Page 28 - The Game September 2006

Lord Kipling Rallies Late, Nips The Max by a “head” to win 2006 Manitoba Derby
By Ernie Nairn
The 2006 $100,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby for three-year- olds over a mile and an eighth featured a talented eight horse field and produced another exciting and razor close photo finish on August 7 at Assiniboia Downs.
The end result saw Minnesota/Iowa invader Lord Kipling, with jockey Scott Stevens rally late in the stretch drive to record a photo finish “head” victory over pre-race favourite The Max with jockey Paul Leacock. Another local entry, Quick Witted with jockey Travis Hightower finished third.
Owned and bred by Springdale, Arkansas based Center Hills Farm and trained by Amber Blair, this was Lord Kipling’s sixth start of the season and third win to go along with one second and one third place showing this year. The $60,000 first place money increased the Arkansas-bred colt’s season earnings to $96,000. After 7 career starts, his record improves to 3-1-1. This was Lord Kipling’s first run at a mile and an eighth.
Winning jockey Scott Stevens also won the 2003 Manitoba Derby with another Minnesota-based colt Hero’s Pleasure. Stevens was happy to be back for another exciting victory. “You know, he ran exactly the way I thought he was capable”, said Stevens.
He added, “He relaxed real well, in the first part of the race, which was our only concern, and he finished well. He has a bright future ahead of him. Since they have been stretching him out, he’s done nothing but run well, so we can look for more wins.”
This was trainer Amber Blair’s first major stakes race victory and was pleased that jockey Scott Stevens suggested she bring Lord Kipling to run at Assiniboia Downs. “We started him off late as a two-year-old because he was a pretty big horse, so we want- ed to make sure he was good and sound for his three year old campaign and so far, he’s done really well for us. We’re pretty proud of him. My main concern was if he could relax enough to sit off the pace, and I knew if he could then he’d make a big run on the end and that’s what he did.” Amber added, I’m a little in shock and it hasn’t sunk in yet, but I am very happy.”
The Manitoba Lotteries Derby attracted close to 7000 race fans. The total handle for the day was $383,020.89.
Assiniboia Downs Stakes Recaps
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Winnipeg Sun Stakes -
3 yr-old & up fillies & mares
$40,000
Winner: Lucky Gambler
Owner: Stewart Mettler
Trainer: Ardell Sayler
Jockey: Mark Anderson
Breeder: Edwin Wachtel
Pedigree: 2001 dk bay or brown mare, by Barkerville - Dukette, by Unpredictable in IL
Monday, August 7, 2006
Jack Hardy Stakes - 3 yr-old fillies
$40,000
Winner: Hey Hey Renee
Owner: Off 2 Win
Trainer: Ardell Sayler
Jockey: Rohan Singh
Breeder: John Franks
Pedigree: 2003 dkb or br. filly by Anziyan - Roadability, by Gnome’s Gold in CA
Monday, August 7, 2006
Winnipeg Futurity Stakes - 2-yr-olds $40,000
Winner: First Cavalry
Owner: Shyman Farm
Trainer: Martin Drexler
Jockey: Alan Cuthbertson
Breeder: Machmer Hall
Pedigree: 2004 bay colt by Forest Camp -
Wheedle, by L’Enjoleur in KY
Monday, August 7, 2006
Wheat City Stakes - 3-yr-old & up $40,000
Winner: Elite Mercedes
Owner: Larry Carter
Trainer: Emile Corbel
Jockey: Alan Cuthbertson
Breeder: Farnsworth Farms Pedigree: 1997 gray or roan gelding by Mercedes Won - Elite Dancer, by Northern Jove in FL
Monday, August 7, 2006
Manitoba Lotteries Derby Stakes - 3-yr-olds $100,000
Winner: Lord Kipling
Owner: Center Hills Farm
Trainer: Amber Blair
Jockey: Scott Stevens
Breeder: Center Hills Farm
Pedigree: 2003 dk bay or brown gelding
by Kipling - Filliano, by Jamiano in ARK
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Agassiz Stakes - 3-yr-old & up
$40,000
Winner: Gus Again
Owner: Russ Edwards
Trainer: Wayne Elias
Jockey: Kirk Johnson
Breeder: Dr. Betty Hughes
Pedigree: 1997 chestnut gelding by Kyle’s Our Man - A Wild Kitty, by Wild Again in MB
Sunday, August 20, 2006
North Dakota Stallion Stakes - 2-yr-old $30,000
Winner: Smart Miss
Owner: Dr. Betty Hughes
Trainer: Lorna Gray
Jockey: Leonard Frazzitta Jr.
Breeder: Dr. Betty Hughes
Pedigree: 2004 bay filly by Act Smart - Miss Pandora, by Magesterial in MB
Royal Challenger Breeders’ Stakes winner at Woodbine
Owner/Breeder Frank Stronach (right) of his Stronach Stables and Adena Springs leads Royal Challenger to the winners’ enclosure with jockey Patrick Husbands aboard after winning the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes on the turf at Woodbine August 6, 2006. The 3-year-old chestnut colt is by the Adena Springs owned stallion, Touch Gold out of Valid Leader, by Valid Appeal and is trained by Brian Lynch.
While waiting for Royal Challenger to come back to the grandstand, owner Frank Stronach checks out the progress of the new Polytrack at Woodbine.
Photo Left: Lord Kipling, Winner of
2006 Manitoba Derby with trainer Amber Blair
and jockey Scott Stevens
Photo Below: Cutting The Derby Cake with Amber Blair and Scott Stevens and Derby belles
Photo Right - Elite Mercedes
28 The Game, September 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper