catch a loose horse on such a big race track, with all the traffic we can get at Woodbine, is a rush, but you can’t do it if you don’t have the right horse, you are only as good as your horse. I am very fortunate to ride the horses that I have. I could not do it without them.”
Wes stresses the fact that it takes a special horse to be a good outrider horse. They must be able to accelerate quickly and in many cases, have to be able to sprint from 0 to 60 in a second and then have to settle just as quickly. They can’t be bouncing around and be edgy after a catch.
Although they are not racing themselves they do sustain injuries and require a tremendous amount of care. There is a tremendous work load placed on an outrider’s horse. The outrider horse will generally work five to six miles per shift on a daily basis so when an injury is serious different ponies are used to ensure a healthy recovery.
During the 2004 racing season Wes performed his outrider duties using three different horses, alternating between morning and afternoon work.
After 15 years as an outrider, coming to Woodbine has given Wes some of his the biggest thrills. Working on a large race track with lots of traffic always ensures different scenarios. So many things can happen at any given time and even with plenty of experience and good horses it is impossible to catch them all. On the occasion when a horse does get away Wes feel responsible however a loose horse always has the advantage as he does not carry a rider and a heavy western saddle.
Wes is already looking forward to getting back to the track for the 2005 season to do what he enjoys doing the most: taking care of his horses and being a reliable outrider for the horsepeople at Woodbine racetrack.
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