Page 24 - December 2016 Thoroughbred Highlight

Woodbine’s 2016 Closing Day December 4
Bill Diamant and Vicki Pappas (left) longtime friends of Dr. Ruth Barber and Gail Wood (right).
Ruth and Gail are the owners and breeders of Bangkok, this year’s winner of the G3 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine.
Groom Gerry Goodin gives 5 year old gelding, Bangkok, a celebratory hug after winning the
G3 Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine. Trained by Phil Gracey with jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson in the irons, Bangkok came from mid-pack to catch front running Melmich at the wire to win by half a length in the
1 3/4 mile feature race.
Jockey Emma-Jayne winner closed out the year
with 2 wins on the 14 card closing day including a
win aboard Bangkok in the G3 Valedictory Stakes
at Woodbine. This winter Emma-Jayne will be on ‘stand-by’ staying close to family for Christmas and possibly tting in a ski trip until she is needed to ride down South. Emma-Jayne and her partner Laura are excitedly awaiting the arrival of twins in late January or early February.
Trainer Mike De Paulo recorded his 39th win of the 2016 Woodbine season on closing day December 4 when Super Colerosa rallied late to win for owner Giuseppina Romano.
Ranked 5th by number of wins, Mike’s purse earnings landed him second to Mark Casse in the trainer standings this year, no doubt the result of him making multiple trips to the Woodbine stakes enclosure in 2016.
FYI - The Woodbine Backstretch will open for barn setup on February 27, 2017. Horses can begin shipping in on Tuesday, February 28 with the Training Track open beginning March 1: 7:00 - 11:00 am (no harrow break) & (weather permitting) & Sand Ring: 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. (weather permitting)
Thoroughbred Highlight - Page 24 - December 2016