Industry Partner Profiles



		Industry Partner Profiles Rough race for Brother Derek by Jonathan Huntington A rough trip in a five-horse field is rather hard to imagine – but Brother Derek has proved it’s possible. The Calgary-owned thoroughbred – who was once the morning-line favourite for the Kentucky Derby – finished second in a $68,000 allowance race at Santa Anita Park this afternoon (April 20) after running very wide through two turns. The five-year-old steed ran four wide into the first turn at the southern California track before charging four wide into the stretch drive. Under the guidance of jockey Alex Solis, Brother Derek finished one and three-quarters of a length behind Mast Track. Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Brother Derek has now lost nine in a row since winning the Santa Anita Derby in April 2006. Owned by Cec Peacock, Brother Derek earned $17,680 for being second this afternoon – boosting his career earnings past $1.6 million. Racing back to TV by Jonathan Huntington For the fifth consecutive year, Alberta horse racing will be televised live on CTV this year. Starting with the Adios Pick Stake on May 10, there will be 10 live broadcasts this season on CFRN-TV (Edmonton) and CFCN-TV (Calgary). After a production meeting in Red Deer today, the broadcasts will feature new graphics and camera angles this spring and summer. “It just brings us up to NBC - we were behind the times,” said HRA marketing manager Jeff Robillard on the new graphics look. “It’s fresh, clean and easy to read.” In fact, part of the new look is patterned after NBC's Sunday Night Football. The award-winning broadcast/production team returns for another season. Producer Bruce Yost, features producer Mike Little and Robillard continue guide the shows. The four-person on-air talent crew remains intact with Crystal Leriger, Dawn Lupul, Jonathan Huntington and Robillard. In the 2007 season the HRA-funded broadcast crew won the Sovereign Award for top Canadian TV broadcast for the Alberta Derby show from Stampede Park. The crew also captured an Eclipse Award for the top thoroughbred broadcast in North America (in the local TV category) for that same Alberta Derby show. But after an award-winning season, HRA had to drop the schedule from 13 to 10 shows because of construction delays with the new Calgary-area track that is now scheduled to open next spring. “It’s a transition year and unfortunately, all (HRA) programs were cut,” said Robillard. Unlike broadcasts on NBC, ESPN and The Score, the CTV telecasts in Alberta still contain an educational component, with one of the goals to teach new fans the sport. Another crushing performance on tap? by Jonathan Huntington Gravel Crusher will try to run his season undefeated streak to four races in a Yukon Trail elimination heat on Saturday at Northlands Park. A winner of three races this spring, the three-year-old gelding is the 1-2 favourite from Post 1. With promising bloodlines - As Promised (sire) and Gravel Gertie (mare) - Gravel Crusher has won his three starts by a combined 12 lengths at the Edmonton track this year. The latest trip to the winner’s circle came after a sizzling 1:54 mile. “He’s very quiet in the barn,” said trainer Robin Chase. “(But) he’s a very aggressive horse (on the track).” Chase is trying to carefully manage Gravel Crusher because of past concerns over the condition of his feet. That explains why he’s missed every other week at the entry box this spring. But with the Alberta-sired stakes season for top-notch sophomores starting this weekend, Gravel Crusher will now have to start racing in back-to-back weeks. Gravel Crusher’s eight-horse elimination heat is the seventh event on the card. Post time for the first race is 1:05 p.m. Horse of the Year returns by Jonathan Huntington Footprint makes his 2008 debut on Saturday afternoon at Stampede Park. The reigning Alberta Horse of the Year will start from Post 2 in a six-furlong allowance race at the Calgary track. “From the time we put Footprint back into training this year we’ve had our collective eye on the Teeworth Plate and the Herald Gold Plate in so far as the Calgary meet is concerned,” said the four-year-old’s co-owner Derek Milen. “Footprint’s best distance is not sprinting. However, if we want to enter a distance event, a tightener is required and this allowance race seemed to fit the bill.” Footprint will have regular jockey Real Simard in the irons. The two combined to win the 2007 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park. The $21,600 allowance race will be the sixth event on the Stampede Park card. Set to go post at 3:20 p.m., it’s a seven-horse field. “The ownership group is naturally excited about kicking off Footprint’s 2008 campaign,” continued Milen. “Joan (Petrowski) has reported that Footprint has been training very well. Notwithstanding the success we enjoyed last year, Footprint will have to prove himself each and every time out this year. That will begin in earnest this weekend with what appears to be a very competitive field.” From the rail out, the field is as follows: Summer Sensation, Footprint, Plagiarist, Tejano Trouble, Cool Synsation, Candid Remark and Laketon. Edmonton native heading to KY Derby by Jonathan Huntington Charles Fipke is living the dream of countless thoroughbred owners. The Edmonton native owns Tale of Ekati - the winner of the Wood Memorial on Saturday (April 5). With the victory over highly-touted War Pass, Tale of Ekati will be one of the main contenders for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at famous Churchill Downs in Louisville. According to the NTRA, Fipke now resides in Kelowna. A respected geologist, Fipke discovered a diamond mine near Yellowknife in 1991. But it’s Fipke’s involvement with Tale of Ekati that will garner him plenty of attention in the next month.Trained by Barclay Tagg, Tale of Ekati is also a home-bred for Fipke’s large breeding operation. Fipke owns an estimated 50 broodmares after getting started in the racing business in Vancouver in 1981. Tale of Ekati will likely be moved Lexington very soon for his final training workouts before the KY Derby. A winner of three of six starts, Tale of Ekati has now earned more than $760,000. Warren Grant receiving national attention by Jonathan Huntington Warren Grant’s remarkable comeback is garnering the veteran Alberta harness trainer and driver a place in the national spotlight. Grant’s story is one of the feature articles in the April edition of Trot Magazine. The in-depth article takes readers to the scene of Grant’s horrific accident at Northlands Park on Dec. 13, 2006. “I thought he was dead,” said driver Fred Gillis, recalling the memory of Grant hurtling into the unforgiving rail at Northlands Park. “It was the worst (accident) I have ever seen.” After spending five weeks in hospital, Grant returned to his small stable in the back half of 2007. In a classy move, the provincial racing industry recently honoured the soft-spoken 53-year-old with the Alberta Horseman of the Year award. Read the entire Trot Magazine story at standardbredcanada.ca. Yankee Bravo still on Derby trail by Jonathan Huntington Yankee Bravo - a three-year-old colt partially owned by Calgary businessman Dick Bonnycastle - is expected to make his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Coming off a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby on March 8, Yankee Bravo has three wins in four career starts for trainer Patrick Gallagher. A solid top-three finish at Santa Anita could put the Kentucky-bred steed in the Run for the Roses in Louisville. According to bloodhorse.com, Yankee Bravo will not have to go head-to-head against War Pass - a highly-touted Derby hopeful. Coming off a shocking loss in the Tampa Bay Derby, War Pass is expected to start in the Wood Memorial in New York on April 5. The Kentucky Derby is slated for May 3 at Churchill Downs. Betting Terminals still humming by Jonathan Huntington Wagering across the province - simulcast