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HorseRacingBC is owned and produced by Jim Reynolds. For advertising and editorial contact: Jim Reynolds 604-533-4546 [email protected] Bits & Bikes Looking for Photos HorseRacingBC is looking for old photos of people or horses from the past. Jockeys, trainers and backstretch personnel from BC’s racing history are welcome and will be used in future issues. Each photo will be scanned and returned to it’s owner in the condition it is received. No win-photos please Jockey Richard Hamel Done For the Season Jockey agent Gordon Rumble announced yesterday Richard Hamel has hung up his tack for at least the remainder of the 2012 season. Hamel was third in the jockeys standing with 14 wins as of May 23. There are unconfirmed rumors he may retire permanently. Standardbred Broodmares HRBC would appreciate it if you could send them your confirmed in-foal-mares for 2012. This information is important in determining plans and budgets for the future of breeding in B.C. Send information to info@ harnessracingbc.com. Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community www.horseracingbc.ca HorseRacingBC June 2012 Issue # 42 Uno Más New Stride Event A BBQ lunch will be offered Sunday, June 3rd at 1PM in the trackside Marquee Tent at Hast- ings Racecourse. Enjoy the races from the best seats in the house. Full bar and private mutuels on-site. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited. Contact [email protected] to purchase tickets in advance or use the PayPal connection at www. newstride.com to pay by credit card for will-call tickets, just mention ‘Community Day will- call’ in the comments. Mario Gutierrez And I’ll Have Another Go For The History Books Uno Más. One more. The hardest one of all. They call the mile and a half Belmont Stakes the “Graveyard of Champions” and rightly so. It is a race where so many dreams of achieving racing history have died. Of the 88 times this race has run as part of the Triple Crown 21 horses have won the first two legs (11 since Affirmed in 1978) only to have those dreams crushed at the big New York track. Only 11 horses have won all three races since the Canadian owned Sir Barton first recorded the feat in 1919. That said, there is a precedent here. Each triple crown winner was pushed to the achievement by other good hors- es; Secretariat had Sham, Seattle Slew had Run Dusty Run, and Affirmed had Alysheba. In fact many great horses had a ‘bridesmaid’ that pushed them to better, faster races. I’ll Have Another had Bodemeister. But the Belmont is an exception. Secretariat didn’t need Sham in his greatest race. Sham had already done his part in making the great horse greater. Bodemeister, who is not starting in the Belmont, won’t be needed. There will be a pace, no doubt, for I’ll Have Another to run at but this horse is now, as Don Cherry calls it, battle-hard- ened. He is as ready as any horse ever was to win the triple crown. And Mario, confident in his mount, is ready for the history books as well. HBPA Election Voting Closes May 28, 2012 There is a ballot box in the Race Office on the GPEB counter that will be available to receive your vote until the end of racing on Sunday, May 27. Mail in ballots must be received by noon on May 28 at the GPEB office. Ballots placed in the ballot box on the GPEB counter in the Race Office will definitely be received in time.

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Page 1: HorseRacingBC

HorseRacingBC is owned and produced by Jim Reynolds.For advertising and editorial contact: Jim Reynolds 604-533-4546 [email protected]

B i t s & B i k e s

Looking for PhotosHorseRacingBC is looking for old photos of people or horses from the past. Jockeys, trainers and backstretch personnel from BC’s racing history are welcome and will be used in future issues. Each photo will be scanned and returned to it’s owner in the condition it is received.No win-photos please

Jockey Richard Hamel Done For the SeasonJockey agent Gordon Rumble announced yesterday Richard Hamel has hung up his tack for at least the remainder of the 2012 season. Hamel was third in the jockeys standing with 14 wins as of May 23. There are unconfi rmed rumors he may retire permanently.

Standardbred Broodmares HRBC would appreciate it if you could send them your confi rmed in-foal-mares for 2012. This information is important in determining plans and budgets for the future of breeding in B.C. Send information to [email protected].

Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community

www.horseracingbc.ca

HorseRacingBCJune 2012Issue # 42

Uno Más

New Stride EventA BBQ lunch will be offered Sunday, June 3rd at 1PM in the trackside Marquee Tent at Hast-ings Racecourse.Enjoy the races from the best seats in the house. Full bar and private mutuels on-site. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited.Contact [email protected] to purchase tickets in advance or use the PayPal connection at www.newstride.com to pay by credit card for will-call tickets, just mention ‘Community Day will-call’ in the comments.

Mario Gutierrez And I’ll Have Another Go For The History BooksUno Más. One more. The hardest one of all. They call the mile and a half Belmont Stakes the “Graveyard of Champions” and rightly so. It is a race where so many dreams of achieving racing history have died. Of the 88 times this race has run as part of the Triple Crown 21 horses have won the fi rst two legs (11 since Affi rmed in 1978) only to have those dreams crushed at the big New York track. Only 11 horses have won all three races since the Canadian owned Sir Barton fi rst recorded the feat in 1919.That said, there is a precedent here. Each triple crown winner was pushed to the achievement by other good hors-es; Secretariat had Sham, Seattle Slew had Run Dusty Run, and Affi rmed had Alysheba. In fact many great horses had a ‘bridesmaid’ that pushed them to better, faster races. I’ll Have Another had Bodemeister. But the Belmont is an exception. Secretariat didn’t need Sham in his greatest race. Sham had already done his part in making the great horse greater. Bodemeister, who is not starting in the Belmont, won’t be needed. There will be a pace, no doubt, for I’ll Have Another to run at but this horse is now, as Don Cherry calls it, battle-hard-ened. He is as ready as any horse ever was to win the triple crown. And Mario, confi dent in his mount, is ready for the history books as well.

HBPA Election Voting Closes May 28, 2012There is a ballot box in the Race Offi ce on the GPEB counter that will be available to receive your vote until the end of racing on Sunday, May 27. Mail in ballots must be received by noon on May 28 at the GPEB offi ce. Ballots placed in the ballot box on the GPEB counter in the Race Offi ce will defi nitely be received in time.

Page 2: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

Interior Racing DatesThe following are the race dates for the BC interior. These date are confi rmed with the BC Government.

Princeton: Vernon:

June 29, 2012 July 8, 15 and 29, 2012 September 8, 2012 August 5, 2012

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Since 1976 Ann Elder has been instrumental in the development of the Mutuels team at Fraser Downs. She started her career at Fraser Downs as a teller and shortly after developed the fi rst TAB system in B.C. Since then she has been leading her team as the Mutuels Manager.

Her hard work and dedication has been fundamental in the development of her staff and department over the years. Over the past 36 years, she has exemplifi ed great service while creating great memories for her staff and customers and will be missed by all.

Ann plans on enjoying her retirement by doing NOTHING and then enjoying time with her horses and some golf.

Ann Elder Retires

Page 3: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

Hector Protector — b,g,3 - Usher Hanover-Raging Granny-Scruffy HanoverDriver Rick White, Owner: David J & Freda C Woolley. Time: 1:54.3

Sired Stakes #1 3 y.o. C&G Final

Stallion Stakes #24, 4 y.o. Mares Final

Millbanks Arie — Usher Hanover-Millbanks Award-Legal Notice, Driver Jim Marino, Owner J J J Stables. Time: 1:55.3

Stallion Stakes #24 Colts, Final

Limit the Risk — br, g 3 Kents On Nuke (BC) - Seelster - Presidential Ball WinstarDriver Jim Marino. Owner JJJ Stables. Time: 1:53.3

Sired Stakes #1 3 y.o. f Final

Yarhos — b,f,3 - Seven Seas Cruiser-Dealmeahos-Make A DealDriver J F Gagne , Owner: Ray N Soh. Time: 1:55.4

Standardbred Stakes Winners

David JamesNationally Accredited Member of the Professional Photographers of Canada and the Professional Photographers of BC.

