Page 4 - The Game October 2006

4 The Game, October 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper Polished Apprentice Wins his First for his Grandpa
On September 2, at Woodbine racetrack, a somewhat rare and very interesting rider and trainer combination paired up to win the first race of the card. Twenty-year-old, Tyler Pizarro, one of Woodbine’s newest up-and-coming young bug riders along with his grandfather John Calhoun, who is
believed to be Woodbine’s oldest
practicing trainers, teamed up for the
landmark victory with longshot
Dancer’s Flyer.
It was Tyler's third life time mount and his first on the main track at Woodbine. Nobody expected too much from the young apprentice who was aboard a horse that hadn’t seen the winner’s circle in his last 20 or so starts.
along with a large number of old friends and new fans who were offering congratulations. The only person missing from the excited bunch was Tyler’s father, former Woodbine based jockey Jorge Pizarro, who, as
Michael Burns Photo - courtesy of WEG
After encountering a few traffic
problems in the first turn (nothing
more than the riders shuffling for good
positioning) horse and rider found
themselves at the back of the pack
where they had a clear view of the rest of the field. With 5/8th of a mile left in the 1 1/16 mile race, the pair started to make up ground. They steadily passed horses and got themselves into striking position coming down the stretch.
rumour has it, was jumping up and down in front of a television set some- where in Fort Erie where he lives and Tyler was raised. For the rest of us, this was a rare occa- sion that we may never see or think about again however for Tyler and John, I am quite sure it is something they will never forget.
For a young rider, it doesn't get much better than winning your first race for your Grampa. And for a sea- soned veteran like John, there couldn’t be a bigger thrill than watching your Grandson win his first career race on the back of your horse. - D.V.
With some steady hand riding in the final furlong (apprentices can’t use a whip in their first five starts), Tyler made it to the wire first to win the race.
Although Tyler seemed momentarily lost, he regained his com- posure quickly and found his way to the winners circle with no problems. Once there he was greeted by his grandfather, trainer John Calhoun, his mother Donna, his aunt, and his sister Kerri
Apprentice Tyler Pizzaro, made his racing debut on August 22 at Fort Erie where he finished fourth . As of September 23, Tyler has had 4 wins which include: Dancer’s Flyer for owner/trainer John Calhoun on Sept 2 at Woodbine; Joyful Juno for trainer Gail Johnson on Sept 11 at Fort Erie; Mimi’s Pride for trainer Jody Hammett on Sept 19 at Fort Erie; and Pozzo for trainer Danny O’Callaghan on Sept 22 at Woodbine. Tyler also has six second place and four third place finishes at both Ontario racetracks.
According to his agent, Mike Luider, Tyler will continue to ride despite his four wins, not stopping to extend the life of his bug.
New Woodbine Apprentice, Tyler Pizarro is all smiles after recording his first career win aboard the smiling, Dancer’s Flyer, who is owned and trained by his grandfather, John Calhoun (left).
In Memory of Donna
The Game
Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
2004372 Ontario Ltd. - Publisher Managing Editor - Stacie Roberts Advertising - Stacie Roberts Research - Steve Roberts Distribution & Web - Jason Roberts
Subscription rates per annum:
Canada $35.00 (inc.6%GST); U.S. $40.00 (US$) International $60.00 (US$) To subscribe call toll free 1-866-886-5827
Copyright 2005
Any reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without written consent. Publisher accepts responsibility for errors in advertising only to the extent of the cost of the portions of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item. Also while every reasonable effort is made to verify advertiser’s statements, in any event, the publisher does not guarantee any advertiser’s claims, real or implied.
