Page 19 - July 2007 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper The Game, July 2007 19
Patrick Husbands aboard 3-year-old filly Sealy Hill (Point Given - Boston Twist, by Boston Harbor) winning the Labatt Woodbine Oaks on June 10 at Woodbine.
Michael Burns photo courtesy of WEG
George Ho Sang named 2007 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award
Jockey George Ho Sang, a dominant force in Caribbean and Canadian racing circles, was named the 2007 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award presented on Oaks Day at Woodbine June 10.
Born April 1, 1954 in Jamaica, Ho Sang launched his riding career in his homeland in 1970 competing at a high level until his retirement in 1998.
Of all his accomplishments, which included two Ontario riding titles (1979, 1981), Ho Sang puts the Gomez Award as one of the most significant.
"This means so much because Avelino was like a big brother to me," said Ho Sang, who dominated the racing scene at Jamaica's Caymanas Park in the first half of the 1970s, before coming to Canada in 1976. "He was my guardian, he was my friend. I always remember the way he made me laugh."
Ho Sang also had a lasting impression on those he
rode with, including 2002 Gomez Award recipient, Woodbine-based jockey Richard Dos Ramos.
"He opened the
door for riders in
the Caribbean
wanting to come to
Canada," said Dos
Ramos, who hails from Trinidad. "We sat beside each other in the jockeys' room for years at Woodbine. He was a very good rider, a very smart rider. I'm thrilled for George."
Michael Burns photo courtesy of WEG
Former jockey George Ho Sang
Celebrity Drawmasters for the Classics at Woodbine
Michael Burns photo courtesy of WEG
Photo Right - World and Olympic Speed Skating Champion, Cindy Klassen (left) and Canadian born and raised, 2007 Stanley Cup winning player, Brad May of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, flank Trainer Sid Attard (right) and his nephew trainer Kevin Attard after the post position draw for the 148th running of the Queen’s Plate. Jigg’s Coz trained by Sid finished third in the Plate behind Kevin’s charge, Alezzandro who finished second to winner MIke Fox.
Michael Burns photo courtesy of WEG
Jockey Patrick Husbands and trainer Mark Casse teamed up to win the three Stakes races being offered on June 10 at Woodbine, including the $500,000 Labatt Woodbine Oaks.
The winning began with the $125,000 Victoria Park Stakes with the Woodford Racing owned Approval Rating and stable mate, the Charles LaLoggia owned, Skip Code finishing one/two.
Silky Smooth, also owned by Woodford Racing, was the winner of the $100,000 Alywow Stakes and Melnyk Racing Stables’ Sealy Hill rounded off the jockey/trainer hattrick by winning the Oaks.
The Woodford Racing owned Legal Move made it four stakes in a row for trainer Mark Casse, and jockey Patrick Husbands, by winning the $125,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes the following Wednesday, June 13 during evening racing at Woodbine.
Toronto Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell was the guest drawmaster for the Labatt Woodbine Oaks. Sam towers over jockeys (l to r) Ray Sabourin, Jono Jones, Richard Dos Ramos and Todd Kabel during the draw which was held at Woodbine Entertainment Group’s WEGZ Stadium Bar on June 7.
TTRC Awards - June 17
TTRC Directors Wilf Wood (left) Don Burton and Fern Chretien (right) present Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson with the TTRC Leading Apprentice Award for 2006 during the 45th Annual Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club Awards Day on June 17 at Woodbine Racetrack
Michael Burns photo courtesy of WEG
Barbados Day at Woodbine - June 23
Quelle Beaute, under Robert Landry, won the 6 1/2-furlong Incitatus Cup, on Barbados Day, Saturday, June 23 at Woodbine.
Sent off at 13-1, the Roger Attfield-trained daughter of Silver Deputy was full of run down the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch, to take her third lifetime win from 11 starts.
The race is named in honour of one of Barbados’ most famous racehorses. In 1997, Incitatus won the Barbados Gold Cup and went on to enjoy great success in Canada, including a victory in the 2000 King Edward Breeders' Cup Stakes.
TTRC Directors (left to right) Ev Dorey, Gail Livingstone, Patrick De Caires and Fern Chretien (right), present Lisa Balaz and Tammy Samuel-Balaz of Sam-Son Farm with the TTRC Award for Leading Money Winning Owner for 2006.
(left to right) Stephanie, Jamie and Janice Attard; Frank Merrill Jr. Sid Attard and TTRC Directors Patrick De Caires and Fern Chretien, present Sid with the Frank Merrill Jr. Memorial Trophy for Leading Trainer 2006.
(left to right) TTRC Director Patrick De Caires and Daily Racing Form Editor Bill Tallon, present Vernon and Pat Fernandes with the TTRC Claiming Horse of the Year - Cold War