The B Cup Stakes races at Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge have wrapped up and it was an exciting day for everyone concerned.
The action began with the 2-year-old stakes and the Alydeed colt, Stripling, owned by Rollingson Racing stable and trained by Laurie Ferguson was ridden to a convincing 51/2 length victory by Neville Stephenson.
The 3-year-old filly stake was somewhat closer with Jose Rocha posting a one and a half length victory riding Go she's Italian, by Schramsberg, out of former Alberta-bred champion mare, She's Italian. The Less Webb trained Nelly Bean ran second.
Neville Stephenson was back in the winner's circle again in the 3-year-old stakes race as he rode the Cindy Cummins trained Thisismystory, to victory after battling with Randy Cunningham's Totally Suave, owned by Bar None Ranches, all the way to the wire with an ultimate three-and-a quarter length victory.
In the 5 1/2 furlong fillies & mares spring stake, Stephenson had to settle for second on the John Poirier trained She's it Again, as Martin Ortiz was a convincing victor aboard the Norm Cuthertson owned and trained Candalier. At one time during the race, Candalier was out front by ten lengths at the top of the stretch and while the lead narrowed, it was still a convincing victory.
The 5 1/2 furlong sprint stakes was a Lyle Magnuson exactor as the classy old veteran, General Day, owned and trained by Magnuson made a middle move and won by over eight lengths with Jose Rocha aboard, while Magnuson's other horse, He's Italian, owned by Go for the Roses Stable, came in second.
The mile and a sixteenth classic stake was up next and the amazing, Why Not Live, did not disappoint. Jockey Blandford Stewart had him in front by the three-quarter mark and he never looked back. The Pete Dubois trained Gallant Gabe was a game second.
The seven-furlong fillies & mares stakes saw Lillie Abbie come back to form with a convincing victory. Trained by Garry Marks and ridden to victory by Martin Ortiz, Lillie Abbie looked strong in victory. Danny Oberholtzer's, Star Princess put up a game fight and finished one a half lengths back.
Trainer, Lyle Magnuson, had eight horses line up on Sunday during the Cup Stakes, and six of them placed in the top three. Last year's leading trainer clearly still has the touch.
Another big three-day weekend of racing is coming up at Rocky Mountain Turf Club this weekend with Friday night post time at 6:00 pm., and Saturday and Sunday are scheduled to go off at approximately 4:00 for this weekend only as RMTC is hosting the Indian Relay Races at 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. If you've ever seen an Indian Relay Race, you will undoubtedly want to check out the event this weekend. If you haven't seen an Indian Relay Race, go to Youtube and check it out. It is the absolute extreme sport when it comes to horse racing and you won't want to miss it.
YouTube Video - 2017 Indian Relay Races Championship
...from Emerald Downs