Page 5 - July 2008 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper The Game, July 2008 5
Welch and Simon lead the way in Calgary By Lee Nohos
It’s widely recognized that thorough- bred racing produces far more revenue at the pari-mutuel windows and if push comes to shove, Northlands Park may see thoroughbred racing action from February through until September in 2009 forcing the standardbreds to the sidelines for one year, a move that could devastate the industry and it’s workers.
Despite months of cold, wet weather, the Spring Thoroughbred meet at Stampede Park in Calgary provided a number of highlights and memorable moments as the track closed it’s doors to horse racing for the nal time in mid June.
33 wins and 236 mounts, the third highest of any jockey. The fact that Beauregard had just ve less mounts than Walcott is further indication that she has won the con dence of own- ers and trainers in the backstretch and she’ll look to continue her winning ways this summer in Edmonton.
Jockey Ron Blinston, a great jockey and scratch golfer, became the answer to a history question when he piloted Cerveza Tom to a victory in the nal race of the meet.
The highlight of the meet was
of course the $100,000 Alberta Derby where jockey Rickey Walcott continued his mastery in big stake races as he piloted Arkhill home to victory.
Following close behind Beauregard was Rico Walcott, Rickey’s younger brother, who also had an impressive meet nishing with the second highest number of mounts (239) and the fth highest number of wins at 28.
Backstretch Notes: The horse racing industry in Alberta is facing some signi cant challenges in 2008 and beyond as the new track in south- ern Alberta still appears to be a long way from opening for racing. The proposed $260-million multi-use facil- ity in Balzac, just north of the Calgary city limits, is not scheduled to be completed until 2010 and at this point, of cials at Stampede Park continue to move ahead with expansion plans on the grounds that formerly housed the race track. If the construction contin- ues and Horse Racing Alberta can’t convince the Board of Directors to forego expansion plans, of cials will have some dif cult decisions to make.
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Walcott and his mount now head
to Edmonton for the opening of the Summer Thoroughbred meet as the favourites for the $300,000 Canadian Derby on August 23 at Northlands Park, but all-in-all it was a disappoint- ing meet for the native of Barbados as he nished a distant second to fellow countryman Quincy Welch who stole the show.
For years, the race for top trainer was a one-man race with Ron K. (Red) Smith dominating the scene, but in 2008 some new faces have started to crowd the leader board with Stuart Simon and Robertino Diodoro leading the way.
The two jockeys regularly end the year 1-2 in the jockey standings, but this spring Welch was on re from opening day and went on to post an incredible 73 victories in 222 mounts earning over $815,000, well ahead of Walcott who nished with 49 wins in 241 trips while making his owners just over $665,000.
Simon was one of the best stories of the spring meet as he saddled
26 winners in just 79 starts. One of the most easy-going and likeable characters in the industry, Simon pushed past the quarter-million dollar mark in earnings this spring ($253,432) far ahead of his closest rival.
At this point, it appears that the thoroughbred industry could be safe, but owners and trainers involved in standardbred racing may not have a place to run if Northlands picks up the spring thoroughbred meet from Calgary.
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Stephan Heiler, who has spent time in Alberta and Ontario the past decade, had a solid spring meet nishing third in the jockey standings with 38 wins in 229 starts. Despite the fact he rode home 11 less winners than Walcott, Heiler posted the second highest earning totals returning more than $669,000 to the owners.
Diodoro had the busiest barns this spring prepping 133 starters and he nished second in victories with 21 while positing $195,886 in earnings.
Alberta’s top female jockey, Shannon Beauregard, continued her climb up the jockey standings by nishing fourth with an impressive
Saunders was followed by Joan Petrowski (15), Ron Grieves (14) and Ron K. Smith (10) while Grieves nished second in earnings with $208,837.
Jockey Legends on Tour at Northlands
American Greg Tracy who has taken up residence in Alberta nished third with 16 wins from 81 mounts and veteran Dale Saunders matched the win total of 16, but nished fourth based on earnings.
Northlands Park in Edmonton Alberta is going to host three of the greatest jockeys in racing history on Canadian Derby weekend.
Retired riders Pat Day, Laf t Pincay Jr. and Jorge Velasquez will be in Edmonton on Aug. 22-23 as part of a stop on their tour of North American racetracks.
The rst-year tour for the hall of fame jockeys –
called Legends on
Tour - started at
Churchill Downs and will stop at Northlands Park for the city’s biggest racing weekend.
Fans will be able to attend two events (tickets
required for each) to meet the jockeys. Dinner & Derby Dialogue will be Aug. 22 with the Canadian Derby breakfast on the morning of the thoroughbred race (Aug. 23).
The track will also host an autograph session with the riders on Derby day.
For more information call Northlands Park at 780-471-7156 or visit www.thehorsesatnorthlands.com
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