and live betting combined - is up $4.2 million this year. Up to March 23, $37,172,736 had been pushed through betting terminals in Alberta. That’s an increase of 12.75 per cent over last year at this point. The gain in handle is due to a rise in simulcast betting. This all comes on the heels of wagering being up 5.3 per cent ($9 million) in Alberta in 2007. Long comeback trail by Jonathan Huntington After missing an entire racing season, former champion thoroughbred Bell N’ Gone has returned to training at Stampede Park. “He cracked a bone in his foot in his last start as a three-year-old,” said trainer Ron Grieves in his barn at the Calgary track. That race was the Western Canada Handicap at Northlands Park on Oct. 15, 2006, when Bell N’ Gone finished third. It has been 17 months since he entered the starting gate for another real race. However, the five-year-old gelding has posted two recent works at Stampede Park this spring – including a 37.1 three-furlong drill on Mar. 14. “He has trained the same as he did before,” noted Grieves. Bell N’ Gone was the champion two-year-old male runner in the province in 2005 after winning the Canadian Juvenile and Birdcatcher Stake. But he failed to find the winner’s circle in a major race the following campaign. The Ontario-bred steed came close in the 2006 Alberta Derby but had to settle for second behind Halo Steven. It’s unclear when Bell N’ Gone will make his 2008 season debut but the Stampede Park thoroughbred meet starts this Friday. 2007 Stories... Championship Night Make it a hat trick for Horse Racing Alberta and its broadcast team. For the third time in five years, HRA has captured the Outstanding Film/Video/Broadcast honour at the Sovereign Awards. The 2007 award was handed out tonight (Dec. 14) in Toronto, where HRA was honoured for its Alberta Derby broadcast on CTV in June. Recognizing the best in Canadian thoroughbred racing, the Sovereign Award is the highest honour in the sport. With the help of WhiteIron Productions of Calgary, the broadcast focused on the history of Stampede Park and jockey Quincy Welch’s first-ever Derby title with California invader Amazin Blue. Anchored by Crystal Leriger and Jonathan Huntington, the on-air talent also included Dawn Lupul and Jeff Robillard, who is also executive producer and HRA's marketing manager. As usual, Bruce Yost produced the telecast. This marks back-to-back titles for HRA, having won last year for a documentary on Brother Derek. The broadcast team of Leriger, Huntington, Lupul and Ron Manz also won the 2003 Sovereign Award. Voters chose the CTV Alberta broadcast of the 77th Alberta Derby this year over TSN’s HDTV production of the Queen’s Plate and Tom Wolski’s Vancouver-based thoroughbred show on CITY TV. HRA funds the CTV Alberta broadcasts. Holiday Quiz In the sports-writing world, the month of December means it’s time to put together the ‘Year in Review’ pieces. To spice up the process this season, here is 2007 in review at Northlands Park for harness racing in a quiz format. (All statistics are up to and including Dec. 10.) 1. Name the richest horse at Northlands Park in 2007. A) Trust The Artist B) Barona Ferrari C) Real Beauty Answer: A. The winner of the Western Canada Pacing Derby, Trust The Artist has earned $176,313 this season at Northlands Park. Barona Ferrari sits second on the list, just $5,000 below Trust The Artist. 2. Name the fastest horse at Northlands Park this year. A) Tajma Hall B) Bettor Tuwin C) Round Table Review Answer: C. Round Table Review ripped off a sizzling 1:51.2 mile on June 9 in a four-horse Invitational field. Making the mile even more impressive is the fact trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt cut every fraction on the top end with the five-year gelding. 3. Keith Clark is the runaway leading driver at Northlands this year with 150 wins. But who is second on the driver leaderboard? A) Kelly Hoerdt B) Gerry Hudon C) Bill Tainsh D) Jamie Gray Answer: C. Tainsh enters this week with 83 driving victories, good for second place in the driver standings. However, he’s only three ahead of Gray, four in front of Hudon and five ahead of Hoerdt. The meet ends December 22. 4. Clark leads the Northlands trainer standings with 133 wins. Kelly Hoerdt is second with 84. But in terms of purses earned, what is the difference between the two stables? A) $193,711 B) $422,645 C) $397,294 Answer: A. Thanks in part to Trust The Artist’s fantastic season – Pacing Derby, Sunwapta and Rocky Mountain stake wins – Hoerdt’s stable is sticking close to Clark. Clark has the top trainer bankroll of $1,223,279. Canadian Champion Countdown There is a major Alberta and Northlands Park flavour to this year’s finalists for the Sovereign Awards. Of the 15 equine categories (champion horse divisions and outstanding horsemen accomplishments), seven include individuals with ties to this province or Edmonton’s racetrack. Headlining the list is Danny Dion’s Bear Stables – which is involved in five categories. The Bonnyville thoroughbred investor is a finalist in the outstanding owner category thanks to $1.4 million in earnings. Going against Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. ($1.9 million in 2007 earnings) in the ownership category means Dion is a major longshot. The other categories involving Bear Stables: Champion Two-Year-Old Male: Bear Holiday – Undefeated in three starts this year ($171,000 in earnings), Bear Holiday’s numbers are impressive but not in the same class as co-finalist Kodiak Kowboy ($550,000 in earnings and two graded stake wins). Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Bear Now – A winner of a graded stake in the U.S., Bear Now competed in the Breeders’ Cup to end her 2007 campaign ($769,750 in earnings). While she posted excellent numbers, she’s up against Sealy Hill – the winner of the Canadian Triple Tiara ($988,022 in earnings). Champion Sprinter: Bear Now – Another tough category to win while competing against She’s Indy Money (a graded sprint stake winner). Outstanding Trainer: Reade Baker – One of the most personable conditioners in the game, Baker is the Woodbine trainer for Bear Stables. However, Baker will play second fiddle at the Sovereign Awards gala to Mark Casse, who has $5.9 million in earnings this year – almost $3 million more than Baker. There is one lead-pipe-cinch winner with Alberta ties on Dec. 14 in Toronto because True Metropolitan will surely capture the Champion Older Male On The Main Track category. With seven wins in 10 starts this year, True Metropolitan earned $458,000. Included in that total is the Speed To Spare and Westerner stake wins in Edmonton. Monashee – another multiple stakes winner in Edmonton this summer – is a finalist in the Champion Older Female On The Main Track category. Like so many times in so many years, the Western-based runner is running against a Woodbine finalist with higher earnings (Financingavailable - $457,000 in earnings). The Sovereign Awards is now in its 33rd year, recognizing the best in Canadian thoroughbred racing. Horse Racing Alberta is also a finalist in the Outstanding Broadcast Video category for this years Alberta Derby. Green is the Colour Jamie Gray is proof that hard-core Saskatchewan Roughrider fans can be found nearly everywhere. The Northlands Park harness trainer/driver is now home from his whirlwind adventure to Toronto to watch his beloved Green and White claim the Grey Cup last Sunday with a 23-19 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “We raced (last) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and all-day Saturday and we took the red-eye Saturday night,” explained Gray, a Saskatoon native. “It left at 1 o’clock in the morning and got there at 6:30 (Sunday) morning. “Then we rested for a couple of hours at the hotel and then went to the game. “And caught a plane (home on) Monday morning.” A Rider fan for as long as he can remember, Gray definitely paid top dollar to watch Saskatchewan win its third Grey Cup in franchise