Page 18 - December 2007 The Game
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18 The Game, December 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper Leaving Woodbine for Winter Racing
By Chris Lomon
Grounds.
It’s no surprise the two-time Sovereign Award
“Victor Cooley won the Pelleteri Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Fair Grounds for me,” he recalled. “It was my rst stakes win.”
The 2007 Woodbine thoroughbred season might have reached the nish line, but for some horsemen, the races are far from over.
winner as Canada’s top apprentice (2005 and 2006) and Eclipse Award winner as North America’s top apprentice (2005) would want to return to New Orleans.
While Pierce hopes to make some more trips to the winner’s circle this winter, he’ll also take time to indulge in one of his favourite hobbies.
After 167 days of racing at the Toronto oval, jockeys and trainers can nally take a well-deserved break. But that doesn’t mean everyone is ready to gear down over the winter months.
Wilson enjoyed great success at the Fair Grounds in the winter months of 2007, winning several races, including some for Woodbine-based conditioner Malcolm Pierce.
“The shing is just amazing in New Orleans. You can go out on any given day and catch more than you would believe. At times, it seems like they are just jumping into the boat.”
Take Emma-Jayne Wilson, for example.
Wilson had plenty on her “Plate”, literally, in 2007, but the champion jockey isn’t about to rest on her laurels.
Pierce, who saddled Devilment to a score in the Diliberto Memorial Handicap at the Fair Grounds last December, will also be back, along with Josie Carroll and Mark Frostad.
Trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick
Husbands, who combined to win a multitude of races at Woodbine in 2007, are also off to New Orleans, where the duo will look to reel in their fair share of victories.
The 26-year-old, who put her name in the history books when she became the rst female to ever ride a Queen’s Plate winner (Mike Fox), will be heading to Louisiana once again, to get a leg up at the Fair
The racetrack holds special memories for the 50- year-old Pierce.
Catherine O’Brien, who worked horses in New Orleans last year, will also return to the
Pelican State.
The Sunshine State will also welcome a
FEES:
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New Stallions $200 Stallion Registered in 2007 $100 Late Registration* $500
*Late registration stallions must not have bred any mares in the current breeding season prior to approval of application.
ATTENTION
STALLION OWNERS
e a viable future for its members by providing assistance and representation within the Thoroughbred breeding industry.
NOTE:
The following documentation is required to be postmarked no later than
Registration is required to be eligible for the Ontario Stallion Awards Program.
January 15, 2008:
1. A completed registration form.
2. Copies of current lease on leased stallions (not required if already on file with the CTHS.)
3. Photocopy of both sides of the stallion’s Canadian Registration certificate and/or Jockey Club Registration Certificate showing current owners. (Not required if already on file with the CTHS.)
4. Registration fee payable to:
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) For forms or further information, please contact:
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division)
P.O. Box 172, Rexdale, ON M9W 5L1 Tel: (416) 675-3602, Fax: (416) 675-9405 Email: cthsont@idirect.com
Website: www.cthsont.com
slew of notable Woodbine names, including apprentice Tyler Pizarro and veteran Robert Landry.
Pizarro, who dazzled in his rst full season at the Toronto oval, is looking forward to the opportunity to gallop horses at Palm Meadows Training Center, in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Last year, the 21-year-old worked horses for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel
in south Florida during the 2007 winter months.
Another apprentice, Melanie Giddings, is off to Payson Park.
Robert Landry, who captured the 2004 Queen’s Plate with Niigon, will be all over the map when he heads to Florida. One of his stops will be Palm Meadows.
Other horsemen who will head to Florida at some point during the winter include jockeys Ray Sabourin, Slade Callaghan, Jerry Baird, Jim McAleney and Justin Stein, as well as trainers Catherine Day Phillips, Kevin Attard and Roger Att eld.
But Florida isn’t the only hotspot for members of the Woodbine thoroughbred scene.
Both Gerry Olguin and Chantal Suther- land will be California dreaming, sort of, in early 2008.
Olguin, who rode at Bay Meadows (California) over the 2005 and 2006
winter months, took his tack to Santa Anita during early stages of 2007, where he fared extremely well.
“Things went great at Santa Anita last year,” said Olguin, who is closing in on 1,600 career wins. “I’m de nitely looking forward to going back there again.”
Sutherland, who shone in her return to Woodbine after spending 2005 and 2006 riding in the United States, will work horses and race-ride at Santa Anita.
“I was very happy with the way things went at Woodbine,” said Sutherland, who will be back at the Toronto oval for the 2008 campaign. “This is a great chance for me to stay busy, work hard and be ready for the start of the new season.”
A season that will see members of Woodbine’s jockey and trainer colonies in peak form for the start of the 2008 season.
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