| Backstretch Banter column - March 8 (watch video) | | Print | |
| Written by Jonathan Huntington |
| Monday, 08 March 2010 15:40 |
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Decision soon on Northlands thoroughbred purses... Gord Remmen on Sixdaysontheroad... Racing on front cover of Edmonton Sun back-to-back days... Edmonton thoroughbred owner opening new restaurant... Northlands Park racing on Facebook... and much more. Northlands Park and HBPA management met late last week to discuss purse levels for the upcoming 85-day Edmonton meet. "(We) met last Friday to discuss the 2010 thoroughbred stakes schedule, applicable purses, as well as the overnite purse structure. I will reiterate that the HBPA has been advised by HRA that our share of the purse support from gaming will be reduced by $1.1million in 2010, thus there is no question that we have less dollars to work with," said Mat Monaco, the HBPA executive director."Friday's meeting with Northlands was productive and the process of establishing the stakes/purse schedule is moving forward. Further direction from the HBPA board will be forthcoming late this week." Monaco is still hoping to find additional dollars for the purse pool. SIZZLING AT WOODBINE: Former Alberta pacer Sixdaysontheroad is heading to this weekend's next leg of the Cam Fella series after a sizzling 1:52.1 easy win last weekend in the opening leg. Owned by Walter Moroz and Willie Wychopen, Sixdaysontheroad won by four lengths in Toronto. The victory made one veteran Alberta horsemen say: "He'll jog (in the final)." That $80,000 Cam Fella series final is March 20. "He's very impressive," said the pacer's Ontario trainer Gord Remmen. "He was able to go through (easier) classes (in January at Woodbine) and braven-up. The Cam Fella was on our radar right from the start." Sixdaysontheroad has five wins from seven starts at Woodbine this year after winning eight of nine races in Alberta last year for trainer Ron Graham. The son of Allamerican Native has already doubled his 2009 earnings ($35,383) to $73,860. Eligible for the $190,000 Spring Pacing Championship at Woodbine (final April 10), life could become really interesting for him in a big hurry. "He's got nice manners and the desire to go," continued Remmen. To watch the replay of Saturday's win in a leg of the Cam Fella series, click the box below.  BACKSTRETCH BANTER: Robo Willie (owner Stan Ryan, trainer Greg Tracy) won a $19,100 allowance at Turf Paradise on Sunday. "He ran a heck of a race," said Tracy. Robo Willie was almost 8-1 at post time... Littlemiss Allison, a track record holder at Northlands, will race Thursday at Santa Anita for a $40,000 claiming tag. "The race wouldn't go here," said Tracy, referring to life at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. "She'd probably like the smaller track a little better."... Dakota Sue, the Bird of Pay winner in Edmonton last year for Tracy, is scheduled to race Tuesday in Phoenix as the 2-1 favourite in an allowance. But track condition could be a factor. A sloppy track on Sunday has led to concerns today. "I'm just hoping it doesn't deep on her," remarked Tracy. Dakota Sue won both Edmonton starts last year for Ryan... The Horses and The Slots at Northlands Park is now on Facebook. Launched for March 1, the Facebook account already has 260 fans... Local thoroughbred owner Cory Wagner and his wife will open a new restaurant this week in Edmonton. The official opening is Wednesday, with a VIP event Tuesday. Click here for more details on the restaurant... Watch for word of a major live racing promotion for April 3 at Northlands Park... Armbro Dublin showed his character last Saturday at Northlands Park, winning the Open Pace in gutsy fashion. Giving up the lead under pressure along the backstretch, he seemed dead in the water at the top of the lane. But he somehow battled back to win. Click the box below to watch the replay of one of the spring meet's top races.  TRACK TIDBITS: Tajma Hall has returned to jogging. Is a return to racing in the cards for a Lacombe summer meet???... Former Alberta standout pacer Dudes Leaving Town (24 wins and $540,000 in career earnings) is standing in Indiana for a $1,500 fee reports owner Liz Hennessy. But a return to Alberta could become a reality next year. "Business is not what he would get in Alberta, as he is up against about 60 pacing stallions here in Indiana," said Hennessy. "Everyone thought the same - get involved in the slot-enhanced program here in the state of Indiana. I will be considering bringing (him) back to Alberta for next season, as this one is already underway." FINISH LINES: Edmonton harness racing has been on the front page of the Edmonton Sun for back-to-back days, thanks to Northlands Park's sponsorship of Sun Bingo. In today's edition, Cry Freedom (a four-year-old gelding at Northlands Park for the Ron Graham stable) is pictured on the front page holding a Sun Bingo card in his mouth to promote the popular contest. This comes after Katie Graham, a groom at Northlands Park, was on the front page for Sunday's edition to promote the contest.  -copyright thehorses.com |
| Last Updated on Monday, 15 March 2010 21:35 |
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