Y GARRY ALLISON
Rocky Mountain Turf Club
As some of the boys in the bar are often heard to say "I'll Have Another" - and most race fans at
the Rocky Mountain Turf Club are hoping I'll Have Another will repeat its Kentucky Derby win
so there'll be a chance, for the  first time in decades, of a Triple Crown winner.
Also, race fans will be gathering at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club this first long-weekend of the
Spring to not only enjoy the Preakness, live on one of the many big screens, and its party but to
enjoy a full card of live racing.
"We had a great party for the Kentucky Derby despite the weather and I anticipate another great
crowd this long week," said RMTC CEO Max Gibb. "We have 18 live races on tap for the three
afternoons of racing. The Sunday card will feature three, 350-yard Bank of America Quarter
Horse Maiden Challenge Trials, featuring some of the best up-and-coming Quarter horses at the
track.
"We have six races on tap each day - Saturday through Monday - and while the Preakness has a
pretty fair race lined up, we're putting some pretty fair live races out there for the public to
enjoy."
One of the most popular horses from last season, Manningshill Road, trained by Lyle Magnuson
will be in action in Sunday's sixth race, against Stan Mark' P.S. Bravo and six other quality
three-year-olds and upwards runners.
Look for Kilkenny Aileen, a good horse from the Wiest family stables, Saturday. The Jim
Depew-trained Maputo will be in Monday's action.
"Certainly there'll be a lot more horses the faithful fans will recognize through the three days,"
said Gibb. "On the rider's front Larris Allen is off to a good start with six wins. Larris has always
said he could be the top jockey at the RMTC and he's sure off to a good start trying to prove that
statement. There's a nice group of new riders proving they're worth your betting support, like
Juan Carlos Garcia with three wins. Vincent Alvin Palmer also has three wins and fan-favourite
Teagan Oulton is in there with two wins, after missing opening-Sunday's card."
On the trainer's side of the ledger last year's king of the Spring Meet, Lyle Magnuson, is out
front again with four winners and Wanda Halerwich has three. Norm Cuthbertson has a pair of
wins, as does Rick Wiest.
There's always plenty to do for the youngsters at Whoop-Up Downs, including the playground
and the candy toss. As well, there's the Rocky Mountain Dixieland Jazz Band and all the slots
and food in Bullys.
Post time all three days is 1:05 p.m.

http://www.drf.com/news/2012-preakness-field-odds

Alberta Downs May 12, 13

After recovering from the marathon double card on Sunday May 6 our horses and horsemen rallied to put on a good show of racing over Saturday and Sunday this week.  Fans were treated to two eleven race cards with the sun shining and lots of action on the track. 

On Saturday the feature race saw the returning Gerry Hudon reel off a snappy mile in 1:53.2 with his Timberline Court, owned by Gerry and partner Lynn Kowalevsky.  Wanna Be Cowboy, Ryan Grundy, was second and Hilldrop Shady, Brent Grundy driving, captured third after being forced three wide at the ¾ marker.  Timberline Court already had a substantial seven length lead on the field at this point so there was no catching him down the lane.  Jamie Gray had three winners, two from his own stable, James Jungquist sported a pair, both catch drives for Larry Thomas and Dan Sifert stables.

The ownership called Onemoreroundstables of Ponoka saw their Brandon Bey V capture a claiming condition event, trained by Kim Baxter and driven by Jeff Stone.  This new ownership group last year has been enjoying the racing scene, win or lose, of course we all like to win when we can.  There a lot of close finishes at Alberta Downs but the condition event for non-winners of 4 – 5 lifetime handicap wins the prize for Saturday with three-quarters of a length separating the first five finishers.  Snazzie Jim trained and driven by John Chappell, captured this event in style with a time of 1:56.  Look for further action from this four year old owned by Fred Lamont. 

