Page 10 - The Game October 2006

10 The Game, October 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Lady is a Trainer
Above Photo - Verleen giving instructions to her rider Leanne Painter
photos by Miriam Hopf
Trainer Verleen Spady
Tribute to Province of Alberta
By Theresa Sealy
Poised, Elegant, Brave, Horsewoman – All of these describe our newest member of the trainer colony in Alberta – Verleen Spady. Verleen, who just celebrated her 71st birthday, is anxious for her first career win with her horses, and surely will have happened by the time this story is printed with all the seconds she’s had. This win will be no small feat for Verleen who is being applauded by her family and her fellow horsemen.
You see, Verleen is not new to the racing scene in Alberta. Verleen’s husband Harold has been a trainer on the circuit for over 40 years, always with Verleen by his side. When Harold passed away from cancer just this June, Verleen wanted to “continue on with what we started together”. Less than two weeks after Harold’s funeral, Verleen’s children Jack, Brian, and Travis, were helping Mom move into Edmonton with her 7 horses to start a new career.
Although Verleen had always been with Harold at the track, she had never as much as tacked a horse never mind acquire a trainer’s license. Right away Verleen started preparing for her trainer’s test. She took some short courses to learn how to care for racehorses, and studied her books for hours. Soon she felt she was ready and wrote her test to a mark in the high 70’s! Next came the
practical test of bandaging and tacking a horse in the paddock for racing, both which she passed on the first try.
Now a trainer through and through Verleen is practicing the “lingo” of horseracing – “pick it up around the turn and git into ‘im down the lane”. Verleen also has a new understanding for what Harold had to do as a trainer. “It puts a whole new perspective on things” says Verleen on being on the trainers end. Verleen has stuck to the basics that Harold has always found successful throughout the years. She even studies Harold’s old training chart from last year and follows the same patterns. “Why mess with what works” she voices.
Verleen’s family has been very supportive with her choice to go back to the track without dad. They are there most weekends with all of the grandchildren and everyone takes part in helping out. Oats and hay are unloaded for the week, and extra help is given in the barn. They all know who’s boss though. When Verleen speaks, everyone listens. As Travis says “whatever you want to do mom”.
Verleen and Harold acquired many friends along the way in their years together at the track and we all are giving Verleen the support she needs. She claims we have all helped her, yet little does she know how much she’s helped us. Verleen’s tack room
door is always open and the coffee and cookies are always there for everyone. If it is someone’s birthday, out comes the birthday cake – and there seems to be a lot of them. She is a great listener and loves a good story. We look to her for advice on private matters and she looks to us for advice on horsey matters. Now and again we hear her speak of this year as being her “Swan Song”. I think we know better. She’ll be back again. After all, how will we get along without her?
Horse Racing Alberta officially recognized the significant contributions to the horse racing and breeding industry of Premier Ralph Klein and the Province of Alberta in a ceremony which took place after the second race on September 23 at Northlands Park.
The Premier challenged the horse racing and breeding industry to come together to create a blueprint for its future. This visionary thinking by the Premier has allowed the industry to turn itself around and become growth orientated.
Dr. David Reid, Chairman and CEO of Horse Racing Alberta and Jim Campbell, President of Northlands unveiled a statue and announced a new standardbred stakes race named in the Premier’s honour, as a token of the industry’s gratitude.
The ceremony coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Alberta Fall Classic, which is a celebration of Alberta-bred excellence.
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Did You Know...
That the Vern Fernandes owned and trained, Cold War, has won the last six of his races after winning the Welland Cup on September 24. It was the 5-year-old gelding’s ninth win of the year, seven at the Fort, including this, his third Cup race, and 2 for 2 at Woodbine. Only one other horse in North America (Longbranch Saloon) has won nine races in 2006.
The son of War Deputy, Cold War has earnings of $139,755 in 2006 and career earnings of more than $204,000 with twelve lifetime wins.
Jockey Monique Dion, who was aboard for the wins, and she herself, recorded her fifth Cup race win of the season.
Prizes, Awards Dinner & Dancing
Attention All
Backstretch Employees! Get ready for an evening of
fun & excitement at this year’s
Annual HBPA Backstretch Banquets
FORT ERIE Thursday, October 26 at the Leisureplex
- in Fort Erie Tickets
On Sale Now
WOODBINE: Tuesday, November 7 LeJardin Banquet Hall - Hwy. 27 Tickets
On Sale Now
For Ticket Information contact the HBPA Backstretch Offices. Admission is by ticket only.
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