Millarville will have 112 years of tradition behind it with the running of the Millarville Race Meet on Saturday, July 1. Once again the Rocky Mountain Turf Club will be presenting an exciting race card during the annual oldtime country-fair type of fun day. The race card attracts some of the best horses, which run in both Lethbridge and Grande Prairie during the year.
Through the past few years the Millarville course has been to Jim Depew's liking, with a series of winners during the feature races. Jim’s wife Barb stated: "We just seem to have luck when we come to Millarville and I sure hope it continues this year," said Barb Depew, who won’t be on hand this year, staying in Raymond for the annual July 1 parade and family day. But Jim will be in Millrville.
“I always go if I can,” said Jim, looking forward to a rewarding, and fun, weekend, with three entries in the six races. He has horses in the two major races, the Millarville Sprint and Millarville Derby. The Derby, covering five furlongs, with a purse of $7,000, will see Jim’s Careless Hunter running against other top horses like Lyle Magnuson’s General Day and Mitt from Brad Mead.
The Derby is a mile and an eighth test with six horses chasing the $10,000 purse. Jim has Red Wings entered, against horses like Regroup from Darcy Ralph, Sportive from Lyle Magnuson, Why Not Live entered by Nellie Pigeau, and Takin A Dip from Harold Burbank.
Jim’s Pure Vertical will be one of five horses in the opening race, a five furlong, $5,000 run. There will be two seven furlong runs, both with six horses and the fourth race is a five furlong dash. All three of these races have a purse of $5,000 each.
Nellie Pigeau has her dependable Box Top in the first race, Twopenny in race two and Always Miracle in the third race. As well she has Shady in the Millarville Sprint and Why Not Live in the Derby. That gives Nellie a horse in every race except the Millarville Sprint.
As well Lyle Magnuson is among those in multiple races, including two entries in the Sprint. The only race he’ll miss is the second race.
Besides the races Millarville offers a “genuine oldtime fair,” with lots of booths and other attractions associated with fairs. But most of all the spotlight falls on the live race meet which features top riders like Jose Rocha, Branford Stewart, Juan Apango and Philip Cluis.
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