| Backstretch Banter column - Feb. 1 (watch video) | | Print | |
| Written by Jonathan Huntington |
| Sunday, 31 January 2010 21:20 |
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Cory Wagner shuts down promising three-year-old... Bill Andrew on giving fans free ownership of top-level mare... Video of 2009 Alberta harness racing memories... and much more... Alberta owner Cory Wagner has taken promising Brady Blue Eyes out of training. The three-year-old thoroughbred is on the shelf, just two weeks after winning an allowance race at Santa Anita. "It's unfortunately coming off an easy allowance win, but we've decided to turn Brady out for 60 days instead of forging ahead," wrote Wagner in an email to thehorses.com. "He's training great, but there are starting to be some signs of wear and tear. "He hasn't had a break and came out of a two-year-old sale, which can be harder on young horses. In the interest of the horse's health and longevity at the racetrack, we've decided to point him towards the second half of his three-year-old year." There had been thought of entering Brady Blue Eyes in a three-year-old stake in California in February. Bought for $225,000 US, the young runner has two wins and two seconds in six starts. BACKSTRETCH BANTER: Credit to Bill Andrew for giving up his 50% ownership share of Starring Role so three lucky fans can become owners during the upcoming Northlands Park winter/spring harness meet in Edmonton. "It was easy to do," said Andrew. "Without the fans, we don't have a sport. It's critical." Three fans will have a chance to collect pay cheques from the mare during the meet - without having to pay any bills. (For more details on how to enter the contest to win a share of Starring Role, click here.) "Before I was a breeder and owner, I was a fan," continued Andrew. "They get a chance (with this contest) to experience the thrill of winning." (For more details on Starring role, click here.) ... Ron Graham believes former pupil Sixdaysontheroad can drop at least another second at Woodbine. "I'd say 1:49.1 or 1:49.2, when the weather is good," remarked Graham when asked how fast the four-year-old could go in Ontario. Graham trained Sixdaysontheroad in Alberta before he arrived in Toronto this winter and won three straight. That last win came in 1:50.4. Sixdaysontheroad is nominated to the $145,000 Cam Fella Pacing Series at Woodbine in March... Alberta harness Horse of the Year Swiftys First Star could be coming home from Toronto if his results don't improve. That's the word from co-owner Kurt Schmidt. Swifty's first two starts at Woodbine this winter didn't bring a pay cheque and he has Post 9 on Monday (Feb. 1) in Toronto. Schmidt indicates a decision on whether to ship his gelding out of Toronto could come at the end of this month... Alberta-owned Fatal Bullet will start his 2010 campaign in Canada. "He won't be racing until Woodbine (thoroughbred meet opens)," said Danny Dion. "He's heading back into training February 15." Fatal Bullet has appeared in back-to-back Breeders' Cup Sprints... Northlands Park track record holder Littlemiss Allison finished third in the $27,125 Mesa Handicap at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on Saturday... Congrats to former Edmonton rider Omar Moreno for winning the 2009 Sovereign award for Canada's top apprentice jockey. The Edmonton Journal's Curtis Stock also collected a Sovereign in the outstanding newspaper article category... AWARDS NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS: There were several highlights from Saturday's Alberta harness awards gala - here are a few... Bill Andrew had one of the most appropriate comments of the evening. "We've got a great breed and great people who support them," he remarked... Knowing the O'Brien Awards were happening at the same time, Chuck Ibey - Breeders award of recognition winner - quipped: "There's no place I'd rather be than with the grass-roots people here."... While accepting the Ron McLeod Award of Achievement, Darrell Waldner stated: "I can't believe my name is in the same big book (of past award winners) as Tajma Hall, As Promised and Weekend Bernie."... HRA judge Doug Fenske had one of the best lines when he made fun of trainer Rod Starkewski - a Calgary Flames fan - when accepting the two-year-old colt award: "At least he took off his Calgary Flames hat (for the night)."... Northlands Park track announcer Sugar Doyle entertained the crowd as co-host of the awards show with Crystal Leriger. Doyle had the line of the night when he stated: "Do you know who is representing Pennsylvania in Miss America? Shannon Doyle. I wished her good luck today." TRACK TIDBITS: The Tajma Hall TV feature - that aired on a CTV broadcast of live racing last year - earned an O'Brien Award for media excellence on Saturday night... There was one key person missing from the Alberta harness Horse of the Year presentation on Saturday - trainer Robert Sabourin Jr. Sabs - as he is known - did a great job with Swiftys First Star in 2009... FINISH LINES: The Alberta awards show started with a three minute video recalling the people and memories of 2009 on the harness racing circuit. Put together by Penny Lewis, Doyle, Coady Photo - and using pictures from thehorses.com - the video can be viewed by clicking the box below.  -copyright thehorses.com |
| Last Updated on Monday, 01 February 2010 15:42 |
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