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

Northlands Park Sugar Doyle Recaps all the action from the past weekend

http://www.northlandspark.ca/racing/harness/item/109-weekend-recap-for-february-3/4

ASHA Award Winners

http://www.northlandspark.ca/racing/thoroughbred/item/68-fantastic-finish-freedoms-traveller-wins-canadian-derby

Alberta scored big today at the Queens Plate.

Dover Stables Inglorious fresh off her outstanding win in the Woodbine Oaks managed to beat the boys today with an outstanding late kick .

Inglorious is owned by Donna and Vern Dubinsky of Sherwood Park.

Luis Contreras rode Inglorious and timed her late move well as the early pace setters began to tire. Josie Carroll trains the 9-2 third choice.

Pender Harbour continued his late moving racing style to capture Third place in today’s Queens Plate. 

Pender Harbour is owned by Roberta and Robert Giffin, Denny Andrews and Sandra Lazaruk .  

BY GARRY ALLISON
Rocky Mountain Turf Club
It was something Lethbridge hasn't seen much of this Spring, sunshine - but you must remember
it was Lethbridge, so there was wind, plenty of it.
But the wind, and a good break from the gate, moved Czech down the 220-yard chute in great
style to win the All Canadian Futurity and the winner's share of the $15,580 purse.
Guided by Larris Allen, the Stan Webb-trained Quarter horse speedster gave Stan, one of the
best trainers at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, a rare victory this Spring.
"This helps our Spring. That's for sure," said Stan, carrying two of the outside fingers on his
right hand tightly wrapped. "I was kind of confident going in here, we were feeling good about
this race."
Czech in by Corona's Czech out of In Special Star by Strawfly Special, bred in Oregon by owner
Richard R. Settje.
Stan's wife Chrissy found herself without cash and had to borrow to place a wager, one of the
best loans she's ever made. The win paid $35.10, $6.60 and $3.90.
Stan's incapacitated hand came when he had dallied up and a horse went over backwards,
dragging Stan, and his finger, with it. He had always seen team ropers with decapitated thumbs
and was worried about dallying up.
"I had promised myself never to learn to dally and then this accident just happened. I still have
my little finger though . . . if I keep from banging it too often.
The next race for Czech will be a Futurity in Grande Prairie this summer.
"She's little but she's a professional, and by that I mean she just walks around in the paddock,
walks into the gate and charges right out of it. She just does her business."
In Saturday's other major race of the weekend the highly anticipated five and a half furlong,
$8,250 Spring Sprint for Thoroughbreds wasn't quite as thrilling as it was billed - except for
Norm Cuthbertson.
The former champion chuckwagon driver saw his speedster, Beau Gris, cruise to a victory under
the guiding hands of Brooke Mellish.
"He'll have some rest now before the RMTC Fall Meet," stated Norm. "He's won six in a row
and set two track records along the way. He's in his prime, just five. He was in tough today. He
likes to go to the front end and keep it."
The expected head-to-head match with another undefeated horse this Spring, Mr. Excessive, just
didn't happen with Skimming Song placing second and Mr. Excessive a fast-closing third..
Barb Depew, wife of Mr. Excessive's trainer Jim Depew, shrugged and said: "That's horse
racing. He just didn't fire and we were worried about that all week. That Beau Gris is sure a nice
horse though."
The race was supposed to be run last Sunday but was cancelled due to muddy track conditions.
Saturday's card was kicked off in the proper fashion, at least in RMTC CEO Max Gibb's mind,
as his horse, Hey Italian Lady, came from back of the pack to win the opening race with ease. 
This Alberta-bred, by Gibb, is by Real West out of Hey Reba by Rahy and is trained by Corrine
Draper.
Friday, Jim Depew overcame his Saturday's disappointment early with two wins, both with
Valentino McBean aboard. The first was Zoar, to pay 14.30, 5.90 and 4.30 for a $2 triactor of
$151.80. The second was with Dr. Hoodoo, paying 9.20, 4.30 and 2.40 with a $2 tri of $121.70.
McBean, who came to the Spring meet late in the month won three races on Friday's card.
My favourite wager is $5 across the board and boy what a hit that would have been las Sunday
when Kym Espy brought her husband's horse hoe, You Take It Easy. They paid $19.00, $17.40
and $6.40.
You Take It Easy is by Margie's Wildcat out of Stony Jody by Silver Surviour and was bred in
Ontario.
BEHIND THE STARTING GATE . . . .Trainer Stan Marks, who had Comic Fool all primed in
the Spring Sprint figured his horse had a real shot if is didn't blow the first turn . . . "I was
worried about that turn, and she went out wide," Stan said with a shake of his head after the race
. . .The RMTC horses, trainers and riders move to Millarville, Friday July 1, with a 1 p.m. post
time, and then return to Whoop-Up Downs in Lethbridge July 2-3 to close the Spring Meet . . .
The Spring's leading trainer, Lyle Magnuson, was pleased as On The Hill won Saturday
afternoon in front of his Dad, Harold . . .  Well, that's really not true, you see Lyle's father is
Harold, and Saturday a family friend, Harold Magnuson from Vulcan (not the father, or a
relative) was on hand to see Lyle's horse win . . . it must really be something when they're all
together and someone calls for Harold . . . One of the rail birds, paying keen attention to the
Spring Sprint horses in the paddock, was heard to say "I'm going to bet big here, I'm gong up to
four bucks" . . . Donalda Cochrane had three of the seven horses in the Futurity and the best she
could do was a second with Choose An Ace . . . Teagan Oulton rodeo Snowbird Kila to victory
Saturday for Marcie to pay a $216.50 triactor . . . Valentino McBean, who came on the scene
late this Spring, racked up five winners this past weekend and without a doubt is the hot jockey
going into the final weekend of racing this coming Saturday and Sunday.