Page 5 - March 2007 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper The Game, March 2007 5
Fort Erie Loses Bison City Stakes to Woodbine
A number of changes at Fort Erie means fewer days of racing for the 2007 season and a change of venue for the Bison City Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Tiara for three year old fillies. This race, at a mile and a sixteenth, will now be run at Woodbine.
“We restructured our purse account to get more money for our Fort Erie-based horses,” said Daryl Wells Jr., Director of Communications for the Fort. “In agreement with the HPBA, we reduced the number of race days from 104 to 84 and, by doing that, we’re unable to continue on with the Bison City.”
The Bison City will continue to carry a purse of $250,000.
“We’ll also have the Daryl Wells Memorial,” said Wells, referring to the five furlong race on the turf named for his late father, Woodbine’s long-time race caller, “and the Ernie Samuels Memorial, also five furlongs on the grass.”
The Fort Erie backstretch will open on March 25 and opening day is May 5, coinciding, as usual, with the running of the Kentucky Derby which local racing fans will be able to enjoy through simulcasting.
“Then we run Mondays and Tuesdays during the month of May,” said Wells. “That is basically our top wagering days because our signal is sent all through Canada and North America. When we get to the month of June, we’re going to race Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.”
To pare down from 104 racing dates to 84, Fort Erie has elected to discontinue racing on Saturdays. The wagering totals for that day were usually compromised by the available signals of several American tracks and, consequently, the Fort Erie handle tended to be weaker than on any other day.
Even still, Wells is saddened by the loss of Saturday racing.
“Can you imagine a beautiful warm summer Saturday and there will be no live racing at the Fort?” he laments. “It’s going to be strange.”
Adding to the track’s uncertainty is that it’s probably up for sale. Its present owners, Nordic Gaming, are listening to various shoppers.
“We do have a couple of interested parties right now,” says Wells. “One group is in the process of doing their due diligence, but even with that, it’s business as usual.”
Wells says Fort Erie is planning a number of promotions.
“Obviously, the big one is opening day,” he says, “This year we will open on Kentucky Derby day. We’ll have dollar hot dogs and soft drinks, some live music and a lot of contests and giveaways throughout the afternoon. Fathers’ Day, which is June 17, we’ll have more dollar hot dogs and we’ll be giving away fleece blankets, courtesy of the HPBA.”
The Prince of Wales Stakes, second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run on July 15th and Wells told The Game that Sundays in August could be lucrative for several lucky fans.
“Once again we’ll do our cash giveaways, sponsored by the HPBA,” he says. “On every Sunday in August, we’ll give away three $1,000 prizes. On the final Sunday, we’ll also give away two trips, similar to last year when it was to the Caribbean and to the Breeders’ Cup.”
2006 BC Derby and Alberta Derby winner, Halo Steven, suffered a fatal heart attack after a morning workout at Santa Anita racecourse in early February. His trainer, John Sadler reported that the 4-year-old gelding had completed a six- furlong workout when he collapsed and died on the track.
A multiple stakes winner, Halo Steven (by Halo’s Image) finished fifth in his 2007 debut in the G2 $200,000 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes on
January 13 at Santa Anita.
Heads Up!
THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING A YEARLING THIS YEAR?
Come by & check out our quality consignment:
• Pleasantly Perfect
• Bold Executive • Halo’s Image • Tenpins • and More!
519-369-5433 or 519-378-4770
◊ Glorious Song
◊ Bold Executive
◊ Beau Genius
◊ Golden Choice
◊ Rainbow Connection ◊ Bad Hat
GERRY BELANGER Bel Ange Bloodstock
CHAMPIONS & LEADING SIRES A SPECIALTY
Sales - Racing - Syndications - Partnerships
Check these future champions...
f. Storm Boot - Re Lyd, by Discover f. Rossini - Karsavina, by Theatrical
f. Sligo Bay - Skip Lightly, by Skip Trial c. Glitterman - Ack to Win, by Ack Ack
Call Gerry Today
gerry@gerrybelanger.com • www.gerrybelanger.com • 416.271.9721
NORTH AMERICAN STAKES SERVICES
Stakes Schedules & Closing Dates for all racetracks in North America
1-866-886-5827 www.nastakes.com
Queen Elizabeth ll at the Kentucky Derby?
It could be quite the amazing scene if Queen Elizabeth ll attends the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs this year. Apparently it is on the Queen’s agenda to be in Kentucky the first week of May as part of a visit to mark the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia. The U.S. Secret Service is preparing for the possibility that she will personally be at the track when the nation’s best three year olds go a mile and a quarter in the first jewel of thoroughbred racing’s triple crown.
Both the Secret Service and the Royal Palace are being tight-lipped about the Queen’s plans and no one is making promises. Even Churchill Downs, which would reap extraordinary exposure from a royal drop-in, is being non-committal. Track spokesman John Asher said only that Churchill Downs is “aware of the
possibility”, but of course, no confirmation was coming from that quarter.
If it did happen, it would be the first Kentucky Derby for Queen Elizabeth ll. Her sister, Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowden, were guests for the 1974 Running of the Roses.
The Queen has visited Woodbine for three Queen’s Plates; in 1959 she presented the trophy to E.P. Taylor when his Windfields Farm colt New Providence won the Plate; she was at the 1973 running taken by Stafford Farms’ Amber Herod; and in 1997, Queen Elizabeth witnessed Frank Stronach’s Awesome Again outclassing his rivals in Canada’s most important race.
As well, the Queen’s mother saw six plates; 1939, 1962, 1974, 1979, 1981 and 1989. - PG
Halo Steven Dies at Santa Anita
PATROL Lear Fan - Maid for Walking, by Prince Sabo
A Top Polytrack Pedigree by LEAR FAN,
Sire of G1 Winner WINDSHARP, Canadian Champion CHOPININA, & Champion 2-year-old SIKESTON
His Yearlings look great.
Book him now while his fee is Only $2,500 l.f.
ONE WAY LOVE Regal Classic - First Class Gal, by Geiger Counter
Captured the Hearts of Breeders In Canada.
Only Stallion in Canada to Cover more than 100 Mares.
A Leading Sire of 2-Year-Olds. 2007 Fee: $5,500 l.f
T.C. Westmeath Stud Farm John Carey - Telephone:519-925-1445 Fax:519-925-1594