There was an electricity in the air for opening day at RMTC. It was a long winter and the pent-up demand to watch some great horse racing was obvious. The indoor areas were overflowing and the stands, along with the tarmac area were bustling with people. 

Live racing kicked off right where the fall left off, with trainer Lyle Magnuson's maiden filly, Sterling Alv, winning race one with Lyle's regular rider, Larris Allen on board for the victory. This trainer/jockey combination were lethal last year, and they appear poised to do so again as they also teamed up for victory with Charlie's Gold in the fourth race.

Well-known Alberta owners and breeders, Bar None Ranches picked up a victory with the Schramsberg colt, Classy Vintage, trained by Les Adams and ridden to victory by J.B. Botello.

Dennis Speaks' mare, Time To Be A Hero, was victorious in her season Debut with Blandford Steward aboard. Blandford also picked up his second win of the day on TwoPenny, owned by John Halerwich and trained by Nellie Pigeau.

Jose Rocha was back in the winner's circle as well, with a gate-to-wire victory aboard the veteran, Pure Vertical. Jim Depew trains Pure Vertical for his wife Barb.

There were over 250 Red Hat women out to the races cheering with the locals and taking in the Kentucky Derby. Their sheer joy for the races was infectious, as you couldn't wipe the grin off of the fans in attendance.

It was truly an extremely successful day and bodes well for the spring meet at RMTC.