Page 20 - June 2005 The Game

20 The Game, June 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
J V Bennett...
Any definition of the word racehorse would require little more than a description and history of the 12 year old gelding J V Bennett. Bred in Kentucky by the good sire Key to the Mint (Graustark) out of
Amanda’s Song by Secretariat he is as well bred a horse as any that’s raced over the Hastings oval. A $13,000 yearling purchase at the 1994 Keeneland September sale his first racing year saw him earn the right to black type three times winning the $25,000 Tempe Handicap at Turf Paradise, finishing second in the Arizona Derby and running third in the Rattlesnake Handicap with earnings of $15,220.
His lifetime record is impressive. Seldom out of the money over 12 seasons he has raced 102 times with a record of 34 wins, 13 seconds, and 15 third place finishes with earnings totaling $429,790. A model of consistency who can run over any ground his record shows 48 sprints races (15 6 10), 50 route races (1955),25ofthosestartsonawetor muddy track (8 6 1), and he’s twice run second on the grass. But there is more to the story of JV Bennett than a stack of win pictures.
"The horse is a character," says trainer peter Stephen. "You have to do
things his way. We all learn from him, the riders, and grooms, even me. But, if you treat him right, he’ll treat you right."
Current owner Gary McNeil claimed him in 1999 and, except for a brief period a couple of years ago, has owned him ever since.
"We lost him for $15,000 a couple of years ago and when they couldn’t do anything with him we claimed him back for $11,000," says McNeil.
Over the last five years the story of J V Bennett has included the care and love of his groom Ariana Save who first came to the racetrack four and a half years ago to work part-time for trainer Peter Stephen. The life-style suited her and soon lead to full-time involvement with the track and the horse she calls Ben.
"He freaked me out at first," she says with bubbly enthusiasm. "He was such a racehorse."
"He’s very strange. He likes garbage cans and is always stopping to investigate them.
Ben’s got this light in his eyes all the time. He’s a very happy horse and shows his emotions on his face and has a wild forelock that makes him look very child-like. He’ll eat pretty much anything and loves to eat dirt. He’s very social and loves other hors- es. He’ll chasing them until they’re exhausted and then look for someone
else to play with.
"He’s also very sensitive and
likes things to stay the way they are and will pout if they change. People have tried to change him but you can’t school a twelve year old horse. He’s very set in his ways."
"He has a pretty cool personality," says Ariana’s friend Jodie Rawson. "In the winter on the farm he has to be the first to be let out in the morning and the last to come in at night. He’s very playful."
Ariana now works for another trainer but still comes to massage his back—something he likes—and to paddock and walk him whenever he runs.
The bond is so great that McNeil has offered give the horse to her after his racing career is over.
"The horse has been good to me," he says. "And I’d like to see him go to a decent home with someone who cares and she’s so good with him."
"I figure Ben is the type of horse that will need something to do when he’s done," says Ariana. "I would never sever the ties with him but I’d like to find a job for him. He’s pretty hot though and I’m not sure he’ll ever want to be anything but a racehorse. If that’s so and he can’t do anything else I have a friend up country that has a
ranch and I’d take him up there, turn him out and let him be a horse."
Ariana’s biggest thrill was when Ben won the Hastings ‘Campaigner of the Year’ award in 2004.
Although this is probably J V Bennett's last year as a racehorse he has set the bar high and earned the respect of fans and horsemen alike -- and taught us what the word racehorse really means.
Jack Short
A Look at Racing in British Columbia
By Jim Reynolds
J.V. Bennett & Ariana
Metal meets Horseflesh
By Jim Reynolds
He called a remarkable 50,000 races in his long career and his signature sign-off 'Adios Amigos' is still remembered by horsemen and racing fans.
Hall of Fame race caller Jack Short passed away in 1992 but he has not been forgotten by anyone who ever met him or heard him call a race. Now, in a move that pays tribute to his memory and introduces him to a whole new generation of racing writers and media, the operator of Hastings Racecourse (Great Canadian Gaming Corp.) has honoured Jack by naming their newly renovated press lounge the Jack Short Room.
In a ceremony May 14 attended by members of media past and present-including two time Sovereign Award winner Archie McDonald who suggested the room be named in Jack's honour-a ribbon was cut by Mr. Short's daughter, Carole Logan and the press room officially opened.
Jack Short was British Columbia's 'Voice of Racing' since he started calling races at old Lansdowne Racetrack in Richmond, BC in 1943 until he retired in 1976. His unique voice and effortless race calling (also heard on local radio) endeared him to the hearts of racing fans.
"My dad was truly a Damon Runyan character," says his daughter. "He rode horses at age thirteen, he trained horses, he
was a porter on a steamship and a dance troupe performer in California."
The newly renovated room is decorated with racing photographs by former Vancouver Sun photographer Ralph Bower and boasts a comfortable lounge area and a 'working room'. Situated on the roof of the grandstand looking out over the track to Burrard Inlet and the mountains on the north shore it offers without doubt the best view of racing in Canada.
In 2004 the City of Vancouver named May 22 Trev Deeley Day. The Canadian distributor of Harley Davidson (who also introduced the Honda and Yamaha brands to Canada in the 1960’s) who had been a large influence on the Canadian motorcycle scene passed away in 2001.
To celebrate the man and his passion for motorcycles Hastings' racecourse
and Trev Deeley Motorcycles once again held Trev Deeley Day at the races—a show and shine event for motorcycle enthusiasts and their bikes. Prizes, including the use of a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle and a $5 betting voucher to anyone showing a motorcycle license, were given away. - Jim Reynolds, The Game
Jack Short's daughter Carole Logan cuts a ribbon held by current race caller Dan Jukich (left) and Hastings General Manager Michael Brown while Jack's son Greg looks on. - Ralph Bower Photo
Jack Short's daughter Carole Logan admires a photograph of her late father. - Ralph Bower Photo
Hastings Groom of the Month
Ariana Save
Ariana is from Burnaby BC and has worked at Hastings for about five years. Her favourite horses are Work Visa (a retired racehorse she owns) and 'Ben' a.k.a. J V Bennett.
Ariana brings enthusiasm and a love of horses to her work "I love horses. she says. "We're the centre of their universe and I'm proud when they win."
Ariana & Ben