From the moment he embarked on his career as a jockey, Chad Beckon set his sights on making it a success story. Some six years later, the 28-year-old could be on track for his most memorable season.
Things haven’t always come easy for Beckon, son of the late Toronto-based jockey Dan Beckon. Yet regardless of the hurdle, injuries or otherwise, he’s rarely not fashioning a big smile or sounding like a wide-eyed kid ready to take on the world.
It was September 10, 2003 when Beckon won his first race, teaming with Lil Personalitee for the milestone score at Woodbine, a win he still vividly recalls. “I enjoy my job, I really do,” said Beckon, who recorded three victories in his first year of riding. “I get the same feeling whenever I get a leg up.”
With two Fort Erie riding titles to his name, a feat he accomplished in 2005, as an apprentice, and in 2008, as a journeyman, Beckon has set his sights on making a return to the big leagues. Beckon, who won 85 races at “the Fort” last year, is confident he can hold his own at Woodbine, one of North America’s most contentious colonies. “I’ve learned a lot wherever I have ridden,” said Beckon, who was voted Fort Erie’s top rider in 2008 by his peers. “And everywhere I’ve been, I’ve had great support from the riders. When I started riding at Woodbine, there were so many people that helped me.”
What are some of the biggest lessons he’s learned since his initial Woodbine experience? “Patience would definitely be one,” said Beckon, a lifetime winner of 340 races. “But I would also say that I’m more well-rounded when it comes to understanding the horses and what it takes to get 100 per cent from them.” That was evident in last year’s Deputy Minister Stakes on July 16 at Woodbine. Under the lights on a Wednesday evening, Beckon, aboard longshot Piper in the Glen, took the 12th running of the seven-furlong race, in what represented his first added-money score. “When I was galloping out, I just wanted to pinch myself,” recalled Beckon. “You don’t forget something like that. I’m still speechless. I walk by the winner’s circle picture almost every day and it still makes me smile.”
It wasn’t Beckon’s only big highlight in 2008. He was handed the reins of Pronger, a horse trained by Woodbine-based Mike DePaulo, for the 73rd running of the Prince of Wakes Stakes in mid-July. Beckon didn’t waste his first opportunity to contest the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown Series, finishing third in the 1 3/16-mile event on Fort Erie’s main track. “Mike instilled a lot of confidence in me,” said Beckon. “He wanted me to ride the horse a certain way and I was able to follow those instructions and come up with a positive result. I have a lot of respect for Mike and it was nice have things work out well.”
Beckon, married to fellow rider Cory Clark, has yet another reason to be optimistic about his fortunes in 2009. He’s also caught the eye of champion conditioner Reade Baker, a winner of 672 career races (as of February 23) and a perennial top-five trainer at the Toronto oval. Though he isn’t Baker’s go-to rider, Beckon is galloping several horses a day for the native of Port Dalhousie, Ontario, who had 48 wins at Woodbine in 2008, good enough to land him third in the standings. “When someone as successful as Reade Baker gives you an opportunity, you don’t want to waste it,” said Beckon. “There was an offer to make the move to Woodbine last year, but in fairness to my agent (Scott Lane), I wanted to wait until now. I believe in being loyal to people. This is the right time and I don’t have any second thoughts.” Said Baker, “I watched him ride last year at Fort Erie and I was impressed. He’s been working for me this spring and I thought we’d give him a shot.”
How many trips to the Woodbine winner’s circle Beckon will make during the 2009 Woodbine meet, which kicks off on April 4, is uncertain. What is, however, is that Beckon intends to make this season his best one to date. “You can always learn something new in this sport if you are willing to. I’ve worked hard and I will continue to work hard. I’m definitely excited about this year.”
It appears Beckon has plenty of motivation and plenty of confidence to feel that way.
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