A large crowd was on hand at Rocky Mountain Turf Club Saturday, not only for the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, but for the Quarter Horse All Canadian Derby Stakes Race.

The buzz going into this race was that trainer William Leech would have an easy exactor with his entry of, " Getit Hot", and stablemate "Always Right". "Getit Hot" did his part with Ricardo Marino crossing the wire first, but Bucky Stockwell's, "Ifarm", spoiled the exactor with a second place finish. "Always Right", with Dwight Lewis on board had to settle for a hard fought third.

Racing fans were also looking forward to a seven furlong allowance race featuring some of the better thoroughbreds at the track. Neville Stephenson was aboard, "Master's Bluff", for Nellie Pigeau, while Pigeau also sent out the tough Alberta bred, "Why Not Live", ridden by Blandford Stewart. Stephenson dueled in the back stretch and then at the top of the stretch found another gear and pulled away for a six-length victory. "Master's Bluff" was nearly unbeatable last summer at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie and appears poised to dominate there again this summer.

Experience and youth combine for great combination

Cody Eagle Bear and Alvin Crosschild combine their talents to create a perfect world in horse racing. Alvin has been involved in horse racing in Southern Alberta since the 1970's and Cody says he was born on a horse. Cody's father was a professional horse breaker and Cody was called into action at an very early age.

Cody first came to Rocky Mountain Turf Club in 2014 and worked with veteran quarter horse trainer, Janice Sather. After working a year for Janice, he went to work for his uncle, Alvin Crosschild as an assistant trainer. He also helps out Rusty Smith on race days. Alvin encouraged Cody to get a horse of his own and he struck gold with, "Glittering Blue", who has gone on to be a tremendous race horse under the tutelage of Cody.

Cody plans on taking out his trainer's license next year, as Alvin plans on stepping back a bit. Although Alvin makes it clear that he will still be around to offer his assistance and keep him stocked with new horses. He currently has four horses in the barn and Alvin has plans to pick up some more. Cody plans on picking up a couple of thoroughbreds and quarter horses.

Alvin's dreams from early on in his racing career was to race in the big-time U.S. tracks such as Ruidoso in New Mexico and Los Alamitos race track in California. It is with great pride that Alvin says those dreams came true for him. He raced a horse in the All American in Ruidoso in 2012. Alvin has trained a two-year and three-year champion, along with an aged champion. Another nephew of Alvin's, Wade No Runner also worked with Alvin. Alvin also has tied in with Dexter Daychief and raced a number of horses with him. Alvin prides himself on being the Godfather for his young family members. Alvin has recently purchased a horse from the States by the name of, "Chasin Harm", that he has high hopes for.

I have a strong feeling that Alvin won't be stepping that far out of the horse racing seen when Cody takes over the reigns next year.