The biggest win of the day came for Carignan who guided With Council to a big five length score in the Northlands Marthon final. After finishing second in both the first two legs of the Marathon Series, it was finally With Council’s turn as he broke through and won by five emphatic lengths. Sent off as the 4/1 third choice in the field of eight, With Council settled in midpack early on as Taylor’s Tale and Northern Magic went out to be the early pace setters in the three lap, two mile event. Meanwhile favored Longboat Key settled back in the seventh position early under Amie Pooli in their familiar position. As the field moved down the backstretch, Carignan gave With Council his cue and he ran to the lead and pulled away on the far turn and drew off to win by five. Grand Request, who won Leg 1 of the series got up to run second while Longboat Key finally got going late, but could only manage a third place finish as the favorite.
It was the fourth win in twenty career starts for With Council and moved his career earnings to up over $95,000 for owners M and P Equipment and Met Set Limited. Leading trainer Dale Saunders conditioned With Council to the win.
Weekend Wrap Up 9/25-9/28
Krista Carignan finished the day with three winners, while Amie Pooli and Shannon Beauregard both had riding doubles. Girl Power indeed!
Live a Little holds off Real Dingo to win the Friday Feature at Northlands
Live a Little stalked the leader early, took the lead into the stretch and had to hold off a fast closing Real Dingo to win Friday Night’s $18,800 featured event at Northlands Park. Risky Call and Igotadeal went out and went head and head early on through an opening quarter of 24.60. Live a Little was put into the garden spot in third by Amie Pooli and Amie sat and waited patiently while those two continued their battle. Live a Little made his move down the backstretch and as the field went on the final turn, he started to edge away. Meanwhile Real Dingo and Rico Walcott had started their move. Real Dingo, the race favourite came after Live a Little on the turn and wasn’t necessarily gaining ground into the stretch. But once they straightened away, Real Dingo dug in though and rallied on the outside, but fell a head short in the end as Live a Little held on to win. Delta Court, who was last early on, rallied up to grab the third spot.
It was the 4th career win for Live a Little from fourteen starts and pushed his earnings up over $45,000 in his career for trainer Greg Tracy.
Broadway Empire takes the Oklahoma Derby
Broadway Empire dominated this year’s Canadian Derby here at Northlands Park, and he took his show on the road on Sunday as he tried the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby, facing one of the top three year olds in North America, Departing. Northlands leading jockey Rico Walcott flew down for the $400,000 race where he teamed up again with trainer Robertino Diodoro. Walcott put Broadway Empire right on the lead and they set a strong, but unpressured pace, going a quarter in :23.29 and a half mile in 46.71. Walcott kept the lead over Cameo Appearance onto the far turn and Departing tried to launch his bid on the outside. But Walcott asked Broadway Empire for his best as they straightened away, and the three year old responded, opening up a big lead before winning by four lengths.
Broadway Empire has now won 4 of 6 career races and has racked up $405,745 in earnings for his owners Randy Howg, Bob Butz, Fouad El Kardy, and Rick Running Rabbit, all Alberta residents. Winning trainer Robertino Diodoro indicated after the race that he didn’t know where Broadway Empire would race next, but that he will likely return to Turf Paradise or Santa Anita to continue his training.
Biggest Payoffs of the Week at Northlands Park 9/25-9/28
Biggest $2 Win Payout:
Race 7, 9/28/13 Majakat paid $16.60 to win
Biggest $2 Exactor:
Race 8, 9/25/13 Famequest/Jukebox Jack paid $181.60
Biggest $2 Triactor:
Race 8, 9/25/13 Famequest/Jukebox Jack/Due to Dazzle You paid $1,437.80
Biggest $1 Superfecta:
Race 8, 9/25/13 Famequest/Jukebox Jack/Due to Dazzle You/Officer Jones paid $2,353.35!
Biggest $1 Pick 4:
9/27/13 races 4 thru 7 paid $571.80!!!
North American Racing News
Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont
Winner: Ron the Greek
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
$2 Win pays: $44.00
Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont
Winner: Little Mike
Jockey: Mike Smith
$2 Win pays $16.80
Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont
Winner: Princess of Sylmar
Jockey: Javier Castellano
$2 Win pays: $6.20
Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita
Winner: Mucho Macho Man
Jockey: Gary Stevens
$2 Win pays: $5.20
Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita
Winner: Tiz Flirtatious
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
$2 Win pays: $5.40
Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita
Winner: Beholder
Jockey: Gary Stevens
$2 Win pays: $5.20
Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont
Winner: Graydar
Jockey: Edgar Prado
$2 Win pays $3.80
Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington
Winner: Broadway Empire
Jockey: Rico Walcott
$2 Win pays $5.40