history. “Plane tickets were $800-and-change each,” continued Gray, who also took his wife Shelly. “I bought three tickets (to the game) – I took my wife, myself and I had a brother in Toronto- I took him to the game. “The (game) tickets cost me $1,200.” Seventh in the Northlands drivers’ standings with 15 wins this fall and fourth on the trainer leader board, Gray has 12 pacers entered over the next three cards (Nov. 29-Dec. 1). Doubling Up? Trainer Robin Chase believes Outlawindependance can smell big piles of money. The four-year-old harness mare only has one win in 20 starts this year – but that win came in the $103,395 Prairie Gold Stake at Northlands Park in the spring. “She knew it was a $100,000 race and she had to win,” quipped Chase in the Northlands Park paddock this week. “She knew when the money was down.” If that is really the case, Outlawindependance is a good bet to win Friday’s (Nov. 23) $73,695 Prairie Gold Stake (the fall version) at Northlands. But the program lines will tell you something different. The 2006 Alberta Harness Horse of the Year finished a disappointing/stunning seventh (beaten six lengths) in the Prairie Gold elimination heat last Thursday as the betting favourite. Dropping from the Fillies and Mares Open class to a restricted crop of four-year-old Alberta-sired mares, Outlawindependance seemed like a relatively sure bet last week. “She needed a little bit of a tightner,” reasoned Chase. “I think she’ll be better (this week).” That theory gains some merit given the fact a veterinarian checked over the daughter of Bomb Rickles this week and came away without any causes for concern. “The vet said she’s one of the soundest horses (for this time of the year),” continued Chase, who handles the bay pacer for owners Jim Martin, Greg Gillis and Gladys Schmitke. In hand to regular pilot Fred Gillis, Outlawindependance will start from Post 5 in the eight-horse field, directly outside of likely favourite Watch Over Me. A win for the Chase stable will raise the mare’s 2007 bankroll to $132,037. Considering her win-loss record on paper, that would be quite a financial total. But nothing compares to 2006 when she collected $274,088 from nine wins in 21 starts. Facing the top aged mares in the province in nearly every race this year – in the fillies and mares open – the competition has been much tougher. “She hasn’t been racing badly,” countered Chase. “That First Look (trained by Lance Ward) is on top of her game.” Indeed, Outlawindependance has lost the last five head-to-head meetings with First Look in the Fillies and Mares Open in Alberta. First Look is American-bred, making her ineligible for the Prairie Gold. Watch Me Go Harness trainer and driver Jean Francois Gagne quietly issued one of the understatements of the year in Alberta racing this week. “I guess she is fresh,” quipped Gagne on Friday morning (Nov. 16) when analyzing Watch Over Me’s win in the Prairie Gold elimination heat the night before. The context to that quote is simple: Watch Over Me has only made two starts this entire year. But even though she missed all of the big money races in the spring, the four-year-old pacing mare can earn $51,847 in the span of one week if she wins next Friday’s Prairie Gold stake final at Northlands Park. “It was a perfect trip – (for) the first time in her life,” said Gagne on Thursday’s elimination win when he sat in the pocket until the stretch drive to win by nearly two lengths in 1:56. The happiness right now is in sharp contrast to the headaches this spring for the trainer, driver and co-owner. While getting ready to race in May at Northlands Park, the talented mare suffered a ligament injury. It wasn’t anything really serious – but the timing was absolutely horrible. Watch Over Me needed six weeks to recover. But by then, the ultra-lucrative Northlands spring meet was over. “With the (racing) schedule, if you miss a month and a half you miss three-quarters (of the year),” said Gagne, who refused to take the Alberta-sired pacer to the Grand Prairie ‘B’ meet through the summer and early fall. “It was very frustrating.” So, in two starts this fall in Edmonton, she has earned $16,100 for her ownership quartet of Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen, Joe Tinelli and Brian Buckley. Needless to say, the Prairie Gold stake final for four-year-old Alberta-sired mares next week could salvage a rough year. Racing to TV The wheels are in motion for Alberta horse racing to return to a television set near you in 2008. “Once race dates and stake dates are announced we anticipate 10 live shows on CTV, with the Canadian Derby and (Alberta) Fall Classic slated for two hours of live TV (each),” said Jeff Robillard, the manager of marketing for Horse Racing Alberta. After 13 live shows this year, the telecasts will look different and be less expensive next year. “The show will change in 2008,” continued Robillard. “The industry will continue to be more responsible and accountable for each show. David Oberg – one of two executive producers (in 2007) - has stepped aside. “He expressed the industry now really has an ability and knowledge to put a good product forward. “The industry’s relationship with CTV has also paid off for 2008. “Airtime costs to the industry in 2007 were $150,000. But thanks to a key negotiation process and CTV/HRA working more efficiently together next year, airtime costs in 2008 are budgeted to come in at around $30,000.” As for the visual and audio changes – those will be clear from the moment the first show begins. “We will introduce new music, new opens (show introductions) and revisit our graphic package,” Robillard explained. The CTV stations across Alberta have televised live racing for the past five years. In 2006, an average of 133,000 viewers watched each broadcast. The 2007 rating numbers are expected soon. While the shows try to walk a fine line of entertaining casual fans while educating hard-core handicappers, the telecasts have definitely raised the betting handle. A clear example came during this year’s Canadian Derby card (Aug. 25) when $988,787 was wagered – making it one of the highest totals in nearly 10 years in Edmonton. A one hour and 40 minute lead-in of live coverage on CTV before the starting gate snapped open surely played a role in the high wagering figure. Getting ready for the Derby Trail With a taste of the Breeders' Cup still in their mouths, Alberta thoroughbred owner Danny Dion and trainer Reade Baker have a Kentucky Derby prospect for 2008. Undefeated two-year-old Bear Holiday is resting at the moment after being taken off the track in late August. But that will change soon as he will be prepped for the U.S. trail to the Kentucky Derby. "He is going to join me at Palm Meadows (in Florida)," said Baker, who is typically ased at Woodbine in Toronto. "An undefeated two-year-old, how do you get around that?" Baker trained Bear Holiday to three wins at Woodbine over three months this summer. Included in the hat trick of wins were two stake victories. "If everything works out perfect (after the first prep this winter), (he'll) come back to Keeneland for the Lexington (in April)," suggested Baker. In six of the last seven years the winner of the Lexington Stakes has advanced to the Kentucky Derby two weeks later. Past winners of the Lexington Stakes include Charismatic (1999 Derby winner) and Touch Gold (1997 Belmont Stakes winner). Bought for $250,000 US by Dion, Bear Holiday is a son of Harlan's Holiday. A winner of $3.6 million US, Harlan's Holiday won the Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes and Donn Handicap. He also finished second in the Dubai World Cup. Back on Balance Beam? Balanchine is hoping to get back on the beam before the fall harness meet ends at Northlands Park. Once considered one of the hotshot contenders for the Western Canada Pacing Derby this spring, the three-year-old pacer failed to qualify for last weekend's Albertan when he came up sick in the elimination heat. "He showed nothing saying that