Page 26 - The Game July 2006

26 The Game, July 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
2006 Queen’s Plate Breakfast & Post Position Draw - June 22
Michael Burns Photo - courtesy of WEG
Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist, Clara Hughes, was the Honourary Drawmaster at this year’s post position draw for the Queen’s Plate.
Jockey Emile Ramsammy, with his customary “funky” Queen’s Plate hairdo, Trainer Josie Carroll with Edenwold owner Alice Sapara, who declared, “We’re going to win!”
Slade Callaghan (r) and Mike Doyle, the jockey - trainer combination of Pyramid Park
Malakoff Trainer Brian Lynch
D. Morgan Firestone, owner of Queen’s Plate runner,Thinking Out Loud
Photo Left - Conrad Schickedanz, son of Cifercat owner, Bruno Schickedanz along with Jockey Richard Dos Ramos and Trainer Abraham Katryan, discuss their choice of post position with announcer Dan Loiselle.
Photo Right - Trainer Eric Coatrieux and Jockey “Rocket” Ray Sabourin represented the Chiefswood Stable owned and bred, Pipers Thunder.
Trainer Reade Baker, co-owner John Pepper and Jockey Corey Fraser represented Atlas Shrugs at the post position draw
Exercise Rider Joey Belowus (left) and former Champion Jockey Mickey Walls enjoy the delicious breakfast
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
Justin Stein had a shot to become the first apprentice to win the Plate. His mount, Ascot Bill had him buzzing with enthusiasm.
“I think he’s got as good a shot as anyone in there,” said Stein, “This race could set up nice for the type of running that he likes.”
Editor’s note: There was one undeniably confident prediction days before the race that we will not forget. The prediction came from Alice Sapara, owner of Edenwold, at the post position draw on June 22, “We’re going to win!”, was her response to the question of Edenwold’s chances put forth to her by track announcer/MC, Dan Loiselle. Moments later, her comment was backed up by jockey Emile Ramsammy when asked the
same question, “We’re going to win.” he said.
Half an hour before post-time, the thirteen entrants were being saddled under clear skies on a perfect summer day. Bob Baffert had flown in to watch the race and as he smiled and chatted near Wanna Runner, there was a distinct movie star quality about him. He gave an upbeat interview to Woodbine’s Jeff Bratt and after Bratt threw back to the studio, Baffert turned to him and said,
“I love it here. This is a beautiful track.”
As it turned out, the splendour of Woodbine would be all that Mr. Baffert would take from Queen’s Plate 147.
Going into the first turn, John Velasquez had Sterwins prompting the pace on the outside with Edenwold, under Emile Ramsammy refusing to yield position on
the rail. The 3-2 choice, Wanna Runner was three wide on the turn and seemed unwilling to pass rivals. The first half-mile was timed in 45.98, hardly timid fractions for a 10 furlong race, but the pace did not concern Ramsammy.
“All the big races are fast-run races from start to end,” he said, “It’s the Queen’s Plate and the best guys are going to press you and the ones we were worried about were right with us.”
Well not for long. Wanna Runner began backing up before the far turn and would stagger in a disappointing tenth. Into the stretch it was just Sterwins and Edenwold and Ramsammy had just a little bit more, hitting the wire about a length the best in 205.3.
“It was incredible!” exclaimed Josie Carroll about her walk to the winner’s
circle and the fact that she is the first female to ever train a Queen’s Plate win- ner.
“When that crowd was cheering that horse and showing appreciation for him, it really kind of caught in my throat. It was wonderful.”
Not bad for the fans who had bet on him either. Edenwold, at 16-1, returned $34.40 becoming the first two-year champion since Sound Reason in 1977 to win the Plate. The horse, owned by Jim and Alice Sapara is named for a small Saskatchewan village north-east of Regina, with a popu- lation of less than 300 and we do not know if they all assembled in the local Champions Teletheatre to bet on their namesake.
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE