In the aftermath of yet another fascinating performance this past weekend by INFINITE PATIENCE (Sungold – Montero by Louis Quatorze) – this time at Century Mile in Edmonton –there’s a good chance the 5-year-old BC-bred mare will be making another appearance at Hastings Racecourse as early as September 10.
“We’re looking at the Delta Colleen on BC Derby Day,” says Bill DeCoursey, breeder and co-owner of Infinite Patience. “We’ll see what shape she’s in when she returns.”
DeCoursey, his hockey-playing partner Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Hastings leading trainer Barbara Heads will be comparing notes to determine what’s next for their prized possession. Having Infinite Patience run in the $50,000 Delta Colleen Stakes on September 10 would be the ultimate topping for the richest and most celebrated card on the local thoroughbred racing calendar.
It features the 75th running of the $125,000 Grade 3 BC Derby for 3-year-olds and 57th running of the $75,000 BC Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Both are returning to Hastings Racecourse after two-year absences due to the Covid pandemic. The Delta Colleen for 3-year-olds & up fillies and mares and $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate for 3-year-olds & up co-headline BC Derby Day.
Infinite Patience extended her win streak to eight straight with a record-setting time of 1.33.65 last Saturday (86 Beyer Speed Figure) in the $100,000 Northlands Distaff under the guidance of regular rider Antonio Reyes. It was her second consecutive Distaff victory as part of Canadian Derby Day at Century Mile.
Infinite Patience has won 13 of 18 career starts and over $395,000 (US).
The Heads-Reyes combo scored two wins in Edmonton with At Attention winning the $100,000 Century Mile Handicap. At Attention was bred in BC by owners Bryan and Carol Anderson.
Both Infinite Patience and At Attention are graduates of the CTHS-BC Yearling & Mixed Sale. This year’s Sale is set for Thursday, September 8 at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley with the preview parade on Wednesday, both beginning at 3 p.m.
*Courtesy Bailey on the Backstretch; NHL super star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and his sensational five-year-old mare Infinite Patience have a lot more in common than might meet the eye.
Like all extreme athletes, they must have a very strong team behind the scenes to reach the levels of success each has been experiencing.
With Ryan and co-owners Bill & Noi DeCoursey enjoying the journey with Infinite Patience under the guidance of trainer Barbara Heads and regular rider Antonio Reyes, enough cannot be said about the support staff working in the background.
Now, about that back-up team. Daily workouts for Infinite Patience are left to veteran exercise rider Sean Evans, who has his hands full these days. “The first round is for me, the second is for her,” Sean explains as the easiest way to please the always-focussed mare.
When the morning workouts are done, the barn becomes quieter and it is time for the aftercare a pristine equine athlete deserves. That’s when Riley Noble enters the picture. He is a 2020 Olds College Groom School graduate who struggled upon graduation to find the barn that was the right long-term best fit for him.
Opportunity knocked for Riley when he moved from his Alberta home to work for the legendary racing couple Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Bennett on their farm in Kelowna last winter. His move to Hastings last year was in recognition of his dedication in caring for some of Barb Heads’ top horses.
Riley says he has found his purpose through his passion and thirst for more knowledge. He is determined to pursue galloping duties, continuing to expand his ponying experience.
Infinite Patience takes the 52nd running of the Northlands Distaff Handicap with Antonio Reyes on board! Infinite Patience is bred by William DeCoursey, owned by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins & William DeCoursey and trained by Barbara Heads. Congratulations to all the winning connections! pic.twitter.com/jaiP2fQZPw
— Century Mile (@cntymile) August 21, 2022
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