anything would be off," said assistant trainer Dawn Lupul of the elimination heat on Oct. 13. "We were very disappointed. We scoped him after the race - (he had a) throat infection." The sixth-place finish at 2-1 odds left him on the sidelines last Saturday for the $100,000+ Albertan final. But he returns to Northlands on Thursday (Oct. 25) in a non-winners of eight condition race as he preps for the $50,000 Rocky Mountain Stake in December. "I'd say he's 100 per cent right now," continued Lupul, who shares the responsibilities in the barn with registered trainer Larry Micallef. If Balanchine returns to form and starts in the Rocky Mountain (Dec. 8) at Northlands, that will likely be his last start in Alberta. Lupul and Micallef are planning to return to Ontario this winter. "He raced against some really nice horses in the three-year-opens at Mohawk (earlier this year)," said Lupul. Balanchine looked so good in Ontario this fall - before he returned to Edmonton - that owners George Young and Al Neurauter were offered $125,000 to sell before he left Canada's top racing circuit. Searching for the key to an upset It has been a very strange year for Keystone Matt. However, an upset win in The Albertan - Saturday's $134,500 three-year-old colt/gelding stake - at Northlands Park, would end the campaign in fine style. Making just his fourth start of the year because of a significant injury this spring, the Don Monkman-trained pacer will be a longshot. But if you love comeback stories, this is the horse to cheer for. In his first official start of 2007, the bay colt broke stride twice in the Borden Park Stake at Northlands Park and finished 16 lengths behind the winner. If that wasn't enough, he missed the next six months with an injury that finally came to light in that Borden Park contest."He had a stress fracture in a knee," said Monkman."We were a little disappointed." Missing all of the big-money events in the spring - like the $175,000 Western Canada Pacing Derby - is definitely a setback, to say the least. But this brand new race for the short fall meet in Edmonton gives owners Don Byrne and Monkman a chance to make back some of the $25,000 paid to buy the Pennsylvania-bred son of Western Hanover. "He didn't race all the well the other day," said Monkman, referring to the colt's third-place finish in an elimination heat in 1:55. "Maybe he was green." That can happen with only three starts in one year. Facing favourites Bettor Tuwin and Trust The Artist - who both paced miles in 1:51 and change in their elimination heat - Keystone Matt can at least take solace in the fact he has Post 1. The race is set for Saturday (Oct. 20) at 4:42 p.m. and will be televised live on CTV Bettor Than The Rest? Bettor Tuwin has come home. The Alberta-owned three-year-old bay colt has returned to Northland Park – the same track he trained over this spring before leaving for Ontario. “He is back for the Albertan (stake),” said Northlands trainer Jeff McLeod, referring to the Oct. 20 stake race that will be televised live on CTV. Off for nearly a month since arriving from Canada’s harness-racing hotbed, Bettor Tuwin finished third in the Invite – the top class in Edmonton – on Oct. 6 in 1:53.4 over the Northlands surface. McLeod is hoping the Albertan will not be any tougher. “Hopefully we don’t have to go faster than about 1:53 and a piece,” he remarked as he slowly guided two horses to the track on Wednesday morning (Oct. 10). Bettor Tuwin certainly has plenty of speed within his sleek frame. Not once but twice this year he has paced winning miles in 1:50.2 at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario. The Fred Kruszelnicki-owned steed was also on the North American Cup and Confederation Cup trails this summer. In total, Bettor Tuwin made 12 starts across Ontario this season – winning five of them, including one stake (Burlington). The draw for the Albertan is slated for Oct. 17. Sale Weekend For the first time ever, the opening weekend of the fall harness meet at Northlands Park has to share the spotlight with the Alberta standardbred yearling sale. Traditionally held in the summer in Calgary, this is the latest date for the yearling sale in recent memory. And while fans will be watching the action on the track this weekend, industry executives will be paying very close attention to the results of the Sunday (Oct. 7) sale at the Northlands Sportex. With harness racing in a transitional phase - waiting for a new track in Calgary to hopefully open in 2009 - the financial numbers from this sale will be a good gauge on the health of the breed. "If our sale is as successful as last year, we would be happy," said Alberta Standardbred Horse Association executive director Ted Billo. The 2006 sale garnered an average price of $6,300. A total of 165 yearlings are entered this year, with the hammer dropping on the first horse at 11 a.m. With the sale on Sunday, the brief fall meet will be dark that afternoon. After opening on Friday night, there will also be cards on Saturday and Monday. The Fight is Over Teagues Fight will not answer the bell for the final big event on the Northlands Park stakes calendar. The top-tier thoroughbred will not be part of the Alberta Fall Classic card on Saturday (Sept. 29) due to an undisclosed injury. “He hurt himself running against True Metropolitan,” said trainer Doug MacDonald on Wednesday morning. “It tore him apart.” MacDonald is referring to the Westerner Handicap on Aug. 19 at Northlands, where Teagues Fight ran a gutsy second – beaten by a quarter length – to True Metropolitan. While MacDonald politely refuses to shed any light on the injury, he admits his prize four-year-old gelding is on the shelf for the rest of the year but is not facing a career-ending problem. “If I put him away for the year, I’ll have a horse for next year,” he said.“He should be able to make $100,000 a year for the next two years.” Teagues Fight has $123,000 in 2007 earnings from three wins in six starts. All three of those victories came in stake races. He could have added the $75,000 Alberta Breeders’ Handicap to that list this weekend if he was healthy. Now MacDonald can only look to next year with the Max Gibb-owned steed. But one thing is etched in stone: Teague’s Fight will not battle True Metropolitan – the reigning Sovereign Award winner – next season. “I think it would be absolute stupidity to hook him,” quipped MacDonald. The 2007 Fall Classic will air live on CTV from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday. Outside Journey Footprint is going to have to conquer Post 8 if he’s to win the B.C. Derby on Sunday in Vancouver. The Canadian Derby champion is one of 10 starters for Hastings Park’s signature race. But he’s not getting any respect on the morning-line set by TV handicapper Mike Heads. Although he has won three straight stakes in Alberta, Footprint is the third choice on the morning line at 4-1 odds. “He should be the favourite,” said Vancouver racing secretary Lorne Mitchell after the draw on Thursday (Sept. 20). Vancouver-based Sir Gallovic is the overwhelming 8-5 favourite after two consecutive wins by 14 combined lengths. But only one win was a stake race. Sir Gallovic does have a better post, though, beginning the one-mile and one-eighth test from the four hole. The bigger snub on the morning line comes with the second choice, as Ookashada – the third-place finisher in the Canadian Derby – is rated at 7-2 odds. In total, five of the seven starters in the Canadian Derby are entered in the B.C. Derby. Besides Footprint and Ookashada, the field includes Rage Till Dawn (Post 1), Amazin Blue (Post 2) and Gandolf (Post 10). With Footprint being Breeders’ Cup eligible, the Edmonton-based runner would take home $161,700 with a win in Vancouver on Sunday. Post time is 6:25 p.m. MT. Still on the Derby Trail On the heels of winning the Canadian Derby in Edmonton, Footprint has been nominated to the B.C. Derby. The Edmonton-based three-year-old must continue to train in fine form to