| Backstretch Banter column - Dec. 14 | | Print | |
| Written by Jonathan Huntington |
| Monday, 14 December 2009 16:05 |
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Major change for Riversedge Racing Stables - new trainer for 60-head operation... The aftermath of the Northlands accident caused by a rabbit... How far a dedicated fan will travel for a handicapping tournament... and much more. Greg Tracy is the new trainer for Riversedge Racing Stables, replacing Monica Russell. It is a major move in the Alberta thoroughbred industry, as Robert Vargo and Norm Castiglione - the partners behind Riversedge - have nearly 60 horses and millions invested. "It's like a hockey team," said Vargo. "Last year wasn't a good year - and not just because of the trainer." Knowing he can't "fire" all of his horses, Vargo switched trainers and chose Tracy after interviewing six candidates and meeting face-to-face with three of them. "Monica knows horses and breeding - but we need a GM," continued Vargo, while sitting in his office at Alberta Motor Products in Fort McMurray on Sunday. "I'm not throwing stones. "We wanted to see it from a different view. We wanted to use the farm (in the Okotoks area) more. We wanted someone to direct it." The expansion of the southern Alberta farm started in 2007 - and now features a track. "The farm wasn't being used to its full extent," Vargo added.  Robert Vargo at the Manitoba Derby this year, when Tease The Tiger ran second under Russell's training guidance. While Vargo isn't about to publicly reveal names of trainers he interviewed for the job, he admits Tracy offered the best blueprint for success. "Greg came with a layout for today, six months (from now) and two years from now," explained Vargo. "He impressed us." Hired less than a month ago, Tracy is now breaking some of his newly-acquired young ones in Montana. While Northlands Park will be the base for the Riversedge racing operation in 2010, it appears some of their horses will be moved between the farm and tracks besides Northlands. "They've got everything first class (at the farm). When I saw the place it was gorgeous," said Tracy. Since 2006, Vargo estimates that he and Castiglione "have sunk $2 million a piece" into thoroughbred racing. "You just try to hold the losses to a minimum," Vargo stated. Tracy has a history of winning top two-year-old races in Edmonton - and is no stranger to having top three-year-olds. With a 48% success rate in the top three at Northlands this year, Tracy had 32 wins from 164 starts. Russell was close behind in top-three percentage with a 42% rate. As previously reported, Russell - one of the more personable conditioners in the West - is off to try Hastings Park in Vancouver next year. Tracy has the large task of sorting through and rating the stock belonging to Riversedge. Thanxforeverything is one of the youngsters to watch within the stable. A maiden allowance winner at first asking in Edmonton in September, the soon-to-be three-year-old gelding gives Vargo hope. "He's got the breeding for distance and he bucked his shins in his last start (in 2009)," said Vargo. RABBIT AFTERMATH: After a rabbit caused an accident at Edmonton's Northlands Park last Wednesday, the track is looking at new safety options. Operations manager Tim Lake estimates there could be as many as 20 rabbits living in the track infield. One of those rabbits came dangerously close to the track surface during the ninth race last Wednesday, causing one horse to stumble - sending driver Debbie Manning out of the sulky. "We could set up a snare line - like a trap line," said Lake. To no surprise, there wasn't a rabbit problem when a coyote was roaming the infield. But the coyote was put down this past spring by fish/wildlife officials. "(The coyote) was getting dangerously close to people (at the track)," recalled Lake. "It would follow staff out to the parking lot." The accident last week forced Manning to book off drives last Friday. "I'm having a tough time lifting my left arm," she remarked. Click the box below to watch the mayhem from last Wednesday caused by the rabbit problem in the Northlands infield.  BACKSTRETCH BANTER: The video of that rabbit-caused mishap made it around the world - literally - last week. Horse racing websites attracting international visitors linked to www.thehorses.com for the story. In fact, the rabbit story became front-page news on www.harnesslink.com, www.ustrotting.com, www.standardbredcanada.ca and www.theharnessedge.com last Thursday... There is growing talk that former Northlands Park jockey Omar Moreno will be Canada's leading apprentice jockey at the 2009 Sovereign Awards... See N Win - owned by Albertans Bill and Sandy Dory and Janet and Gary Kropp finished fifth in a $200,000 claimer at Hollywood Park on Sunday... Smoke Baby finished fourth - his best performance of the year - in a low-level claimer at Turf Paradise on Sunday for Northlands trainer Robertino Diodoro... Nobody can question Kyle Radawetz's desire to win handicapping tournaments. The Calgarian drove all the way to Fort McMurray on the weekend - braving the wicked -40C (windchill included) weather - for a $4,000 tournament at Longshots (off-track betting theatre). Unfortunately for Radawetz, he had the lead entering the last race, but couldn't hold on for top prize. Still, he deserves a tip of the hat for making the journey.... FINISH LINES: Don't forget Standardbreds Forever Day on Saturday at Northlands Park. Free pony rides (indoor stable), $1 hot dogs and $1 pop, plus a chance to meet Alberta racing legend Tajma Hall in a heated stable. And the best news of all, Mother Nature appears to be co-operating with a high of -2C for the 1 p.m. post time. -copyright thehorses.com |
| Last Updated on Monday, 14 December 2009 18:18 |