Portraits on location: horses & family portraits

604-534-8249 www.OutTakes.ca

The jockey plays a major role in determining the chances of success for his mount. A rider that is successful generally has two distinguishing characteristics: 1. He is a master tactician, ma-neuvering his horse into favourable positioning at all points of the race; 2. He has “hands,” or the ability to communicate through the reins to the horse, asking for a bit more speed that a tired horse may not really have, but somehow manu-factures just enough to get him across the finish line first.The top riders at any given track are listed in the

racing program. A word of caution, though: check to see if the jockey is ranked by total number of wins, or by winning percentage. This corner believes that win percentage is the more important factor, and that riders winning with 15% of their mounts deserve the respect of any prudent handicapper.Often overlooked, but no less important to

success in racing, is the trainer. Most tracks these days provide trainer statistics, and these should be used in the same manner as jockey figures.One of the best keys to success in racing is

noting the first time a top trainer or rider hooks up with a horse. Even if the animal is in dull form, he may be rejuvenated by the new pair of hands in his corner. In the game of horseracing, the rider plays a

major role in determining the outcome of the race. Good handicappers are aware of this fact, and they look for switches to the top jockeys at the meeting as a major factor in handicapping.Certain riders establish a “chemistry” with

certain horses, and are able to get maximum performance from them. The alert bettor looks for horses who stepped up when united with a particular reins man, and wagers accordingly.Rider changes that are announced for the first

time at the track require handicappers to make last-minute adjustments in their evaluations of the race. The fan who can recognize the rider change that will greatly help a previously mar-ginal performer will often be rewarded at the mutuel windows.Sometimes a horse just needs some kind of

change to get back in the winning groove again.Sometimes it’s a change of racetrack, other

times, the catalyst is a switch in jockeys. Occa-sionally, the two factors can get together for a positive effect. A horse that changes hands via

the claiming route is always a horse to watch, as the act of claiming shows that a trainer sees potential in that horse. When a horse is reclaimed by his original connections subsequent to a claim, the prudent handicapper gives this animal extra points, as the original owners and trainer must think a lot of this animal to go back and get him, especially since most of these horses have been jumped in price.

Handicapping… …The Human Factor: Trainers and Jockeys

Page 4: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

Photos by Trevor Reynolds

Four Footed Fotos

Mario Gutierrez Day at HastingsMay 13th, 2012

photo by Patti Tubbsphoto by Jim Reynolds

Page 5: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

At some point in their life, if someone is fortunate, a moment arrives that offers them the chance to become more than they have been, or ever imagined they could be. And if they are really fortunate, they will find within themselves the things that will allow them to meet that moment and forge a greater destiny. For Mario Gutierrez that destiny came a calling at 6:21 p.m. east coast time on Saturday, May 5, 2012 and he found what was necessary within him. Mario met his moment and he was up to it. He was more than up to it, he

grabbed it with those two real good hands of his and wrung out every thing it had to offer. There was nothing left on the table, no should haves or could haves or would haves, no might of beens. He did it. It was a brilliant ride. He started closer to the refreshment stands than the

rail, but gradually, patiently, calmly he had only one horse between him and the rail going into the first turn. He had the judgment to stay away from the fast pace in front of him and make no mistake, I’ll Have Another has enough speed to have been much closer. It was a tactical decision by a rider who, at the same time, had enough of a sense of urgency to not drift too far back. Too close, too far out of it, either and Mario Gutierrez misses his moment. Neither one happened. At the halfway point Mario began to meter out a gradual close on the leader that would get I’ll Have Another to the front a hundred yards out with enough left to get home. It was dead center perfect. Of course, when you are riding to meet your destiny, it is helpful to be

sitting on a lot of horse, and Mario was. But a scant few months ago what Mario was sitting on in Southern California was Glen Todd and Troy Taylor horses and the occasional 50-1 shot from another barn. That was on a good day. There were not many mounts and fewer live ones. Nevertheless, he got some run out of what came his way and you could see him figuring out what he had to do to win. “Middle of the Track Mario” became the “Railmeister”, he looked good on a horse and he caught the right eyes. J. Paul Reddam, a significant Southern California based owner, decided he

