Fight the good fight – Three tracks (Ajax shown from Tuesday afternoon) and some 50 people who work with horses later, I got an incredible sense of how devastated thousands of people will be if the Government of Ontario continues with their plan to wipe out slots revenue. From Woodbine to Mohawk to the barns at Ajax in the last few days, I met with so many dedicated, hard working, incredible people who love the game, the industry, the horse.
It is mind-boggling that this could happen. At Ajax, a small group of people built a hobby-sport into a business that is beginning to thrive. It’s great action, the track and slots are are super – it is hard to believe what may happen.
Hundreds of years ago it was ‘my horse is faster than your horse’ in a field somewhere in Upper Canada. A business that has been around for years now, is flourishing now, is on the precipice of floundering again.
Hey Messers McGuinty, Duncan et al, I urge you to come and meet these people at these three tracks and get a feeling for what you are really doing.
LOSING OUT – the STRAIT GOODS
It’s true, and it is too bad.
Just when Ontario horse racing really needed a push in the public eye, STRAIT OF DOVER, the romping Queen’s Plate winner, will pass up the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown at Fort Erie, the likely last Prince of Wales at that track.
Of course, the horse has to come first and foremost, and if he needs the time between races, then we cannot argue. However, he certainly came into the Plate fresh and probably did not run his best race that day.
The horses he would meet at Fort Erie are ones he just crushed and the Fort Erie dirt is often soft and fluffy, the colt likely would have handled it.
Ontario racing loses out big time here, we all saw what I’ll Have Another did for the US racing this spring.
from Canadian Press
TORONTO – The final Prince of Wales Stakes horse race at Fort Erie Racetrack will go on without Queen’s Plate winner Strait of Dover.
Trainer Dan Vella said Wednesday Strait of Dover won’t be running in the $500,000 Prince of Wales, a 1 3/16-mile race which will be held July 15. Strait of Dover’s absence means there again won’t be a Canadian Triple Crown winner this year.
Wando was the last to accomplish that feat in 2003.
But of equal significance is Strait of Dover not running at Fort Erie Racetrack. The 115-year-old facility has hosted the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown since 1929 but is scheduled to close Dec. 31.
“We’d love to go down there and run,” Vella said. “It’s a great race, it’s a great purse and has a lot of history there.
“You’d like to but you can’t.”
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/all/Queens+Plate+champion+Strait+Dover+wont+Prince+Wales+Stakes/6884271/story.html#ixzz1zkNxfqBJ
BAD BOY CLAIMED
Joan Agro’s homebred stakes winner MICHAEL’S BAD BOY was claimed last night from the final race at Woodbine. The 9-year-old gelding (yes, 9 years old) was making his 45th career start for the Agro family. He has earned $546,735 from 14 wins (he was 3rd last night).
The folks who claimed this old timer are ADRIMAR RACING AND 2329773 ONTARIO INC. and trainer Willie Armata.
Old timer Michael’s Bad Boy claimed for $11,500 last night at Woodbine. Norm Files photo
ORC EMPLOYEES SET TO STRIKE
Regulation of racing to continue despite possible ORC employee labour action
Spelling mistakes, by ORC…
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has initiated a plan of action which makes every effort to ensure that the adjudication and officiating of horse racing continues if tis unionized employees choose to strike. A vote was held by AMPACEO, the union that represents some ORC employees, on June 26 and June 27. The union has declined to announce the results of the vote.
Although neither the employees nor their union have informed the ORC of any plans of labour disruption, the employees will be legally
entitled to commence a strike at 12:01am on July 5, 2012 subject to ORC unionized employees having voted in favour of a strike. A strike could take the form of a total or partial withdrawal of services.
The ORC Administration wishes to reassure members of the racing community that it is in a state of preparedness. The ability to continue racing under these
circumstances will require the cooperation of racetrack management, horsepeople and their associations.
Officiating of Racing
Manager, supervisors, and other trained individuals will act as racing officials during
scheduled racing.
Investigation and Due Diligence
There will be no disruption of ORC investigations functions, as these positions are not represented by the union.
Adjudications and Hearings
Receipt and acknowledgement of Notices of Appeal to a panel of Commission will be maintained. Hearings will be scheduled
as necessary based on urgency.
Licensing
License applications will continue be accepted but may be processed at a later day
Veterinarian Services
The ORC Supervisor of Veterinarians is also not represented by the union. As well, the Official Veterinarians at each track are not ORC employees and not affected by this action.
The ORC is in negotiations with AMPACEO and will continue to bargain in good faith. The ORC has been candid with the union about the financial circumstances of the ORC in light of the changes to the industry.
Communication with the racing community will be mainted during this period, including updates when appropriate on the status of the negotions.
There are 60 Full-time ORC staff; of this total, 40 are members of AMAPCEO
There are 34 part-time staff; of this total, 28 are members of AMAPCEO
WE HAVE GOT TO FIGHT!!
