Page 19 - May 2005 The Game

20 The Game, May 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
There is an interesting fight brewing at the Hastings Racecourse over who will win
the leading apprentice title this year—last year’s leading apprentice Jorge Espitia, or young Justin Stein who rode briefly last season. Both riders
have their fans among the trainers here and the real winners will be the racing fans who follow this race within the races. It shouldn’t, of course, be called a fight but in the ‘fun to imagine’ category I see it like this.
Scene: The Hastings jockey’s room. It’s a few hours before the opening of the 2005 racing season at Hastings Park and two apprentice riders, Justin Stein and Jorge ‘George’ Espitia are anxiously awaiting the call to the post. I can just hear the great ring announcer Michael Buffer introducing them now.
"In this corner weighing in at ninety eight pounds and competing out of, Brrrit-ish Colllll-umm-bia, Juuust-innn "The Barriere Bandit" Steiiiiin.. And in the other corner, hailing from Mexico and weighing in at ninety eight pounds, Horrrr-haaaay "The Zacatecas Kid" Essss-pit-eeee-aaaaa."
differences aren’t so...well different. The two young men are natural light- weights at just under one hundred pounds. Both are in their mid- twenties, both are personable, friendly and share a love of the sport. And both jockeys site Hasting’s journeymen like Frank Fuentes, Pedro Alvarado, Dave Wilson and Chris Loseth as riders who have helped them.
More importantly both have a full year ahead of them as rival apprentices.
Last year Justin stopped riding after 4 wins so he could retain his full bug-boy status while Jorge received an extension to his apprenticeship because he was injured in an automobile accident when he went to race to Southern California.
"I’m hoping to have a good year," says Jorge (who prefers George around the track). "But it will be tough because we will have a better colony of jockeys this year with Chad
Jockeys Justin Stein (left) and Jorge Espitia, ready to do battle for top apprentice in 2005.
Hoverson, Jake Barton and David Nuesch rid- ing here all year."
And of his rivalry with Justin; "We’re good friends,’ he says. "I respect and like him."
"The rivalry we have is just friendly competition," says Justin. "We’re friends and I have a lot of respect for him."
Unfortunately for the imagination and our so-called writer’s licence the two jockey’s are friends and trying to put Michael Buffer’s distortions and pronunciations into print is a near impossibility.
Justin grew up in the small interior town of Barriere, BC while Jorge grew up in an equally small town at the other end of North America, Zacatecas Mexico, But in spite of being raised in different cultures many miles apart perhaps their
*********** For Justin Stein the big thing in his life at this time is the birth of his son Owen a couple of months back. "That was maybe even better than winning my first race," he says with a big grin. Another recent addition to the racetrack family is a son for Rob
Gilker and wife Vicky.
"A colt," says Rob "seven pounds,
six ounces as yet unnamed". Congratulation Rob and Vicky.
A Look at Racing in British Columbia
By Jim Reynolds
Hastings Groom of the Month
HBPA
HBPA Employee Assistance Program
Dear Barry,
Exactly what is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? What good is it?
I’m glad you asked! An EAP is an important benefit provided to HBPA members working on the backstretch at either Fort Erie or Woodbine. It provides free Individual, Relationship or Family Counselling to those working on the backstretch or to members of their immediate families. Most workers, these days, have access to EAP services through their place of employment. Family Service was the pioneer of EAPs in Canada and cur- rently provides those services to over 5000 organizations across the country.
All FSEAP counselors are qualified at the Masters level in either Psychology or Social Work and have a minimum of 5 years experience in the field. You can phone 800-668-9920 24 hours a day 365 days a year to speak with a counselor about any issue that’s troubling you or to arrange an appointment to see a counselor at any one of 1000 different offices across the country. Counselors are also on site at both Woodbine and Fort Erie.
Your EAP also offers free legal advise over the phone from highly qualified lawyers and information on Child and Elder Case services. To find out more about your EAP either pick up a pamphlet or drop in to see us on Wednesdays at the HBPA backstretch office at Woodbine.
Barry Fraser msw, rsw, Counselor, Family Services Employee Assistance Program, www.familyserviceseap.com, 1-800-668-9920.
Skills Improvement Courses
All backstretch employees are encouraged to upgrade your horse- manship skills with the HBPA Skills Improvement Courses being offered again this year.
The Courses include Practical, Anatomy and Physiology, and Racing Business, and begin this month.
PRACTICAL HORSEMANSHIP /BARN MANAGEMENT
Start Date:
Thurs May 5, 2005 - WOODBINE Friday, May 6, 2005 - FORT ERIE Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration: 11-weeks plus exam Class size: Limited to ten students Cost: $25.00
This class is hands-on and teaches
the student proper handling, safety procedures, tacking, bandaging and race preparation.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HORSE
Start Date:
Mon. May 9, 2005 - WOODBINE Wed. May 11, 2005 - FORT ERIE
Duration: 12-weeks plus exam Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Class size: Limited to 18 Cost: $75.00
Topics covered include basic con- formation, anatomy, equine systems and their functions, therapies, shoeing, nutrition, leg problems and lameness.
THOROUGHBRED RACING BUSINESS COURSE
Start Date:
Tues. May 3, 2005 - WOODBINE Thurs. May 5, 2005 - FORT ERIE Duration: 12-weeks plus exam Time: Tuesdays 5:30pm - 8:30pm Class Size: Limited to 20
Cost: $75.00
This course will cover Rules and Regulations established by the Ontario Racing Commission, Woodbine Entertainment Group, Nordic Gaming, and the HBPA. Also the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency’s schedule of Drugs, drug testing procedures, ethics and legal issues, race office, and business administrations.
Applications and additional information is available both the Woodbine and Fort Erie HBPA Track Offices.
Trainer Testing at Fort Erie
The next Assistant Trainer/Trainer testing will be
held at Fort Erie on June 8 and June 10. Completed applications must be in the HBPA backstretch office by 3pm on May 25.
Jesse Rawson
Jesse works for trainer Harold Barroby and grew up around Hastings racetrack where his father and uncle trained horses. His favourite horse is I'm Five ..."because he's by Twanger," says Jesse. "And, like Twanger, he's a character."
He adds that he'd like to thank his cousin Ryan for teaching him what he knows about horses.
Chiropractor & Massage Therapist
A Chiropractor and Massage 12:15pm at the HBPA Backstretch Therapist will be available for all Office. A set fee is charged for the backstretch employees at Woodbine services.
every Tuesday at approximately