Page 29 - May 2005 The Game

30 The Game, May 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Allison Fentum (left), girlfriend of new Fort Erie trainer, Richard Hollett, gallops 2-year-old filly, Swift n Sassy. Apprentice Jennie Roche is aboard 3-year-old gelding, Ramisco, both of which are owned by Richard and partners.
NewTraineratFortErie
Trainer Richard Hollett is calling Fort Erie home in 2005. Originally from Winnipeg, Richard began galloping at Assiniboia Downs before mov- ing to Woodbine where he was an exercise rider for 12 years. He returned to Winnipeg to pursue his goal of becoming a trainer. Richard has been
New trainer at Fort Erie, Richard Hollett, poses with his barn favourite, Picador Kat.
The 4-year-old gelding is owned by Denny Griffin’s Raintree Stables Inc. which is based in Ocala. Picador Kat was stakes placed at Assiniboia Downs behind Manitoba’s HBPA Horse of the Year, Shanghied in 2004.
training in Manitoba for the past three seasons and arrived at Fort Erie on April 11after wintering in Ocala, Florida.
Richard currently has six horses in training and hopes to grow his public stable to 10 horses once the race meet starts.
~ Meanwhile at Fort Erie Racetrack ~
New Track Surface Gets Rave Reviews
The new $2.5 million racing surface at Fort Erie has received rave reviews from both riders and trainers. The main track opened for training on April 14. The new track consists of many layers including 13,400 tons of crushed stone for a 6” drainage layer; 26,900 tons of limestone for a 7” base; and 7,500 tons of sand which was blended with the existing track surface for a 6” cushion.
A new “Rider Protection Rail” was also installed to replace the old inner railing. The new rail is designed to allow a rider to roll towards the infield and out of harms way opposed to bouncing back onto the track. It is the same railing used at the newly refurbished Gulfstream Park as well as Churchill Downs.
New Track Surface & Safety Rail at Fort Erie
Trainer Anthony Alderson is aboard Have No Fear, owned by his brother Malcolm, on the sandring.
Trainer John Arnold is aboard pony, Wesley H (right), leading, Ernestgoestorace, with exercise rider Sonja Anema aboard, onto the sand ring at Fort Erie.
Apprentice Jockey Jennie Roche works one on the main track at Fort Erie. Jennie, who will lose her bug allowance this summer, spent the winter in Ocala, Florida and says she is ready for another great season of racing at Fort Erie.
Owner Brad “Railbird” Ezra (left) is pictured here with Fort Erie’s 2004 Horse of the Year, Lucky Tec, with hotwalker Alfie Foster. Brad says that Lucky Tec wintered well and had a terrific work on April 18 with Jockey Jack Lauzon aboard and commented that he will likely make his 2005 debut at Fort Erie in early May. Trainer Bobby Lane is the conditioner while Brad’s brother, trainer Daryl Ezra, awaits the end of his suspension from last season.
Backstretch Gate Security Officer Bruce Parkes has been working at Fort Erie for the past four years after retiring from a career with John Deere.
Trainer Don MacRae has a good view of his trainees from the fence at the sandring at Fort Erie.