13-year-old Hensall boy fights for future of horse racing in Ontario
By Susan Hundertmark, Seaforth Huron Exposito
While he hasn’t heard back from the province yet, 13-year-old Dean Bell’s letter protesting the 2012 budget and the decision to cancel the slots at Ontario racetracks received notice at a recent committee of the whole meeting at Huron County council.
The Grade 7 student at Hensall Public School wrote a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty in support of the 60,000 jobs in the horse racing industry across the province because he has been helping his father with his family’s horses and the local horses they board for the past four years.
“I read this letter and thought this needs to be read to everyone here,” said Coun. George Robertson (South Huron) at county council’s June 20 meeting.
While Dean and his dad Scott raise horses, train them and race them as a hobby, Dean’s letter emphasizes how drivers, trainers, track crew, veterinarians, grooms and members of the feed and equipment companies will lose their jobs if the province continues its plan to discontinue its financial participation in the industry.
“All of the feed and equipment companies will be affected because fewer people will own horses. With no purse money to win, nobody will have the money to raise them,” Dean said in his letter.
http://www.lakeshoreadvance.com/2012/07/03/13-year-old-hensall-boy-fights-for-future-of-horse-racing-in-ontario
CANADIAN ‘HEART’ AT HOLLYWOOD
Saturday, Betfair Hollywood Park, post time: 7:40 p.m. EDT
ROYAL HEROINE MILE S.-GII, $150,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT
1 Ninth Infantry K Forest Danger Sutherland Bernstein 115
2 Up in Time (GB) Noverre Bejarano Callaghan 121
3 City to City K City Zip Pedroza Hollendorfer 121
4 All Star Heart Arch Blanc McAnally 121
5 Quiet Oasis (Ire) Oasis Dream (GB) Gutierrez Cecil 119
6 Briecat Adcat Espinoza Cerin 115
7 Mega Dream K Medaglia d’Oro Gomez Bonde 115
8 Nereid K Rock Hard Ten Talamo Shirreffs 123
AND AT BELMONT, “Weeee, she’s in a tough spot!”
Saturday, Belmont Park, post time: 4:34 p.m. EDT
VICTORY RIDE S.-GIII, $150,000, 3yo, f, 6f
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT
1 Agave Kiss Lion Heart Dominguez Rodriguez 123
2 Emma’s Encore K Congrats Alvarado Jerkens 116
3 Jamaican Smoke Latent Heat Castellano Kenneally 116
4 Tu Endie Wei Johar Leparoux Baker 120
5 Gypsy Robin K Daaher Garcia Ward 123
6 Sea Island Pulpit Garcia McGaughey III 116
MARIO AT HASTINGS PARK
One Win Out Of Two Was Enough For Mario To Retain The Admiration Of Loyal Hastings Fans
They Cheered … and He Cheered Back in Canada Day Love Fest
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winning jockey Mario Gutierrez returned to Hastings Racecourse amid a thunderous welcome before an estimated Canada Day Holiday crowd of 10,000 Monday afternoon.
Gutierrez acknowledged the wild cheers as he appeared on Post Parade for the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap, a race he won on Devil in Disguise in a final time of 1:44.57 over a mile and sixteenth on a track rated sloppy. Devil in Disguise, owned by Glen Todd and trained by Troy Taylor, paid $4.50, $2.30 and $2.10.
Gutierrez fell short of making it two-for-two when he had to settle for a fourth-place finish on St Liams Halo in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors. Taylor Said, ridden by Fernando Perez for the Todd/Taylor connections, scored a two-length victory over 47-1 longshot Three Wood. Final winning time over the mile and a sixteenth was 1:43.63. Taylor Said paid $3.80, $3.00 and $2.50.
Gutierrez began his day at his hometown Hastings surroundings entertaining a huge turnout of media at a mid-morning press conference. “I long ago fell in love with Vancouver,” he said. “I consider it my home.”
The 25-year-old native of Mexico was speechless when Hastings Racecourse management surprised him with a miniature jockey statue in his I’ll Have Another colours that will stand permanently in the Paddock at Hastings. “This means so much to me,” a choked Gutierrez said. “I don’t know how to describe my feelings right now.”
His admirers at Hastings Monday didn’t have a problem relating their feelings. Dan Jukich, the voice of the races at Hastings for the past 20 years, said he had never witnessed a crowd cheer a jockey with such enthusiasm and then see the jockey return their feelings by waving back to them throughout the entire post parade.
HASTINGS PARKS STAKES RECAPS
Taylor Said, unbeatable, last 3 Beyers 99, 95, 101
LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS’ H., $49,175, HST, 7-2,
3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43 3/5, sy.
