| Backstretch Banter column - Feb. 8 | | Print | |
| Written by Jonathan Huntington |
| Sunday, 07 February 2010 20:29 |
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Frustrating news for Hugh Huston... Alberta-connected runner heading to Turf Paradise Derby... New jockey coming to Edmonton???... Harness drivers to battle in snowshoe races at Northlands Park... and more... It appears jockey Hugh Huston will not be ready to start in the expected Northlands Park thoroughbred meet in May. Even worse for the personable rider, there is no firm date for when he might be able to ride again. After suffering a broken vertebra in his neck last fall from a morning training accident at Northlands, Huston has been hoping for clearance from a doctor to resume riding. Unfortunately for him, that clearance hasn't come - and there is now talk of a second trip to the operating table. "I feel 100 per cent but that bone (in my neck) isn't healing," said Huston. "I'm looking at another surgery." Huston has another medical appointment on March 23. At the moment, there is the suggestion of putting another screw in his neck to help the healing process. "I'm not allowed to run or lift anything over 20 pounds," continued Huston. If Huston is forced to have another surgery, he believes he will miss a large portion of the anticipated Northlands Park thoroughbred meet. Still hoping to ride again, he admits to having a stiff neck. "I am frustrated," he remarked - in what is likely an understatement. BACKSTRETCH BANTER: Tommy and Buster - owned by Randy Howg and Bob Butz - is on target to start in the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Feb. 20 in Phoenix. "He worked (Saturday) - an easy five-eighths. Everything is on schedule," said trainer Robertino Diodoro... The Gordon Wilson-led racing committee charged with developing a three-year scheduling plan for Alberta racing dates will meet Wednesday in Red Deer. Bobby Allen - the owner of Alberta Downs - is already talking about offering winter thoroughbred training next year starting in January on his one-mile track in Lacombe... Sixdaysontheroad - the former Alberta pacer - continues to be red-hot at Woodbine, winning his fourth straight in Toronto on Saturday... Swiftys First Star - the 2009 Alberta harness horse of the year - starts Monday (Feb. 8) at Woodbine in a $60,000 claimer, one week after winning in Toronto... At least five Northlands Park harness drivers have agreed to compete in a snowshoe race at the track on Family Day - Feb. 15 - during the FREE Winter Family Festival during the afternoon racing card. Brandon Campbell, Ricky Schneider, Ryan Grundy, Philip Giesbrecht and Allan Tracey will put on the shoes and charge down the stretch. Post time for the afternoon card is 1 p.m... Northlands Park thoroughbred trainer Rod Cone is realizing how tough it is to run a winter stable in northern California. "It's one of the toughest meets I've been to in my life," said Cone on the Golden Gate Fields campaign. "I'd come back (next year) and bring a different type of horse."... The popular OTB at the Franklin hotel in Sherwood Park will apparently feature a renovated area and new name (Sawmill Lounge) starting March 15 on the same property on Sherwood Drive... Searchforthetruth is set to run in the $75,000 US Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 13 for Diodoro and Howg. It marks the first start for the five-year-old gelding after being claimed for $40,000 at Santa Anita last year by Howg. "We're hoping he's stake caliber (for Edmonton) but Saturday will give us a good indication," said Diodoro. "This is a come-from-behind sprinter."... TRACK TIDBITS: Phoenix jockey Jorge Carreno is apparently interested in coming north to Northlands Park for the expected meet this summer, according to Diodoro. Carreno has almost 20 wins from 198 starts in Phoenix this winter. "He came here late and got off to a horrible start," remarked Diodoro. "But he's a strong finishing rider. His biggest asset is he'll give you 110 per cent on anything." Carreno is 16th in the Phoenix jockey standings in a meet that is flooded by riders... On the topic of jockeys, Northlands Park regular Steph Heiler will make his Santa Anita debut on Wednesday in the first race on a claimer entered by Diodoro. "He's pretty excited," said Diodoro. "He's been good to us this winter." Heiler is 12th in the Turf Paradise standings with 25 wins and a 40% success rate of cracking the top three... Word out of Florida on Sunday indicated a rider from Tampa Bay Downs might also arrive in Edmonton for the thoroughbred meet. PARTING SHOT: Don't forget to enter the FREE online contest on thehorses.com to win a four-day luxury trip to the Kentucky Derby. Click here to enter. ... And bring the family out on Family Day - Feb. 15 - for the FREE winter festival at Northlands Park. Free sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating (in the thoroughbred walking ring), snowshoe races on the track, face painting (indoors), cheap food, etc is on tap for the afternoon race card at 1 p.m. The festival starts at Noon. -copyright thehorses.com |
| Last Updated on Sunday, 07 February 2010 23:07 |
