WINDY

TIZ TIME TO GET GOING ON THE PLATE TRIAL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The turf at Tampa awaits Tiz a Slam, a top 2-year-old of 2016.

Chiefswood Stables’ homebred colt, the early favourite for the Queen’s Plate this July, will start in the Columbia Stakes on the grass on Saturday, his first step to the big Canadian race.

Trainer Roger Attfield has been trianing the colt at Payson Park in Stuart, Florida where the son of Tiznow recently recorded his second five-eighths work of 2017 while gearing up for his first sophomore start.
“He’s doing very well. He’s a big colt and he’s developed well and is coming along quite nicely for me. I’m very happy with him,” said Attfield.
The patient Attfield, a member of both the U.S. and Canadian Horse Racing Halls of Fame.

While mentioning at one point that the colt could go into a Kentucky Derby prep race, it seems that the colt is getting a nice, coxy stat to his 3-year-old campaign instead.
A run at the Kentucky Derby is a longshot, but one Attfield would take into consideration.

“It’s quietly in the back of our minds but I haven’t been pushing for it. If he has the class to run in the better races in the States he would definitely do that for sure,” said Attfield of Tiz a Slam who has yet to race over a natural dirt surface. “He worked on the dirt this morning but we’re just breezing and legging him up. He’s trained very well over the dirt, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

In addition to Tiz a Slam, there are six other Attfield trainees nominated to the Canadian Triple Crown including Bourbon Extension, Escondera, Final Copy, Glencairn, Kid Chrome and More Than Soul.

 

STATE OF HONOR, the very large 3-year-old bred by Manfred and Penny Conrad from Waterloo, ON will try the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday following a good try in the Sam F Davis Stakes. He is a speedy fellow who will encounter big speed in this race but perhaps we will see in the son of To Honor and Serve can rate and finish well.

 

KRZ FAST!  Old Forester fellow posts huge Beyer Figure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STILL KRZ has posted one of the highest Beyer Figures of any Canadian-bred runner in recent years with his 108 Beyer on Saturday March 4. the 5-yeaa-old son of OLD FORESTER – Krz Exec (Bold Executive) led all the way in an allowance/optional claiming race at Aqueduct and won by 4 1/2 lengths, 6 furlongs in 1:11.53 on a slow surface. It was the 2nd win in the last 4 races for the gelding who is currently owned by Michael Dubb and trained by Jason Servis.

Still Krz raced for Frank Russo and Mike DePaulo late in 2015 when he won at Gulfstream Park and then he raced for David Jacobson last year.

The 108 Beyer Figure, which could be inflated as the gelding controlled the pace on a very dead, slow surface, matches  the number earned by Canadian-bred Private Zone in the Cigar Mile a few years ago.
On a roll is AZIMUT, the Colebrook Farms 6-year-old gelding who won a $40,000 optional claiming event at Tamnpa Bay Downs on March 8 for trainer Ashlee Brnjas.
The son of the late Bold ‘n Flashy – Miss Florielo by Conquistador Cielo was bred by Jennifer Edwards’ Bonny Breeze Acres.
The win was the second straight for the speedy gelding who posted an 80 Beyer Figure in this most recent win for 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.01
Azimut has won 6 races in his career.

 

SOVEREIGN AWARD MEDIA FINALISTS

The Ontario division of the HBPA’s TALKIN HORSES TV show on CTV is up for a possible 2nd straight Sovereign Award for 2016 programming, There were 20 shows in season 3 of the HBPA-funded program.

Other media finalists are:

 

Writing Category:

· Steve Buffery – Trainer Marc-Andre Blouin and his horse don’t know the meaning of quit – Published Toronto Sun
· Joe Nevills – Giant Gizmo rocketing up the charts – Published Daily Racing Form
· Beverley Smith – Laurie Silvera’s Woodbine Paradise – Published www.woodbineentertainment.com

Digital Audio/Visual and Broadcast Category:

· Horse Racing Radio Network – 157th Queen’s Plate – Broadcast Woodbine Racetrack.. http://horseracingradio.net/episode/hrrn-queens-plate-2016
· Talkin’ Horses – TH S3 EP13 – Broadcast on CTV (see below)
· Woodbine Entertainment Group – The Ricoh Woodbine Mile – Broadcast on TSN2  (n/a)

Photograph Category:

 

 

· Cody Gregory – Morning Workout – (at left)Published www.kingsvictorymedia.com

 

 

· Erika Rusnak – Dashing Through the Snow – Published Ontario Horse Racing

· William Wong – Wednesday Night Lights – Published Ontario Horse Racing (below)

 

 

 

 

 

You don’t need to be a finalist to attend the 42nd Annual Sovereign Awards on Thursday, April 13, 2017. Everyone is invited to purchase tickets and help celebrate the 2016 Champions of Thoroughbred racing in Canada.

Tickets are currently being offered at an Early Bird discount of $200 each and tables of 10 are $2000. Prices will go up on March 15, 2017 to $250 each and tables of 10 are slightly discounted at $2400.

All tickets are plus applicable taxes and must be reserved in advance by contacting The Jockey Club of Canada at 416-675-7756 or email: jockeyclub@bellnet.ca

Talkin Horses Episode 13 from Season 3

 

 

HORSEMANSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM RETURNS

After a successful inaugural season where 14 passionate individuals completed the Horsemanship Training Program at Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA), along with partner Groom Elite (http://groomelite.com) are excited to launch a second season of the program.

The program offers development opportunities for those who are currently working with horses in some capacity or those who wish to work alongside horses for the first time. Due to the uniqueness of the program, both groups will be able to learn vital skills and develop a path to potential employment in Woodbine’s backstretch.

“We were extremely happy with the outcome of the 2016 training program and are proud to continue to support the development of caring, qualified people to work with the world-class equine athletes that compete at Woodbine Racetrack,” said Jessica Buckley, Vice-President Corporate Affairs and Community Relations.

Graduates of the program will have the necessary skills to immediately gain employment as a Groom (caring for the horses and facilities) or a Hotwalker (assisting horses cool down after a race or training session) in the Woodbine backstretch.

With more than 2100 horses living and competing at Woodbine annually, the need for qualified people to assist in the training and care increases every year.

“Working with horses is so rewarding,” said HBPA President, Sue Leslie. “With an acute shortage of qualified workers on the backside it is imperative we do all we can to develop skilled workers for our members. The HBPA, partnering with WEG, is committed to the Elite program.”

This year’s edition of the program expands by offering a two-week hotwalker program (Grooming 099) as well as a three-week groom program (Groom Elite 101). Once again the program is supported by Dr. Reid McLellan, Executive Director of the Elite Program Inc., who will guide participants through in-class on hands-on training.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Woodbine as I enjoyed watching the transition of wary, inexperienced participants as they gained confidence with each practice day,” said Dr. C. Reid McLellan. “Last year’s inaugural class introduced local citizens to jobs available at Woodbine and at over half of that first class had jobs in the Woodbine stable area after that program.”

The program runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm beginning on April 24th (Introduction to Grooming 099) and May 15th (Groom Elite 101). Those interested are encouraged to apply online at http://weg.bz/horsemanshipprogram prior to the April 1st deadline.