Sunday saw the first of three hit the winners circle for the Rick Schneider stable, in the first race  Notable Intensions won the maiden claimer for f&m with Rick driving himself.  Later in the card Jeff Stone won with his Barona Grizzly and the eleventh race again went his way with Brent Grundy steering Sharon Blew Bye to victory  in an 8000 claiming condition event for owner Richard Taylor of Edson, Alberta.  Kelly Hoerdt, James Jungquist  and Gerry Hudon all had double driving victories on the afternoon.

A larger crowd was on hand partly due to the warmer weather and it was Mother’s Day.  Smiling women were handed roses to mark the event on their arrival.  Next weekend, May 19 -21, Alberta Downs will host three days of racing including the holiday Monday.  Thirty-five more horses qualified this week which makes filling the three days of racing easier.  Post time of 1:45 is the same Saturday through Monday.  Sunday is also Fan Appreciation Day at Alberta Downs. 

Raeann Gemmill

The Thoroughbred Industry gathered on saturday night at Northlands Park  to celebrate the 2011 Alberta Thoroughbred Awards.

The evening kicked off with the Barry Brown Television feature story and then the industry celebrated 2011 accomplishments.

Bob Giffin was the winner of The Ken Cohoe Trophy for  Horse Person Of The Year. The award caught Mr Giffin off guard.

" I was looking around the room all night wondering to my self who it may be. Next thing you know I was blindsided.

To have your peers recognize you for an award of this stature is very moving. The night was so well done and I would like to thank everyone again . "

For a complete list of the evenings winners please see below.  

2011 Night of Champions

Alberta Thoroughbred Awards

0. THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION CLAIMER

INCA BEAUTY

 2.  THE SCHANKS INTERNATIONAL TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION SPRINTER

SALT FLAT SPEED

 3.  THE ROY McLELLAN TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY

CLARESMIEZIE

 4.       THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TURF CLUB TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT

DOUGS BUDDY

 5.  THE PADDOCKHURST STABLES TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY

EMBELLISHED

 6.  THE GALILEO EQUINE INSURANCE TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT

FREEDOMS TRAVELLER

 7.    THE MOORE AND COMPANY TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION OLDER MARE

NOTORIOUSLY

 8.       THE NORTHLANDS PARK TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION OLDER HORSE

FOOTPRINT

 9.       THE HORSE RACING ALBERTA TROPHY

2011 HORSE OF THE YEAR

FREEDOMS TRAVELLER

 10.   THE LOU DAVIES MEMORIAL TROPHY

2011 LEADING JOCKEY

RICO WALCOTT

 11.   THE C.T.H.S. TROPHY

2011 LEADING BREEDER

BAR NONE RANCHES LTD

 12.   THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY

2011 LEADING TRAINER

JOAN PETROWSKI

 13.   THE TED CONNOR TROPHY

2011 CHAMPION ALBERTA-BRED

HOLLYWOOD DREAMS

 14.   THE KEN COHOE TROPHY

2011 HORSE PERSON OF THE YEAR

BOB GIFFIN

 15.   THE JOCKEY CLUB OF CANADA TROPHY (Provided by Jockey Club of Canada)

LEADING OWNER

BAR NONE RANCHES LTD.

BY GARRY ALLISON
Rocky Mountain Turf Club
Mother's Day saw ideal racing conditions for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, with the pairing of
a winning couple and a couple of longshots. But, in a trend that continued all weekend, there
were some great win, place and show payouts, but despite that the triactors, quinielas and
exactors were nice, but not impressive.
Teagan Oulton took over from the departed Nate Smith and coupled with trainer Norm
Cuthbertson and the impressive Beau Gris to take the fifth race. Oulton, with rides from Pete
Dubois and Cuthbertson now, seems to have a winning Spring lined up for herself.
A seldom-seen face in the winner's circle - though a more than capable rider - saw Hector
Rabbitskin couple with trainer Robert Gwilliam - who also seems in line for a good Spring - and
Sizzano to take the second race and a nice payout of $16.30, 7.50 and 7.40. That's a nice cash
collection for someone like me who likes $5 combination bets.
Sizzano, owned by High Vale Stables, is by Smile Again out of Chante Chanz by Full Partner
and was bred in Alberta at High Vale Stables.
Dennis Dorchester, who owns and trains Shady Royale, was pleased in the third race when
Phillip Clunis brought his horse home to pay $24.60, 21.20 and 3.30 - where are my $5
combinations when I need them?
Shady Royale is by Important Notice, by Shady Access by Obijove and is yet another Alberta
bred, this time by Mike and Linda Oslanski.
In Sunday's feature race, the 300-yard John Deere AQHA Classic, Juan Carlos Garcia, won his
third race of the weekend bringing Legacy's A Streakin home in first to pay $10.50 for a win
ticket. Trained by Laurie Ferguson the winner is by Streakin La Joila out of Legacy Tells All by
Corona Cartel, bred in Colorado.
Saturday saw a strange payout when Jackie Smith brought home Maputo, owned and trained by
Jim Depew, to pay $23.30, 5.90 and 3.20. Second place went to Somefabular Kat, trained by Phil
Wiest with Blandford Stewart in the irons. It paid $27.30 to place and $4.00 to show. Yet,
combined in a $2 Quiniela only paid $24.60 and the $2 Tri of 4-6-5 was a paltry $50.80.
Jim Depew has been supporting horse racing in Lethbridge for many years, raising his ponies on
his Magrath ranch. Maputo is by de Justice out of Iknowalittlegirl by Gilded Time, the great Bar
None stallion, but was bred in California by Magill Ventures.
Another winning combination you are bound to see many times this Spring is trainer Pete
Dubois of Bar None Ranches and rider Teagan Oulton. Saturday the pair brought Lyn's Silly
home on top to pay $5.10, 3.20 and 3.50. This classy horse is by Another Bar None top stallion
Tempered Appeal out of Mt. Lily by Mt. Livermore and bred at the fabulous Bar None Ranches
near Okotoks.
The jockey standings are somewhat askew, as only half the riders rode on last Sunday's sticky
track, but as the weeks progress things will fall into place.
Larris Allen leads the way with six wins, four during the past weekend, and Bladford Stewart has
four wins. There are a number of new faces to the RMTC with former fan favourites missing
from action. Brooke Mellish has taken some time off, Scott Sterr is trying his luck on the eastern
tracks and Nate Smith is riding in the United States.
Lyle Magnuson is the leading trainer to date with four wins and Wanda Halerwich has three.
BEHIND THE STARTING GATE . . . Lethbridge MLA Bridget Pastoor was enjoying a day at
the races Saturday with her sister Marlene Applegate and daughter Bridget Mearns, who is both
a city alderman and a member of the Lethbridge Exhibition Board . . . Sunday was Mother's Day
and the first 100 mothers at the track received a special treat from RMTC . . . veteran southern
Alberta horseman Ted Allan of Taber is now 100 years of age . . . Next action at Whoop-Up
Downs is the holiday weekend with racing this Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with post time at
1:05 p.m.

BY GARRY ALLISON

Rocky Mountain Turf Club

Today and Sunday bring you the second weekend of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Spring race meet action, with the added feature Sunday of Mother's Day.

The first 100 "Moms" at the track will receive a special gift from Downtown Merle Normans and for those who like their racing with a meal, there'll be an $8.95 dinner special.

"Its amazing how many mothers enjoy the races, not just on Mother's Day but throughout the Spring season," says Max Gibb, CEO of the RMTC. "Rose Rossi always treats the Moms right on Mother's Day and it was featured Sunday not to be missed.

"Sunday we'll have our first featured race of the season, the John Deere AHA Classic, a 300 yard Quarter horse Stakes race for three year olds and up, with a $7,500 purse.

The Classic with be

our seventh and final race Sunday."

Sunday also features appropriately named Memories N Moment, which is sure to attract some Mom's attention eighth race and how about Our Little Bit O Ovory with Teagan Oulton in he same race.