be entered next week – but all indications so far indicate a trip to Vancouver for the $250,000 (added) nine-furlong test on Sept. 23. “Footprint has proven himself to be a talented colt,” said co-owner Derek Milen. “Racing fans deserve the opportunity to see this colt race one more time this year. “The colt remains sound and is giving every indication to his handlers that he wants to continue to train and race. “In addition, the prestige of winning the B.C. Derby is alluring.” With earnings of $360,000, a win at Hastings Park would push his career bankroll past $500,000. Considering he was purchased for just $12,000 by Milen, Elwin Page and trainer Joan Petrowski, that is a heck of an investment. A winner of three straight, Footprint is already a shoe-in to be named Alberta’s 2007 Thoroughbred of the Year – regardless of what happens in Vancouver next weekend. But winning a Sovereign Award is out of the question because Milen indicates the B.C. Derby will be Footprint’s last race this year if he enters. To win a Sovereign, Footprint would likely have to go to Woodbine after the B.C. Derby or try a major money event in the U.S. to catch the eye of eastern-based voters. The draw for the B.C. Derby is set for next Thursday. As of late Wednesday night (Sept. 12), the rest of the nominations for the B.C. Derby hadn’t been publicly posted. Longshot Wonder Trainer Rick Hedge is as realistic as they come in the Northlands Park backstretch. Entered in the $100,000 Speed to Spare Championship on Saturday (Sept. 8) in Edmonton with Beau Brass, Hedge is realistically hoping for a certain finish at the wire. “I guess second (place),” said Hedge after the draw for the five-horse field. Hedge isn’t alone in thinking that because True Metropolitan – one of Canada’s top horses – will start from Post 5 in the one-mile and three-eighths marathon. A stakes winner at Woodbine this summer, True Metropolitan has actually captured stake titles at three different tracks across the nation this summer on his way to $258,000 in season earnings. So, Canada’s reigning Sovereign award winner in the older horse category will be the overwhelming favourite at post time. (4:40 p.m., CTV) But Hedge is throwing Beau Brass in the field hoping for a repeat of history. The seven-year-old Alberta-bred gelding has a very impressive record in three trips to the Speed to Spare. “We won it twice and run second in it (the other time),” said Hedge. Ironically, both victories – in 2004 and 2005 – came with jockey Real Simard. Fresh off winning the Canadian Derby last month with Footprint, Simard will be in the irons on Saturday with Beau Brass – once again. Starting from Post 3, the Tom White-owned steed will be trying to win his first stake race since the Speed to Spare in 2005. If he pulls off the shocking upset over True Metropolitan and captures the $60,000 winner’s share, that will push his career earnings to $519,000. Undefeated Wonder True Metropolitan – the reigning Alberta thoroughbred of the year – could run his Northlands Park undefeated string to five career races next Saturday in the $100,000 Speed to Spare. A group of nine is nominated for Edmonton’s title race for older horses, but nothing compares on paper to True Metropolitan. Not only is undefeated at Northlands, he is also unbeaten at the distance (one-mile and three-eighths) in his career. If he enters the Speed to Spare next Wednesday morning, he will be trying for a hat trick at the marathon length. Owned by Bob Cheema and trained by Terry Jordan from Vancouver, True Metropolitan has won at three different racetracks this year – Edmonton’s Northlands, Vancouver’s Hastings Park and Toronto’s Woodbine – at three different distances. The most impressive win, though, came at Woodbine on July 1 when he captured the $200,000 Dominion Day Handicap. A Grade 3 event, he carried top Canadian rider Todd Kabel to victory. With four wins on six starts in 2007, the Sovereign Award winner can up his season earnings to $318,000 and career bankroll to $780,000 with a win next Saturday in Edmonton. The race will be televised live on CTV Alberta from 4-5 p.m. If he’s part of the field, it will be the first time he has ever appeared on network TV in the province this year. The Derby Seven A field of seven – the smallest field since 2001 – is set for Saturday’s Canadian Derby. Here is a breakdown of every three-year-old in the group. Post time Saturday is 4:42 p.m. (CTV 3-5 p.m.) Amazin Blue Trying to become the first horse since Fancy As in 2001 to record the Alberta Derby-Canadian Derby double. Amazin Blue won the Alberta Derby in June at Stampede Park by half a length. Forget his most recent race in California. With Quincy Welch calling the shots, he is a major contender to win. Footprint Yes, he could be the next superstar thoroughbred in Edmonton. Winning two straight Derby preps in Edmonton by more than 12 lengths combined is impressive on paper. But before hammering down your money on him, just consider this question: What did he beat in those last two races? Questioning the talent of the local competition is a must. Gandolf A maiden with eight lifetime starts doesn’t usually get a lot of consideration in any Derby. But look at his last Beyer number in California. He deserves a long look, especially because his trainer believes he can go the marathon distance. Greenwood Meadow Training since 1969, Dale Saunders has never won the Derby. If he wins it this year, it will qualify as one of the biggest upsets in Northlands history. This gelding hasn’t been in the same area code as Footprint in the last two races. Ookashada After losing in the Alberta Derby, he has won back-to-back stakes in Vancouver. Even better, he has more conditioning under his belt than during his last trip to Alberta. This is a horse that can’t be left off Triactor tickets. Rage Till Dawn Faced a near impossible task in the Manitoba Derby: trying to catch a loose horse on the lead. Finished second in Winnipeg’s biggest race and earned a ticket here. If the pace is contested, he could definitely close from the clouds at great odds. Weather Warning An easy winner in the Manitoba Derby – but had an uncontested lead nearly every single step of the way. But if that gives you concern, keep this positive piece of news in mind: he’s a sound son of Storm Cat. Two Times The Fun? Peter Redekop is hoping to hit pay dirt two times in three years. The Vancouver thoroughbred owner is planning on sending Amazin Blue – the winner of the Alberta Derby – to Edmonton for the $300,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 25. This marks the second time in three years that Redekop is gunning for the title – and he would like nothing more than a repeat of 2005. Alabama Rain captured the Derby that summer, leaving Redekop $189,000 richer. This year he paid $100,000 US to claim Amazin Blue at Santa Anita – and the goal soon became to race in the three major Western Canadian Derby races. The Canadian Derby is the second leg of that crown, with Redekop hoping he doesn’t see a repeat of his chestnut colt’s last outing. After winning the Alberta Derby, the colt returned to his California home to run seventh in an allowance race at Del Mar on July 19. “He didn’t run good at all,” said Redekop on Wednesday (Aug. 15). “But I just talked to the trainer two days ago and he is working very well.” The plan is to fly the colt north to Edmonton from California. Redekop is hoping Quincy Welch will ride at Northlands, but a commitment hasn’t be given to his knowledge. Welch rode Amazin Blue to victory in the Alberta Derby. And if everything goes according to plan – with Amazin Blue running strong in Edmonton he will start in the B.C. Derby this fall in Vancouver, the final leg of the Western Derby quest. Cinderella in the making? Every racetrack – no matter where on this continent – is full of good stories. The latest example at Northlands Park comes from Jim Meyaard’s stable with Beth’s Best Bet. Bought for $1,500 US in a private deal, she is undefeated in her young career and is entered in Saturday’s (Aug. 11) $100,000 Sonoma Stake. “It’s ridiculous,” said the filly’s exercise rider Amber Dickenson on the purchase price. The story, though, isn’t ridiculous. It actually has the makings of being a Cinderella tale if she wins Saturday in Alberta’s highlight three-year-old filly race of the year. “Everybody had a chance at her,” said Meyaard, referring to the fact she went through a sale ring but wasn’t sold. “The agent came up to me (after the sale) and said: ‘Interested in a cheap three-year-old filly?’ “I said: ‘Not really.’” Fifteen minutes later, that same agent returned for a second sales pitch and convinced Meyaard to at least take a look at Beth’s Best Bet. The rest is history. It was almost love at first sight when Meyaard saw her. “I said: ‘Wow!’” recalled the trainer. Raised by the same people that brought along Rock Hard Ten as a baby, Beth’s Best Bet has raced twice in Edmonton – winning her two races by a combined 10 lengths. She has Post 2 on Saturday with jockey Rickey Walcott. It will be her first route race and her first test against ultra-talented Tanika, the current queen of the circuit. So, she will not carry the favourite tag. But she could be the darling of the track when the race is over. Fantastic Filly Is history repeating itself four years later? Superstar filly Raylene rode a magical wave through the summer of 2003 to capture the Canadian Derby for Calmar Stables. Now four years later, Tanika is the queen of the three-year-old filly division with the $100,000 Sonoma Stakes next Saturday (Aug. 11) at Northlands Park. Carrying a record of five wins in seven lifetime starts - including back-to-back stake victories for Calmar Stables last month - is she Derby bound if she wins the Sonoma? "She would have to win pretty impressively to go to the Derby," said co-owner Kevin Lung, who is worried about the small size of this Kentucky-bred filly. "She would have to blow the pack away." Bought for $18,000 US, she has earned $154,000 in her short career. "She is all heart," continued Lung. "This filly just wants to win. "It is incredible- she won't give up." But in terms of pure talent, she is not in Raylene's neighborhood yet. "Raylene is in a league of her own," added Lung. "Raylene is a filly that comes once in 10 lifetimes." Indeed, Raylene earned a staggering $776,361 before being retired to a broodmare. The Sonoma Stakes is the next CTV broadcast, airing live next Saturday from 4-5 p.m. The Heavyweight Champ Teagues Fight steps back into the ring – or more appropriately onto the Northlands Park track – Saturday afternoon for the $75,000 Don Fleming Handicap. Carrying a record of six wins in his last seven starts – all being stake races – the four-year-old gelding is on one heck of a roll. “I’m as surprised as anyone,” said trainer Doug MacDonald this week in his Edmonton stable, “after he went through colic surgery (last fall).” It was last November when Teagues Fight was quickly hauled to the Moore and Company vet clinic just north of Calgary with a bad case of colic. “He had been turned out for a while. It was a freak (thing when it happened),” elaborated MacDonald. Some horses have a very tough time recovering from colic surgery, but Teagues Fight has barely missed a beat. His only loss in this seven-race stretch – which dates back to September 2006 – was to Test Boy in the Teeworth Plate this spring in Calgary. Test Boy returns for another shot at the heavyweight champ of the Alberta older horse division this weekend. But it will be tough to score a victory against the favourite because he is racing in Edmonton. Eight of his 10 lifetime wins have come at Northlands. “A lot of it has to do with the fact there is no (grandstand) in the infield,” said MacDonald, referring to the rodeo stands in the Stampede Park infield. Fewer distractions seem to equal more success for this Alberta-bred son of Devonwood. Can he make it seven wins in eight starts? Post time Saturday is 4:40 p.m. Codio Coming A new face will soon appear on the Canadian Derby trail. Codio has arrived in Greg Tracy’s barn at Northlands Park and is scheduled to make his first start in Canada on Aug. 4 in the $75,000 Count Lathum Handicap. “It looks like he is super sound,” said Tracy of his American import. “He is training good and he eats good. Everything looks good about him right now.” His past performance chart also has some good type on in it. A $130,000 US purchase out of a Keenland sale in 2005, the three-year-old bay colt has been running under the guidance of top American trainer Steve Asmussen. He won a maiden allowance race at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend, then finished third in another allowance race at the famed track in late May. On his way to Edmonton for owner Stan Ryan, he finished seventh in the $250,000 US Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. “I blew him out an easy 3/8ths the other day,” continued Tracy. “We are going to go 5/8ths with him on this Saturday (July 21) and the next week. “He shipped really well.” Tracy could have elected to run him in the $100,000 Manitoba Derby on Aug. 6 in Winnipeg but he wants his Derby contender to get used to the smaller track. “It’s only $25,000 difference (in purse value) and I want to run him on a bull ring,” said Tracy. “I don’t want to ship him around. He is well trailer broke (already).” The $300,000 Canadian Derby is set for Aug. 25 at Northlands. Back on the Derby Trail Trainer Stu Simon has placed Sin Toro back on the Canadian Derby trail, hoping for a win in Saturday's Ky Alta Handicap to vault him to the front of the pack. Starting from Post 4 in the $75,000 Northlands tilt, the son of legendary Holy Bull will become the top local contender for the $300,000 Derby if he can beat his seven challengers. "He's legit," said Simon while in his Northlands Park stable this week. Until a narrow one-length win in the Western Canada Handicap on Canada Day in Edmonton, that statement couldn't have been made with much authority. The three-year-old grey gelding was a disappointment in both Alberta Derby preps in Calgary. In fact, his 19-length loss in the Hoofprint on My Heart Handicap forced Simon to abandon Alberta Derby dreams in late May. But Simon believes there were excuses at Stampede Park. "He got caught in deep going (on the Calgary track)," he said. In both Stampede starts, he was racing on an off-track. That led to problems elsewhere. "He had trouble with his throat," continued Simon. "He swallowed a bunch of sand." With a projected high of 31C on Saturday, the track shouldn't be an issue in Edmonton. Of course, it never has been in the past for Sin Toro. He is 2-for-2 on the Northlands surface in his young career. Jake Barton will ride Saturday in the one-mile test. Post time is 4:42 p.m. Testing the Water Test Boy is passing the financial test so far. Claimed for $50,000 US out of the Fairgrounds in New Orleans in March, the four-year-old gelding is looking for his second Alberta stake win in two months when he starts in the $50,000 Spangled Jimmy Handicap on Saturday (July 7) at Northlands Park. But this story would have never been written if it weren't for a solid sales pitch and a gambling attitude from trainer Robertino Diodoro. One look at his form raises question marks because the runner only started once in 2006. Diodoro was willing to gamble - but needed to convince owner Robert Morgan to dig deep in his pockets. The sales pitch was simple. Diodoro told Morgan: "You keep saying you want a good horse, here is your chance." A little investigative work on the day of the claiming race in New Orleans proved the extensive layoff last year wasn't from any life threatening. "The reason why he only had one start last year: it was an injury that was caused in the stall," relayed Diodoro. "It was just something that didn't heal up. "It wasn't a ligament (problem) or chip (in an ankle)." Almost four months later, Test Boy has a $50,000 Teeworth Plate (Stampede