Hoss Talk

One of the most popular programs on TV is Jeopardy, where contestants are given the answer and then provide the question.

With that in mind after seeing the names of a trainer and a driver who had a big weekend at Fraser Downs, it seemed only fitting to test your Jeopardy skills.

Question: She is a working mother of two daughters who trains horses at Fraser Downs and last Friday won three races?

Answer: Who is Ann Cooper.

Twenty-five years ago, at the request of a friend to help them with their horses, Cooper visited Cloverdale Raceway.

She immediately fell in love with the sport and decided to give horse racing a chance at making a living. She got her trainer's licence in 1996 but soon learned that getting started is tough, and even harder if you're a woman.

For years, Cooper's small stable mostly consisted of horses obtained through leasing with an owner -- that's usually where the trainer gets to pay all the bills, the horses usually aren't good enough to race much, and the payouts to the trainer are few and far between.

"Because I wanted to train horses and remain in the business, it was the only way someone would give me a horse to train," said Cooper. "It can become really frustrating. Especially when you truly believe in yourself and nobody wants to give you a chance to train their horses."

Then last year, Cooper's horsemanship caught the attention of friends who played for the Richmond Cowboys in the Richmond Industrial Hockey League..

"We were told about Ann through another horseman," said Dave Fair, co-owner of Cambie Stables. "And the fact she was a woman wasn't a factor on hiring her at all. Our bottom line was making money and having fun. With Ann, we accomplish that."

His assessment proved right, when their horse Madigan was one of three Cooper-trained winners on Friday night. That makes Cooper the first female trainer to win three races on one racing card at Cloverdale or Fraser Downs.

Question: He grew up within steps of Fraser Downs and won six races last Saturday?

Answer: Who is Jim Marino. When it comes to professional sports, the chances of an athlete being successful in his hometown are very slim.

This year, Marino has proved that premise wrong with 50 wins, ninth among all Canadian drivers.

FINISH LINES: Confirmed, from June 3 to September 30, Hastings Racecourse is adding Friday nights to its schedule. ... Going first class, TNT Stables' outstanding B.C Bred, Dancewithavixen has been bred to top Kentucky stallion Victory Gallop for a $35,000 US fee.

twolski@shaw.ca

(Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings on Citytv, Saturdays at 11 a.m.)

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com