These are just hunch wagers, so take the for what they're worth . . . until the race is over.

Saturday's card features eight races, the opener a Quarter horse dash of 220 yards and the remaining seven all five furlong runs. The first six races Sunday will also be five furlong runs for the Thoroughbreds. Saturday, how about Rocky Mountain Lady, a winner already this year with Craig Wonnacott is the saddle. And for those of you whose marriage started out slow, then don't pass up Cart Girl with Dwight Anthony Lewis aboard.

Another race to keep your eye on is the fifth race Sunday, featuring Norm Cuthbertson's great Beau Gris, with Teagan Oulton aboard. This was a superb winning combination last Fall and rave fans expect the pair to repeat again this Spring. But 82-year-old Stan Sparks is looking to change that with his horse Lyon's Growl with Craig Wonnacott in the irons.

Among the top trainers both days are the aforementioned along with Dennis Dorchester, Pete Dubois, Jim Depew, Phil Wiest - looking for a better 2012 season - and Robert Gwilliam., Jackie Smith aboard.

Bully's General Manager Rose Rossi has lined up another fun-filled opening day and Mother's Day festivities, as well as the Junior Jockey Club for the kids and the fabulous Rocky Mountain Dixieland Jazz Band. Come on out and enjoy the show, Post time for Saturday and Sunday will also be 1:05 p.m

Alberta Downs, Sunday May 6, 2012

The cancellation of racing on Saturday, May 5 due to heavy rains brought us to a double card the following day.  The first, with ten races got under way at 1:00 pm due to the non-stop work of trackman Ron Grift beginning at 6:00 a.m.  working the one mile oval into racing shape.   The surface was still a little slow as there was a noted difference in race times from the early card to the 5:10 p.m. program offering eleven races.    Race two in the afternoon saw a short field in the Fillies & Mares Open won by Itzafreeforall,  1:59.1.  The five year old mare is owned by Lil Dude Ranch, trained by Dave Lamont and driven by Jeff Stone.   Runner –up was Doober Hoozzitz in a photo finish, owned by Fred Lamont, trained and driven by John Chappell.   “They were tired” said John after the race, but everyone was smiling, the sun was shining and the races were on.  Four drivers sported double wins in the afternoon half, Kelly Hoerdt, Brent Grundy, John Chappell and Bill Tainsh Jr.  Trainer Lance Ward had two winners and the Joe Ratchford stable nailed three on the afternoon.   The ten races wrapped up about 4:00 p.m. followed by three qualifiers at 4:30, and then on to the evening card.  Only one race was slower than the 2:00 minute marker, as the track improved steadily throughout the day.  Connie Kolthammer had a good run, winning with Outlaw Highvoltage, second with Outlawtowerinferno.  These are two of her Blue Burner sired three year olds prepping for the upcoming stakes in June.  She also had a winner with Outlaw Pot of Gold, an As Promised filly in an earlier race.  Her big horse, Smart Shark made a return to the races finishing a respectable 4^th in his debut for 2012 in the fastest mile of the evening.   This event, an optional $25,000 claiming race was won by Wannabe Cowboy, in 1:55.3 with a half mile clocking of :59 so the field certainly picked up speed in the latter half of the race.  This Cowboy is owned by Ryan Grundy and his grandfather Art, also trained and driven by Ryan.  The Open Pace saw Barona Ice emerge the victor in a close finish with the six horse field separated by 4 ½ lengths.  Time of the race was a bit slower than the above mentioned under class with a clocking of 1:56.2.  “Chevy” as he is known is owned by Barona Yearlings, trained by Doug Stout and driven by Bill Tainsh Jr.   The final event of the entire day was a claiming race for a $2,500 price tag which saw a quick time of 1:56.4 flash on the board for these modest priced pacers.  Harold Haining’s Hot Attack was the victor driven by Bobby Clark who is also handling most of the driving chores for the Gerry Hudon stable at present.  Gerry is recovering from a race accident in March at Northlands Park.  We wish him well and hope to see him back in action when he is ready.    Horsemen, officials and staff are to be congratulated in putting on a twenty four race day, not an easy feat but everyone worked together and got the job done. 