1–TAYLOR SAID, 119, g, 4, Stephanotis–FleetAmyanne, by Western Fame. (C$10,000 yrl ’09
BRCSEP). O-North American Thoroughbred Horse Company, Inc; B-Clive & Linda Lytle & Can-A-Mex
Farms (BC); T-Troy Taylor; J-Fernando Hernandez
Perez; $29,505. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, $123,049.
*1/2 to Taylors Deal (Second in Command), MSW,
$105,447.
2–Three Wood, 110, g, 6, Three Wonders– Woodnotkiss, by Kissin Kris. ($17,000 wlng ’06
OBSOCT). O-Kay & Sue Ohashi. $9,835.
3–Senor Rojo, 115, g, 6, Out of Place–Detect, by Devil’s Bag. ($32,000 yrl ’07 KEESEP). O-Tres
Hombres. $5,409.
Margins: 2, NO, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 47.60, 7.65.
Commander lived up to his name
Facing a field of proven sprinters, the four-year-old import from Vancouver’s Hastings Park took complete control of the Journal Handicap on Saturday at Northlands Park.
By the time six furlongs had been run, Commander owned a lead of more than one length over Gone In A Flash, with Salt Flat Speed and Tiny Giant fighting for lesser shares.
The fire was lit when Commander and rider Jorge Espitia exploded from fourth place at the top of the stretch and steamed down the lane to finish in 1:10 2/5.
For Espitia, the double-digit payoff was another piece of the hot streak he started a few weeks back after rebounding from injury. The Mexican veteran got the mount only because scheduled rider Robert Skelly showed up without some vital documents.
Trainer Randy Lane praised the horse-and-rider combination for coming together so quickly. He mentioned that Commander has had a history of timid starts but was plenty brave this time, as Espitia let him circle the field for the win.
Salt Flat Speed, the two-time Journal champ, made a respectable showing in his Edmonton return.
Wild Rose Turns Out to be a Gem
Rubyintheruff’s brief early record told the story.
As trainer Amber Meyaard’s four-year-old filly neared the starting gate for Sunday’s 29th Wild Rose Handicap, there was only one lingering question: Could she live up to a pair of impressive spring outings at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack and a runaway triumph in Edmonton last September?
The answer — a resounding yes — showed up in the first few steps of the six-furlong feature. As soon as jockey Scott Williams set her free, she was in total control and finished about six lengths ahead of her four rivals.
Williams also piloted Rubyintheruff to a five-length win over 5 1/2 furlongs at Woodbine. Trainer Meyaard made it clear that his participation was valuable: he knows the horse and he knows the track, which creates a superb winning situation.
“She ran well for Scott at Woodbine and she ran well for him again today,” Meyaard said. “We’re excited to have him riding for us.”
Rubyintheruff was trailed across the finish line by Alywyn, also prepared by the Meyaard stable, with Two Horn Unicorn a well-beaten third.
Notoriously, who captured the $50,000 John Patrick at Northlands as a three-year-old two seasons ago and followed with wins in the City of Edmonton and Mademoiselle Handicaps in 2011, was fourth ahead of Squiggly Gets Even.
FASIG-TIPTON JULY SALE JULY 10
Yearling season underway!
ONTARIO BREDS IN NEXT WEEK’S YEARLING SALE
16 C BLUEGRASS CAT SANCOIN GULCH ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
18 F HAT TRICK (JPN) SARALUNA UNBRIDLED’S SONG ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
51 C ZENSATIONAL STORMING STARLET STORM BOOT ONTARIO 4F HILL ‘N’ DALE SALES AGENCY AGENT
128 C COWBOY CAL AWESOME LASS AWESOME AGAIN ONTARIO 6D ELM TREE FARM LLC (MR. & MRS. JODY HUCKABAY) AGENT I
142 C YES IT’S TRUE BOJANGLE NOW TIZNOW ONTARIO 7F OAK LODGE USA LLC AGENT
158 C PIONEEROF THE NILE CELTIC CRAFT DANEHILL ONTARIO 3G-H WARRENDALE SALES AGENT II
162 C JUMP START CHERISH DESTINY GRAND SLAM ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
249 C ARAGORN (IRE) JINDY’S DREAM A.P. INDY ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
265 C DUNKIRK LAUNCH THE ROCKET FOREST WILDCAT ONTARIO 2C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT
279 C EXCHANGE RATE MAGNA CUM LAUDE PLEASANT TAP ONTARIO 6D ELM TREE FARM LLC (MR. & MRS. JODY HUCKABAY) AGENT V
317 F MINESHAFT PEACE DREAM (FR) LINAMIX (FR) ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
325 F PLEASANTLY PERFECT PETITE ELITE FUSAICHI PEGASUS ONTARIO 8F-H ST GEORGE SALES AGENT IX
338 C MAJESTIC WARRIOR QUINTESSA TOUCH GOLD ONTARIO 2D ROMANS RACING & SALES AGENT