Park) victory to his credit. Now he has to overcome Post 9 in Saturday's Spangled Jimmy Handicap. "I think this track will be better for him - not quite as sharp (are) the turns," said the personable trainer. Carrying 120 pounds with jockey Rickey Walcott, Test Boy is carrying the second most weight to Teagues Fight (122 pounds). But life could be worse - much worse: True Metropolitan - Alberta's reigning Horse of the Year - is still tearing up the track in Toronto, meaning he isn't around to cause havoc this week. Post time Saturday is 4:05 p.m. Lucky Seven? Doug MacDonald is hoping seven is She’s Italian’s lucky number. The outstanding four-year-old filly will try to make it seven straight wins on Saturday afternoon in the $75,000 Wild Rose Handicap at Northlands Park. Owned by Max Gibb and trained by MacDonald, the Alberta-bred runner will be the overwhelming favourite – but carries 123 pounds, four more than her nearest competitor. “I don’t know how many more starts they will give me here before they chase me out of here (because of weight),” said MacDonald, knowing every win she gets will earn her at least one more pound for her next start. A homebred for Gibb, She’s Italian nearly landed in Stu Simon’s barn last year. He had a deal cooking to buy the filly for $75,000-$100,000 before Gibb pulled the plug. In this six-race winning streak – which dates back to last September – the exceptional steed has earned $162,120. “She is a freak of nature,” added MacDonald. “She got on that winning streak last fall and she plain doesn’t know how to get beat right now. “It is kind of fun keeping this little streak going here.” With Jake Barton – the rider for every win on the streak – back in the irons on Saturday (June 30), She’s Italian will break from the rail in a nine-horse field. Going six-and-a-half furlongs over the Northlands course, the daughter of Hail The Ruckus has another streak going: she has never lost at this distance – going three-for-three. But all streaks come to an end and Montero – a B.C. import – ships through the Rockies on Thursday with full intention of knocking off the local champ. The last time She’s Italian lost it was to a Vancouver invader – Langara Lass in the $100,000 Sonoma Handicap last August. Canada Day Party When the Northlands Park thoroughbred meet starts Friday night, the reigning champion won't be around. True Metropolitan - the 2006 Alberta thoroughbred of the year - is getting set for his third start of the season in Toronto on Canada Day. Among 26 nominated steeds for the $200,000 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine, True Metropolitan will be trying to run his overall 2007 record to three wins in four starts. (The five-year-old made one start this year in his old home of Vancouver.) "He's training like he's 110%," said trainer Terry Jordan on Wednesday (June 20). "He's going better than he ever has. "We're training him two miles a day to keep him calm. He is just beside himself." Where True Metropolitan goes from the Dominion Day Stakes, though, is the most interesting story. Based in Vancouver, Jordan would like to run the steed in the $300,000 US Longacres Mile on Aug. 19 just outside of Seattle. If that happens, True Metropolitan could stop in Edmonton along the way from Toronto for the $75,000 Don Fleming Handicap on July 28 before returning for the $100,000 Speed to Spare Handicap on September 8. While touring across the country - from Vancouver to Toronto last year - the gifted runner won three Edmonton stakes (Spangled Jimmy, Westerner and Speed to Spare) before claiming the Sovereign Award for Canada's top older horse. All told, he earned a staggering $416,000 last season for owner Bob Cheema. Derby Dreaming Cory Wagner is trying to write one of those great Alberta Derby championship stories. At the tender age of 27, Wagner will take his first crack at Derby glory on Saturday afternoon (June 16) at Stampede Park with local favourite Chief’s Magic – a horse that almost never arrived in this province. Searching for an aged mare to claim, Wagner thought he might have found the right one at Gulfstream Park in Florida on March 30. The Edmonton-based owner was out-shook for the mare, though, leaving him empty-handed. But that dose of racing luck has produced one heck of a ride ever since. With money to spend and a desire to find a good horse, Wagner kept looking that spring afternoon – and found Chief’s Magic entered in a $62,500 claiming race at Santa Anita Park in southern California. “I literally made a pro and con list on Chief’s Magic and the only con was Bob Baffert,” said Wagner, referring to Baffert being the gelding’s trainer. That fact also had Robertino Diodoro’s phone line burning with bad vibes. Diodoro – who is Wagner’s Alberta trainer – phoned 10 different people in the California thoroughbred game during the hours leading to race time at Santa Anita that day to check on Chief’s Magic. Eight of out 10 people delivered a simple message: Don’t do it – horses claimed off of Bob Baffert don’t progress. However, Wagner decided to make the claim – and it has worked out so far. Back-to-back stake wins in Calgary under Diodoro’s care has put the son of Chief Seattle in the role of hotshot local contender for Cowtown’s biggest race. “We’re cautiously optimistic, but it’s a horse race, who knows what will happen,” said Wagner. “We’re going in thinking we have the best horse.”The proof will come at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday. CHIEF CHATTER: Wagner is in just his second year of owning thoroughbreds in Alberta after emailing the HBPA last season to find a trainer… Wagner stayed involved in the game after an initial bad taste. He claimed Blinkanhesgone last summer for $30,000 from Red Smith’s stable. Two starts later he practically blew apart, leaving him with an expensive mistake. “Staying true to his name, it was blink and he’s gone,” quipped Wagner. Super Longshot Super Sunrise is a super longshot for Saturday’s $175,000 Western Canada Pacing Derby. With just one win in eight starts this year, that’s no surprise. But the story behind how Rene Goulet found himself in his first ever Derby is worth writing about. When longtime trainer Al Goertzen retired before the start of the spring meet, Super Sunrise stayed within the family. A nephew to Goertzen, Goulet received the three-year-old As Promised colt with a lofty prediction. “(Goertzen) has been pretty confident that this horse was going to make it to the Derby,” recalled Goulet, a longtime trainer in the West. “When he kind of flattened out at 1:57, we weren’t quite sure.” Then the young steed got sick, forcing Goulet to miss the $87,866 Adios Pick Stake. “He had a bit of a fever and we were concerned but he was eating and everything – being himself,” said Goulet. “By the time we threw the harness on, his temperature went way higher than it should have been.” But Goertzen turned out to be right. Goulet is making his first ever trip to the biggest dance at Northlands Park. After leaving Robert Murphy’s B.C.