Hoss Talk

     The fact that out of 15 categories only three connections with Hastings ties were named finalists -- Canyon Farms' Lord Shogun, Pacific Invader, (mother of B.C. Classic winner Vernon Invader) and Hastings top apprentice jockey Nicola     Wright -- shows again the presence of an East-over-West bias. 

     After all, what further explanation can be given for horses such as Shacane (Bellevue Oaks), Elana D'Amour (Dark Horse Stables), Cruisin Kat (Snow & Spevakow) and Grace For You (Dennis Draman) who were all impressive winners this year at Hastings, not making the cut for a final nomination. 

     Granted they all may have not been good enough to win a Sovereign Award, but at least one if not more should have been nominated. 
     It should prove interesting to see how Wright fares in the Top Apprentice category. Wright finished the year with 93 winners, including a victory in the BC Derby. Chances are she will likely finish second to Ontario rider Chantal     Sutherland, who rode 13 less winners. Both rode at a decent 18-per-cent win rate. Sutherland also won this award last year. 

     What will cost Wright a Sovereign is the smaller amount of $ 1,293,901 in purse money her horses won racing at Hastings. Sutherland, thanks to hefty purses at Woodbine, won $3,043,481 on her mounts. 

     Should Wright be penalized because she rides at a track with lesser purse opportunities? No. Will she? Yes. 

     MONEY GONE 

     Early this year, B.C. businessman Bill Boden purchased standardbred Del Norte for $40,000 plus allowances which hiked the purchase price to $60,000, making it the largest claim in Alberta standadbred racing. Last week, Del Norte won the  $30,000 Surrey Cup at Fraser Downs. 

     Boden, aside from being a major investor, is also an avid supporter of harness racing in this province. On Monday, he shipped the mare to Alberta. Why? Bigger purses generated by slot machines. 

     FINISH LINES 

     The Sport of Kings, Saturday, 11 a.m., Citytv, profiles driver Ron Waples. ... Attending the Jockey Benefit Association annual meetings in Orlando this week are local riders Chris Loseth, Dave Wilson and Frank Fuentes. Among several     topics discussed was the increasing cost of insuring jockeys. ... Woodbine jockeys recently held a barbecue and raised  $121,324 for three worthy causes, one of which was the Barn 7 Relief Fund that helps horsemen involved in this summer's Woodbine barn fire. ... Snowstorms on the East Coast cancelled racing Thursday at several tracks. Tip of the hat to Harold Barroby, who led trainers at Hastings this season with 49 winners; Terry Jordan, who had an amazing 52.5 winning percentage which led North American trainers; and Jockey Perdro Alvarado, for winning the riding title this season at Hastings. 

     Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, Saturday, 11 a.m., Citytv. 

     twolski@shaw.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@shaw.ca