Page 24 - October 2005 The Game

24 The Game, October 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Initial stakes win
a 'Classic' for Wilson
By Chris Lomon
Emma-Jayne Wilson couldn't have scripted her first stakes victory any better.
It's debatable who was screaming louder at the conclusion of the Grade 2, $336,000 Bell Canadian Stakes on September 18 at Woodbine, the person in the irons, or the people in the grandstand.
Wilson, who piloted Classic Stamp to her second consecutive win in the 1 1/8-mile turf feature, was nearly hoarse after the 1 1/2-length victory timed in 1:47.25, the first added-money score for trainer Darwin
Banach as well.
And judging by the raucous response of those on hand for the race, there were likely a few strained vocal chords in the aftermath of the popular victory.
For Wilson, who has impressed in her first full season of riding, the win was special for several reasons, including her long history with Classic Stamp, a five-year-old mare and 2004 Sovereign Award finalist (Top Turf Mare).
"I have her first win
picture on my wall and
her first stakes win
picture on my wall," said
Wilson, who was the
first rider to reach 100
wins at Woodbine in
2005. "When she was
with (trainer) C.C.
Hopmans I would breeze her for him. I have a key chain with her name on it and all year, I'd been wanting to ride her. At one point, I took the key ring off and put it in my glove compartment.
"I didn't get excited until I saw it on paper," continued the Bramalea, Ontario native. "When I saw the overnight, I put the key ring back on."
And in the minutes leading up to the Bell Canadian, the 24-year-old had her game-face on.
After closing along the rail late in the turn, Wilson and Classic Stamp bid inside the leaders midstretch and drove clear for the emotional score against a talented group of rivals.
"I remember looking over to my right and saw a blur of green and white silks on the outside of me," recalled Wilson, of Ambitious Cat, under Patrick Husbands, who rallied to finish second. "I just wanted to make sure she (Classic Stamp) knew she was there."
It wasn't until the walk back to the winner's circle when Wilson got full measure of the reaction of those in attendance at the Toronto oval.
"When (track announcer) Dan Loiselle announced my name and it was my first stakes win - to hear everyone yelling and screaming, it was a bit of realization of the support I have from racing fans. I really appreciate it. It's very motivating. You don't get to hear those cheers when you're riding."
As for who made the most noise, Wilson still isn't quite sure.
"I was yelling so loud, I don't think I would have heard anyone in the stands anyway. But to hear them after, it made me smile even more."
A picture-perfect finish, Wilson will tell you, in every conceivable way.
Apprentice Emma-Jayne Wilson (and Classic Stamp) are all smiles after winning the Bell Canadian Stakes at Woodbine
2005 Atto Mile - Woodbine, Sept. 18
Darrell Fox, the brother of Canadian Hero Terry Fox, and the National Director of the Terry Fox Foundation, was the guest drawmaster at this year’s Atto Mile Post Position Draw held on Thursday, September 15.
An emotional David Willmot, Chairman and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group, along with HBPA President, Conrad Cohen, both announced after the
draw that they would be donating both the track and the horseman’s take from the race to the Terry Fox Foundation which was celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Terry Fox Run.
The Bobby Frankel trained, Leroidesanimaux (BRZ),
with jockey John Velazquez in the irons parade in front of the grandstand after winning the $1 million Atto Mile at Woodbine on September 18.
Local Favorite, Mobil, seen here in the paddock before the Atto Mile, finished a very good second in the race for owner Gustav Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh.
The William Scott owned and Paul Nielsen trained, Le Cinquieme Essai, ran a great race to finish third in this year’s Atto Mile.
Jambalaya a Saratoga winner
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The Catherine Day Phillips trained & owned (Kingfield Racing Stable), Jambalaya, was the winner of the Gr.3 $100,000 Saranac Stakes at Saratoga on September 3. Regular rider, Jono Jones, was aboard for the win which was a dramatic photo finish. The 3-year-old, Ontario-bred son of Langfuhr, beat out Silver Whistle by a nose. Jambalaya was coming off a win in the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes on August 7 at Woodbine and is now un-beaten in his four turf starts.
Did You Know....
Lady Angela Stakes winner, Bosskiri, will be heading to Florida to prepare for the 2006 Gulfstream meet with trainer Reade Baker. Bosskiri was undefeated in her two starts at age 2 and won her fourth race in a row in the Lady Angela before finishing fifth in the Labatt Woodbine Oaks.
Did You Know....
That Woodbine
newcomer, Bear Stable
Ltd., has now won two
Stakes at Woodbine
within one month.
2-year-old Bear’s Kid
took the top prize in the
$283,500 Gr. 2 Summer
Stakes on the turf on
September 18 and that
was followed up by
another 2-year-old win
with Bear Character in
the $132,750 Swynford
Stakes a week later on
September 25. Bear’s
Character was coming
off of a win in the
Edmonton Juvenile Stakes at Northlands Park on July 29. The Alberta based stable owned by Danny Dion, who is in the oil business, is reported to be shipping a total of six two-year-olds from Edmonton to Woodbine, along with his regular trainer, Dale Greenwood.
Bear’s Kid - in the paddock before the Summer Stakes