-based operation and moving to Edmonton last year, his barn is finally getting noticed. However, he’s hoping to share Saturday’s spotlight with Goertzen and owner Jim Rhodes. “I am hoping (Goertzen) is going to come up,” said Goulet. “And this would be the first time for Jim to make it up (this year). “It would be nice if they could make it up and watch him race because that is what Al’s major plan was in the first place.” Dancing to the Derby Title? Boy, has life changed for Balanchine and Don Monkman in the last month. Once considered longshots in the Western Canada Pacing Derby picture, they will be front and centre in the next 10 days. After an 11-1 upset win in the Sliver Buckets Stake on May 12, Balanchine and his trainer/driver head to this weekend’s Pacing Derby elimination heats (June 2) at Northlands Park with high expectations. In fact, if Balanchine wins the Pacing Derby final next Saturday (June 9), it will be Monkman’s first ever driving victory in Edmonton’s most prestigious harness race. But don’t even think of trying to smack the favourite label on the three-year-old bay colt. “It will be all (up to the) trip,” said Monkman in his barn Wednesday morning. “We worked a pretty good trip in the Silver Buckets, but that is not to say it will happen again.” A pocket-sitting trip behind Lilsharkshooter left Balanchine with enough gas in tank to win by a head at the wire in the Buckets. Bought for $20,000 US, the Blissfull Hall son has now earned $66,840 this season. Expectations and the storyline behind Monkman – driving since the 1960s but still no Derby title – even led to a TV production crew spending a couple of days in his Northlands stable to film a feature for CTV’s Derby telecast. Now he just has to pass the elimination test on Saturday night. BALANCHINE BANTER: The young pacer is named after a Russian choreographer of ballet… It seems the offspring from the dam Lite On Her Feet are traditionally named after dancing terms… With the Russian theme in mind, Balanchine’s barn name is Vladimir… The current ownership trio – Monkman, Don Byrne and Darcy Paulson – actually had a fourth member until the partner dropped out because there is no live harness racing in the Calgary market this year. One Unique Road Show Recovered from a potentially lethal abscess on a lung, Canadette and her band of merry followers will try to win the most prestigious filly race in Western Canada this weekend. Entered in the $175,000 Northlands Filly Pace on Saturday (May 26), the three-year-old steed will be competing in her seventh six-figure stake final. Interestingly, she has never lost a six-figure race when she has been favoured - winning the $112,000 Robert Stewart Stakes and the $130,000 O.S.S. Gold Final last summer in her home province of Ontario. Those were the happy times last year before she was taken to the university-based vet clinic in Guelph last fall for the abscess problem. Fortunately, she seems to have totally recovered and is approaching her speedy form from last year. After winning a Northlands Filly Pace prep race last weekend by more than five lengths, she'll likely be favoured again on Saturday for her intriguing connections. Picking up the driving assignment is Randy Fritz, who will try to make it 2-for-2 in his career in Edmonton. The 39-year-old Ontario pilot made his first ever start at Northlands a winning one last Saturday in the prep race. Trainer Gregg McNair is hoping for the same luck - as he has never set a foot on Northlands property. Not in Edmonton last weekend, the 46-year-old Ontario-based conditioner is scheduled to join his star filly and groom this weekend. Owner Robert Chapple is hoping to have more luck than his father in Edmonton. In 1991, Bob Chapple brought Apaches Fame to Northlands for the $200,000 Stewart Fraser - but the future hall of fame colt finished third in his one and only start in Edmonton. Fast Facts: The Apaches Fame connection also runs deep with Fritz, as his father Bud trained the colt... It has been six years since an import has captured the Filly Pace. Red Star Kelsey was the last pacer to accomplish the feat, winning in 2000... Canadette will be going against a former stablemate on Saturday, as Real Beauty will be entered for Keith Clark. McNair trained Real Beauty last year until she was sold and brought west to Clark's Edmonton stable. Flight Grounded Jack Beelby has all the right in the world to moan about his hard-luck story with Charter Flight. He could whine about all the stake races his filly has missed. He could complain about the racing gods not being on his side at the most critical time of the year. He could be kicking himself for not selling her sometime in the last year for a six-figure sum when she was actually on top of the Alberta racing circuit as an undefeated star. But you won't hear any of that in his Northlands Park stable. "I have been around too long," said the trainer/driver in his barn. "I know the pitfalls - you just ride it out." This was supposed to be Charter Flight's most important stretch of her racing career. With the $175,000 Northlands Filly Pace set for next weekend (May 26), it doesn't get any bigger or richer in Western Canada. But Charter Flight is stuck in her stall - literally - because of an OCD chip in her hawk on her left hind leg. Undefeated in her six two-year-old starts last year, the Alberta-bred daughter of Mattduff has only raced once this year. "The first night (March 23) when I did race her, I knew she wasn't right when she got beat and I finished second," said Beelby, who is also the only owner of the filly. "The next day out (in training) I could see something there, so then I X-rayed and we saw what the problem was. "I was relieved, actually. "I mean, it is bad timing, but I didn't want to see a hairline fracture. "So I took her down to Calgary to Moore's clinic." That is where she had surgery to remove the chip. Now resting in a double stall in the Northlands barn area, there is no swelling around the left hind leg. "It is just a matter of rehab," said Beelby. But the kicker to this story is the fact Beelby could have sold her for big dollars - the rumour mill suggest upward of $200,000 - if he had negotiated with one of several interested buyers in the last year. But none of that seems to bother him. "I never second-guess myself," he remarked. "I am still happy I have her." On the positive side, there are a few lucrative races during the fall meet, which is when she's scheduled to return. And there is the possibility she could go to Ontario next year with Beelby's son Clark, who trains on the Woodbine circuit. Rod Hennessy KEEP YOUR HEAD UP On the track or in the barn, it's wise to keep your head up around Rod Hennessy. Never shy to hook into a speed duel on the track, the ultra-competitive trainer/driver has been known to get under the skin of competing horsemen at Northlands Park. But in the barn, any reporter would be wise to be paying attention because nobody on the track offers a better quote or interview. Consider this dandy during the week before the Silver Buckets Stake (May 12) at Northlands Park: "I think (Barona Ferrari) is a better horse than Dudes Leaving Town or Weekend Bernie," said Hennessy in his outside stable. "They didn't pace this good at his age." Considering Weekend Bernie never lost an Alberta sire stake in his career and Dudes Leaving Town earned $540,000, that is big praise. Barona Ferrari enters the Silver Buckets final with just one loss in nine career starts and $147,000 in the bank. He also boasts a career 1:55 mark. Winning his last four races by a combined 21 lengths, the Alberta-bred pacer will take plenty of action at the windows. But this will be his first step up in a stake final this year against outside bred horses - and Hennessy freely admits that he believes Jeff Stone has the best three-year-old in the Northlands Park stables with Lilsharkshooter. The proof will come Saturday. Post time is 4:40 p.m. WORTH REMEMBERING Hennessy claims to have a three-year-old pacer "in hiding" for the Western Canada Pacing Derby in June. Knowing he will likely need a stablemate to win Edmonton's most prestigious harness race, Hennessy is hoping to soon see a new arrival in his barn to join Barona Ferrari in the big dance. ROD RAMBLINGS Hennessy trained Hyperion Hanover to last year's Western Canada Pacing Derby title, watching the import pacer win by six lengths in 1:52 with driver Paul MacKenzie... However, Hennessy has never driven a Pacing Derby champion. HENNESSY FILE Trainer/Driver Age: 52 Home: Millet, AB Experience: Started driving at 16. Money: $13.3 million driving earnings (May 8, 2007); $10.3 million training earnings (May 8, 2007) Stable Star: Barona Ferrari - top Alberta-bred three-year-old gelding Past Champions: Hyperion Hanover (2006 Western Canada Pacing Derby winner), Weekend Bernie ($462,000 in earnings, 12-for-12 in Alberta Sired Stakes), Warrawee Flash ($268,488 in earnings, 2004 Rocky Mountain Stake winner)