liked what he saw and Glen Todd was instrumental in hooking Mario up with an 85 year-old retired agent named Ivan Puhich who had done enough favors for people over a long career to call in some chits. The mounts got better and then along came the 43-1 miracle in the Robert B. Lewis that was, in retrospect, no miracle, it was the best bet of the year. Having the Todd barn was obviously a huge help for Mario, but others

believed in him. Agent Wayne Snow took him on trainer Terry Jordan’s recommendation and broke him into a place that does not offer easy footholds. Hastings is tough territory. Most of us have been here a while and we

know what and who we like and newcomers earn their way in. Wayne got him in and eventually Drew Forster took his book and went on with it, but in the final analysis, it was the three amigos, Mario, Troy and Glen. We are probably not going to see a lot of Mario on horseback at Hastings

again, although it seems likely that he will come to ride horses for Glen and Troy from time to time in big races. Their relationship extends far beyond business, and in a way Mario grew up here. In the meantime, aside from the thrill of the race, what Mario has given us is this: the light that was shining on him on Derby Day was bright enough to reflect back on this place and those of us still here. It brightened up our corner of the world and we feel better about where we are and ourselves. We are proud of Mario and in many ways we were riding with him.

Mario’s Derby…By Richard Yates Return Of Kentucky Derby Winning Jockey Mario Gutierrez Delights Fans At HastingOn his way from California to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes, Ken-

tucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez took a slight detour and landed in Vancouver for a couple of days. His first wish was to re-visit Hastings Racecourse where he’d been riding

horses for the past six years since arriving in Canada from his native Mexico as an unproven and unknown 19-year-old. He quickly established himself by winning the leading apprentice jockey award at Hastings in 2006 and back-to-back leading rider titles in 2007 and 2008. Not in his wildest dreams could Gutierrez have imagined what a reaction

awaited his return Sunday on a race day at Hastings. It began with a noon hour news conference that attracted media numbers normally reserved for a Canucks’ hockey scrum. It became emotional when CTV BC reporter Julia Foy asked if Mario was

thinking of his mom at home in Mexico on Mother’s Day. He shared how his sudden success by winning the Kentucky Derby had resulted in helping his family purchase a new home and how he has spoken with his parents on a regular basis over the past week. Once the media conference ended, Mario proceeded to a familiar location

on the tarmac at Hastings Racecourse — the winner’s circle. He greeted a long line of fans who’d been waiting for hours to pose for pictures and receive an autographed Kentucky Derby victory card. Even when security guards called a halt to the proceedings because the first live race was about to begin, Gutierrez invited those folks who’d been shut out to join him in an unofficial signing session off to the side. When that was over he said, with a twinkle in his eye. “Now the real fun begins. I’m going back to the jock’s room to see my old

riding buddies.” Mario said later he was taken aback by the friendship and respect that he

felt from his peers of six years. It was behind closed doors, but Mario did relate later that he sat with some of the younger riders and told them never to give up the dream, that if it happened to him, it could happen to anyone. Thousands of fans signed a huge banner wishing him luck in racing’s

Triple Crown. Mario packaged it up and said the banner would hang in the barn of I’ll Have Another. Local racing enthusiasts will be able to watch Mario’s Triple Crown quest

on a 40 foot jumbo screen located in the infield alongside the tote board at Hastings Racecourse, as well as hundreds of television screens throughout the grounds and on the 17’ screens at the Fraser Downs clubhouse.

