If you are going to celebrate Canada Day, and you train horses, then why not win three of the six races at the 112th Millarville Race Meet? Jill West did just that. Jill saw Philip Clunis win the first race of the day Saturday with Sugar King, giving her the winner’s portion of the purse, $2,650. She then won back-to-back races, the third and fourth.

Jill, who trains her husband Bill’s horses, along with a few other owners, is a relative of one of Lethbridge’s immortal horsemen, Bill West. Not only did Bill run horses but he was a director of horse racing for the Exhibition for many years.

Blazin Memo was brought home on top by Philip Clunis to win the third race and in the fourth, it was Blandford Stewart, astride Sharis Report, to give Jill her third win of the day. The third win gave Jill $7,950 for her one day holiday in Millarville. Blazin Memo and Sharis Report are owned by Jill’s husband, while Ron David owns Sugar King.

However, Lyle Magnuson, not to be outdone, picked up $5,300 in just one race as he watched Juan Apango ride Sportive home on top in the Millarville Derby. Jim Depew, who seldom goes to Millarville and comes away empty handed, was smiling again on Saturday afternoon. Jim watched Blandford Stewart ride the great Careless Hunter home first to take the Millarville Sprint, and pocket $3,710.

Nellie Pigeau was also smiling Saturday afternoon as Two Penny crossed the line ahead of the pack in the seven furlong second race. Juan Apango was aboard. In case you didn’t notice, every jockey who went to the winner’s circle, won two races apiece - Juan Apango, Blandford Stewart and Philp Clunis.