Page 31 - December 2007 The Game
P. 31

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
The Game, December 2007 31
The Press Box Continued.....
Classy Move
by a Classy Guy
By Jackie Humber
The  nal day of racing at Hastings started with a free breakfast for all the backstretch personnel. 2007 leading Trainer, Troy Taylor and his owners paid the tab for the entire breakfast, which consisted of hot- cakes and sausages for everyone. Taylor, a man of few words was humble when everyone thanked him. “Well I think everyone worked real hard this season and they just deserve something nice,” he said. It was a classy gesture made by a trainer whom last won the leading trainer honors back in 1963.
Hastings
2007 Leading Trainer,Troy Taylor (back left) with Assistant Mel Beveridge (standing at right) and owners.
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sharply-dressed railbird. From this vantage point, I learned how to lose my money even quicker than I had lost it when I sat in the stands. To not be touted off a horse while in the company of seasoned turf scribes became a test of my will.
Across from the window is a wall of black and white portraits of those who have had the fortune of spend-
ing time in the box. Among them are Mickey Rooney,
Bill Shoemaker, John Candy, former Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell and Tim Conway, with his hand jokingly
in the pocket of a fellow horseplayer. Above the wall is a TV which is continuously being switched from one track to another. One might assume that arguments would erupt regarding what track to watch and when, but like all other human transactions up here, this too is conducted in the spirit of equine camaraderie.
I soon discovered that one of the perks in the box is
the pressman’s lunch. A few minutes before or after the
 rst race a cart of food and a case of beer appears. As
soon as it crosses the threshold into the box, Ralph takes responsibility of the contents, loading the beers into the fridge, pulling off the cellophane of whatever has been sent up from the kitchen, and setting out the plates. Why he does this I cannot say. He covered the photo side of the track for The Vancouver Sun for decades, is now retired and perhaps likes a bit of work now and then. The others appreciate his efforts very much and he simply nods and says: “What will this place look like when I’m no longer here?”
After Ralph lays things out, the scribes eat, either complementing or cursing the cooks below depending upon what’s been sent up. “Chicken again!” cries Dennis from the far corner. “How did they disguise it this time?” Still, he ladles some onto a plate and kills the taste later with
a cigar. When the utensils are washed, they are promptly hidden in nooks and crannies, which
are also  lled with other hideables:
copies of the Form, pens, etc. Beer
caps are twisted off and the scribes
return to the races.
news in review
The Reade Baker trained, Jus Luk Stable owned 2 year-old Pennsylva- nia-bred colt, Notgivinmyloveaway, was a convincing winner in the $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes on November 24 at Philadelphia Park. A $26,400 bonus for Pennsylva- nia breds brought the take home for  rst to $63,000.
There is no time more fitting to say “Thank You”
& to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season
&aNewYearof Health & Happiness
Jockeys Todd Kabel & Chantal Sutherland & Agent John Bell
Richard Moylan & Judy Hulley
Hunterview Farm
Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas
and a Happy Holiday Season!
North of Hwy #9, Between Airport Rd. & Hwy. #50 993445Mono-AdjalaTownline,RR#5,Orangeville,ON L9W2Z2
Farm: 519-940-0319 Cell: 416-999-1249
On the last weekend of the meet the atmosphere on the roof had a touch of sadness akin to that which boys might feel when summer camp empties out. We had all shared something that we loved one weekend after the next, and now we had to part from it for the cold rainy months ahead. We pooled some money together to give to the waiter who had brought up our refreshments during the meet. Unlike Schopenhauer, we didn’t mind so much all of the horse talk that had gone on.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas & a Joyous New Year
To all my Sta , Owners, Partners, Friends & Racing Fans
Thank You
& Good Luck in 2008!
Roger L. Attfield Racing Stable
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email: r.olguin@sympatico.ca
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