I’ll Have Anotherby Flower Alley out of Arch’s Gal Edith by Arch

Owner : Reddam Racing LLCTrainer: Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez

Santa Anita Derby: 1 1/8th miles Times: 23, 47, 1:11, 1:35.2, 1:47.4

Kentucky Derby: 1 1/4 milesTimes: 22.1, 45.1, 1:09.4, 1:35, 2:01.4

Preakness Stakes: 13/16 milesTimes: 23.3, 47.3, 1:11.3, 1:36.3, 1:55.4

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Page 6: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

Triple Crown fever has overtaken Hastings Park. Everyone’s abuzz, from horses to hotwalkers, handicappers to hotdog vendors. Even before the Preakness you could feel something alive in the air; thick, palpable, like the pulse of electricity under high tension power lines. The horses can sense it too, though mine tend to reserve their worst antics for behind the starting gate. These past six weeks I’ve had more horses come unglued in the gate than the last six years combined. Lately it feels like all my horses want to go over backwards. Three times now I’ve found myself wedged between the back door of the starting gate and a horse flailing like a fish trying to flop from the dock back into the water. As much as I’ve begun to dread going to the

gate--who else but an exercise rider, or a jockey, goes to work knowing there is as good a chance as not you may find yourself stuck beneath the churning limbs of a thousand pound animal?--I’m certain the gate crew is not the least bit excited to see me coming. At this point my less than graceful dismounts have managed to land a

booted blow upside the head of almost every one of the assistant starters. It’s gotten so bad one I confess to my trainer I’m beginning to feel like a jinx, a land-locked albatross of the starting gate, heaping misfortune upon all I encounter. My trainer refuses to believe it.“It’s just one of those years,” he sighs. “Grab

your kneepads. We’ve got to take this filly to the gate to get her okayed to run in blinkers for Saturday.”“You mind if I run to the bathroom first?” “What, are you worried?” he chuckles.“Given recent events, I’d rather not visit the

gate with a full bladder,” I tell him. Again he laughs, even though I’m not joking.Ten minutes later an assistant starter threads a

lead-up through the chin-strap of my blinkered filly. From the back of his pony my trainer keeps a firm hand on her halter. “Careful,” he advises. “She can get a little light on the front end.”As if on cue the filly starts walking around on

her hind feet; she’s like a kid who’s just discovered the joy of popping wheelies on one of those old banana seat bicycles. From the saddle I

watch the assistant starter’s eyes widen; never a sign which inspires confidence. “Keep her moving,” my trainer suggests.The starter circles her

around, once, twice, then walks us straight into the starting gate. The trick now is finding a break in the action. Horses gallop round the bullring in sporadic clusters, like schools of darting fish. I feel the filly’s heart suddenly accelerate: fast heavy drumbeats between my knees. I watch Charlie waiting for a break in traffic, buzzer in hand. “Can we go?” I say.

“She feels like she’s about to lose it.”“Too much traffic,” Charlie shakes his head. No sooner do the words leave his mouth than

the filly goes up on her hind legs and over backwards. This time I don’t wait for the gate crew or anyone else to save me. I push off as hard as I can, launch myself backwards into space. There’s a mid-air collision but at least I’m clear of the wreck, even if I’m not winning myself any friends on the gate crew.“Jesus Christ,” Sam yells. “What the hell are

you doing throwing yourself backwards like that? You nearly took my head off!”“Well, I’m sorry, but I’m not hanging around

anymore waiting for you guys to pull me out--I’ve got mouths to feed.”Searching for understanding, I turn around to

find my trainer sitting on his pony, head down, hands cupping his face. At first I think he’s trying to compose himself after witnessing yet another close call involving his unlucky gallopboy. I soon ascertain there’s no consolation to be found by the way his shoulders are shaking with the force of his barely suppressed laughter.“Don’t think I don’t see you back there giggling

to yourself!” I yell at him.A moment later I’m back in the saddle. The

starting gate clangs open and the filly breaks like a dream. The racetrack has a way of haunting your

dreams. The night before the Preakness I awaken to the sounds of digging and the murmur of voices outside my window. I open the front door to find the gate crew excavating a hole in my front lawn. More specifically, Sam is the one doing the actual digging; Charlie leans on his shovel and supervises.“What are you guys doing?” I stand pajama-clad

on the front step blinking sleep from my eyes.“Hey, Stevie. We’re just putting up this here

sign.” Charlie points to a giant white billboard emblazoned with purple letters: GO MARIO GO!“You can’t put that sign there, that’s my front

lawn.”“Hey, what’s the matter?” Charlie looks

annoyed. “You don’t support the kid?” “Of course I support the kid, but that doesn’t

mean I want a billboard on my front yard. What will the landlord say?”“He’ll have to take that up with the boss,”