Raeann Gemmill

Garry Allison recaps RMTC's Weekend

BY GARRY ALLISON

Rocky Mountain Turf Club

     There were only four horses in the winner's circle in the scheduled five-race card Saturday

as the rain, and old man winter with some snow stepped in and closed down the scheduled fifth race,

intended to be live prior to the Kentucky Derby.

     But while the Rocky Mountain Turf Club track was wet and muddy the races began, until

it simply got to soggy by the fifth and track officials called it quits.

     However, all eight races ran off on schedule Sunday.

     "We met Sunday morning and while there were quite a few scratches, we ran," says Rocky

Mountain Turf Club's Track Manager Dot Stein.

     Despite all the wet - in the form of rain and snow - through the opening weekend RMTC

CEO Max Gibb was pleased to see the Spring Meet get under way.

     "It always seems to be a wet opening weekend when the races come to town," Gibb said with

a laugh. "But the good thing is we got all but one race run off in our 13 scheduled opening weekend

races.

     "We had a great crowd out opening Saturday despite the weather. Our Champion's Room

on the third level of the grandstand was packed, and the fifth level had a full house as well. Those

braving the outdoors Saturday mainly stayed in the betting area under the grandstand, with a few

venturing out to the paddock or to watch the finish of the races."

     One of the nice wins Sunday was somewhat of a veteran's race with ageless jockey Stephen

Blakeley bringing home Great Griffin, trained by octogenarian Stan Marks. The often-claimed Great

Griffin is by El Corredor out of She's Bullheaded by Marquetry and is bred in Alberta at Bar None

Ranches.

     Gibb was also smiling about one of his horses, Rocky Mountain Lady, winning the opening

race Sunday. With Craig Wonnacott aboard. the Tom Alcott-trained horse paid $4.30, 2.50 and 2.10

and combined with Cr Leading La Jolla and Naknek paid a $127.30, one of the higher trifectra's on

Sunday's card.

     Rocky Mountain Lady is by Tres Sels out of Eyesa Screamer by Eye Take Time, bred is

Saskatchewan by Tom Kenway.

     Saturday had some much higher payoffs.

     In the races that got in under the weather opening day Vincent Alvin Palmer won the first

race, binging home trainer Wanda Halerewich's Gentle Senorita on top to combine with Bargain

Buy for a nice $222 Quinella. Gentle Senorita is by Gentleman out of Senorita by Diablo and bred

in Alberta by Ray Gilkyson.

     The second race also had a nice pick three, at $222 with Valentino McBean on Rio Novo,

trained by Dave Gould, combined with Ridgeline and Zeke's Best Trick to pay $222.55 for a $1

Triactor.

BEHIND THE STARTING GATE . . . There were three generations of Gibbs on hand Saturday,

with grandpa Max, son Max Jr. and grandson Nick. Also of hand was cousin Dr. Don Gibb . . . The

rain, wind and snow led to the Champion's Room on the third floor being filled to near capacity

Saturday ... Snow began falling during Saturday's second race and hopefully it was enough to

cushion jockey Philip Clunis' fall in the fourth race . . .Its hard to figure, but with only a few drops

of moisture since Christmas, that opening day features rain and snow. CEO Max Gibb says, with

all the economic impact of horse racing in southern Alberta, maybe they should start figuring in the

benefits of all the moisture the races seem to bring . . .  Next racing at Whoop-Up Downs is May

12-13 with a 1:05 p.m. post time.

Kentucky Derby 2012 is now in the books. Full Story Courtesy of The Daily Racing Form

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-2012-ill-have-another-comes-late-win

The field is set for this years 138th running of The Kentucky Derby

story courtesy Churchill Downs

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/stories 

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