PUBLICATIONS
MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40046652 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
The Game
P.O. Box 52061,
Oakville, ON, L6J 7N5
email: info@thehorsegame.com Telephone: (905) 338-0544
Toll Free: 1-866-886-5827
Fax: (905) 338-0644
www.thehorsegame.com
Advertising Rates:
Full Page - $899.00
Half Page - $599.00 Quarter Page - $349.00 Eighth Page - 199.00 Sixteenth Page - $125.00 Business Card - $99.00
Professional Directory - $69.00 Front Page Earlug - $149.00 Front Page Basebar - $149.50
Classified Advertising $20/30 words (prepaid).
Cheque, Money Order, VISA or Mastercard Accepted
Frequency discounts & colour charges available upon request. Rates quoted are for black & white ads only and do not include applicable taxes.
Advertising Booking & Copy
Deadline - approximately the second last Wednesday or Friday of every month.
To book your advertising space or for more information call Stacie Roberts 905-338-0544
or toll free 1-866-886-5827
or email info@thehorsegame.com
Condolences for the loss of Josie Lomon
A lovely bench and a newly planted tree are now a fixture outside the bookkeep- ing office on the backstretch of Fort Erie in memory of Donna Michlik who passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 7, 2006.
The bench, which was purchased by the horseman on the backstretch, adorns a small plaque which reads, “In loving memory of Donna Michlik. 25 years of Dedicated Service - We thank You. “Hi Honey””. The tree was planted by the Fort Erie Racetrack in her memory.
Well liked by everyone,
Donna had been the horse-
man’s bookkeeper for 25 years and leaves behind two grown children, Joseph and Mary Jane as well as many grandchildren. Her husband, Joe, a horse owner at Fort Erie, passed away two years prior.
Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to Chris Lomon and the family of Josie Lomon, 36, who lost her battle with cancer on August 30, 2006.
Chris and Josie were college sweethearts and had been together for sixteen years. They resided in Mississauga with their two children Matthew, 6, and Sarah, 3.
Josie will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate to know her.
A funeral mass was held on September 5 which was attended by many family members, friends and people from the horseracing community.
Chris is a regular feature writer for The Game and is employed in the media communications department at Woodbine.
News In Review
• The John Sikura’s Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms owned mare, Serena’s Tune, was euthanized in mid-September because of acute laminitis.
The eight-year-old mare out of Champion, Serena’s Song, by Rahy, whose first three foals sold for seven figures at public auction, was purchased privately from James and Alice Sapara after her victory in the 2001 La Habra Stakes at Santa Anita.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum purchased Serena’s Tune’s Vindication colt for $2.8 million in the first session of this year’s Keeneland September sale. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum purchased a Storm Cat colt out of Serena’s Tune for $3.1 million last year and her first foal by Storm Cat was sold as a weanling in the November Keeneland sale for $1.4 million to Dell Ridge Farm.
The Kentucky-bred mare was a winner of seven of her 14 career starts with earnings of $337,260.
• Godolphin Racing’s World Cup winner, Electrocutionist, died on September 9 after suffering a suspected heart attack after being admitted to a veterinary hospital where he was undergo- ing tests for a suspected abnormality in his heart. Electrocutionist was a global winner with his most recent sig- nificant win in the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 25.
News In Review
• Champion Lost In The Fog lost his battle with cancer on September 17, when the four-year-old colt took a turn for the worst and was euthanized at the barn of trainer Greg Gilchrist at Golden Gate.
Lost In The Fog was diagnosed with lymphoma in August after three large tumours were discovered in his spleen and along his spine. The son of Lost Soldier-Cloud Break, by Dr. Carter, underwent a round of chemotherapy, in an attempt to reduce the tumours to an operatable size.
Lost In The Fog won his first ten career races for 86-year-old owner, Harry Aleo, before a disappointing performance in last year’sTVGBreeders’CupSprint. Hewononeofhisthreestarts this year before the tumours were discovered while being treat- ed for what appeared to be a mild case of colic. Lost In The Fog was a winner of 11 of 14 starts and earned $978,099.
It is reported that Lost In The Fog will likely make his final resting place at the 430-acre Southern Chase Farm, in Williston, Florida where he was broken as a yearling.