Charlie shrugs and goes back to leaning on his shovel. Sam returns to his digging. Directly overhead a loud buzz emanates from a thick swatch of high voltage power lines. It’s a force of energy you can sense vibrating right through

your being, even if you can’t fully understand or articulate the feeling, something bigger than all of us.

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Equi-Stim Leg Saver® repairs the hoof at the cellular level. When a horse has laminitis, founder, quarter crack, puss pocket and abscesses the injured cells are under functioning as a result have a lowering of bio-electric activity, which causes a reduction in oxygen and blood supply. The LEG SAVER®’s wave form polarizes the cel-lular membranes and increases the flow of nutrients and toxins from these damaged cells, which increases the oxygen and blood supply to the injured hoof.

Reduce recovery time dramatically.

Gives you the edge that everyone is looking for. (Improve performance)

Fine-tune your equine athlete for the big event.

Speed the healing of damaged fetlock, knees, tendons, hocks & ligaments.

Eliminate all rear muscle soreness fast. (Main cause of leg lameness & lung bleeding)

Incredibly fast & effective. (IN HOURS OR DAYS)

Portable; treat in the stall, walking or traveling in the trailer.

Cut expenses as well as save time.

Non-intrusive, completely holistic.

Reasonably priced, excellent value.

Great guarantee and warranty.

Manufactured in Canada.

Attaches to the horse with Martingale-type harness.

Small and portable, the entire package fits into a medium size duffle bag.

Winning more events or races.

Dramatic increase in performance level.

More consistent athletic performance.

EQUI-STIM LEG SAVER®

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Toll Free: 1-800-595-7408 (North America)

EQUI-STIM LEG SAVER®

Microcurrent treatment for horsesA revolutionary treatment that will forever

change how we rehabilitate the injured horse

Also try the new LEG SAVER® Icing Boot. This new system is amazing

at rehabilitating lameness in horses.

Something in the Air…by EvenSteven

Page 7: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42

King was nursing a beer at the bar in the Coldwater Hotel when Benny Trains walked in.“Jeez King, Why the long face? Ya lost yer best friend?” Trains asked.King looked at his glass and raised his hand for Molly.“Nope, just my best horse,” He replied.“Ya mean yer only horse. What happened to Rocky? I just got back in town,

been on the coast.” “That son-of-a-bitch Sheridan claimed him,” answered Molly as she set

down two draft beers. “That’ll be two dollars, hon,” she said to King in a consoling voice.“No baloney!” said Trains. “Ya don’t claim a man’s only horse. Anybody

knows ‘at. Even Sheridan. Don’t mind if I do,” he said, reaching for one of the glasses and talking in one long breath as he usually did.“Bragged about how he could improve on him, move him up,” answered

Molly, eyeballing the little man as he drained the glass.“Move him up? Hell, ‘at horse don’t run for nobody but King. He got ‘is

secret, besides ‘at Sheridan ain’t half a horseman, he’ll just fill the old horse up wit’ drugs and break him down, want another?” said Trains, again in one long breath. King nodded at Molly again, knowing he’d have to buy the old jockey’s

beer as payment for his sympathy.“That’s what I’m miserable about,” said King. “That old horse has been

good to me. He might have his problems but he runs on hay, oats, and water and when you tell him late at night that you need the money he always finds the wire first.” “Sheridan just done it out of spite ‘cause ya beat him in ‘at cheap claimer

last week when he told his pals to bet his horse,” said Trains.Everyone in the barn area knew Sheridan had it in for King. Sheridan trained

for a local car dealer. He talked big but for all his bluster and bragging he was still training in the ‘bushes’ as the ‘B’ circuit was called. His one ambition was to train on the ‘A’ track, and the reason he wasn’t was under a cloud of suspicion and a subject of constant gossip. The claim wasn’t popular on the backstretch either. To claim a horse from

a veteran like King with a one-horse stable, went against the unwritten rules of racing. Rocky (the barn name for Rocket’s Red Glare) was an eight year old gelding

who had once been a promising two year old. He had bad feet and a bowed tendon but he had been King’s meal ticket for the past three years—an honest old campaigner who kept oats in the barn, beer in the fridge, and King in the game he loved—the only game he had ever known.“Hell with it,” said King. “Let’s get drunk.”The next morning King was leaning on the shedrow railing when Old Doc

Parsons came by. Old Doc was old school. A horseman who, like King, believed the old ways ‘had much value’, as he liked to put it’. “They want a quick fix for everything these days,” he was fond of saying. “and too many drugs spoil the breed.”“Heard Sheridan took your horse,” said Old Doc. “What you going to do?”“Don’t know,” replied King. “Like to claim another one, or even claim

Rocky back but after paying the feed man and my tack bill there ain’t much left in the account.”“Might have a solution for you, King,” Old Doc replied slowly. There was, it seemed to King, a certain hesitation in Old Doc’s voice.“Like to hear it Old Doc. If you’ve got time.” He knew not to hurry the

old vet. The wisdom came slowly and often only if the cantankerousness allowed.“Well, there’s a woman I know has a two year old,” Old Doc said slowly.

“He’s green broke and a wild little bugger but he’s put together right and the breeding’s there. He’s by that stud Sheridan’s sponsor bought a few years back. The one run in the Derby. He covered a few mares around here and then turned up dead—colic they say. Anyway, this woman’s husband sent a pretty good mare to him before he died, the husband I mean, and the widow is no horsewoman. She wants to hire herself a trainer” “No thanks Old Doc. That sounds just too much like work.”“Well, if you change your mind let me know. The mare could run and the

youngster looks like he’s built for speed.”“I don’t know King,” said Trains as they sat in the cookshack. “Old Doc’s

got a eye for talent, for sure. Why don’t we go take a look. Can’t hurt. Remember Count the Green. Come off ‘at ranch on the prairies a green-broke three year old and set a track record lasted twenty years.”“Horse like that’s a lot of work,” replied King. “Maybe for nothing if he

can’t run.”“What the hell, King, same can be said of every horse ever foaled. Why we

in the game for and what we got to lose? Let’s go look at ‘im”King’s large eyebrows raised at the old jockey’s use of the inclusive ‘we’. He sighed. “Why not.” .…continued next month

King Of The Bushes… Thoroughbred Stakes Winners

Clear the Runway — b g, 3 Broken Vow - Smokey Diplomacy - DynaformerOwner Riverside Racing Stable, Jockey Pedro Alvarado. Time: 1:18.1

Jim Coleman Province AlwS

John Longden HcpS

Taylor Said — Dk b or B g, 3. Sephanotis - Fleet Amyanne - Western Fame Owner: N. Amer HorseThbd Horse Co. Jockey: Fernando Perez. Time; 1:15.4

Ross McLeod AlwS

Our Eleanor— Dk b or B f,, 3. Successful Appeal - Pretty Jane - Subordination Owner: Peter Redekop. Jockey: Amandeo Perez. Time: 1:16.2

Overvalued— Bay f, 4. Forest Grove - Undervalued - Cox’s Ridge Owner:Canmor Farms. Jockey: Enrique Gonzalez. Time: 1:17.1

Brighouse Belles AlwSCatchAMoment photo

Four Footed photo

CatchAMoment photo

Four Footed photo

Page 8: HorseRacingBC

www.horseracingbc.ca June 2012Issue # 42