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As local horsemen struggle to make it through the unusually cold spring training season here in Manitoba, the local chapters of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) hope to provide inspiration by inviting Jack Knowlton, owner of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, to be the keynote speaker at the 2007 Manitoba Thoroughbred Horse Awards Ceremony.
Knowlton, operating manager for Sackatoga Stable, a group of six high school friends from New York , lived the dream of every horseracing enthusiast by winning the Kentucky Derby and then coming home to New York with a shot at completing the elusive Triple Crown. Sackatoga Stable were deemed the blue collar guys in a sport full of blue bloods and became the talk of the town when they rented a yellow school bus to get all of their partners and their families to the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Now a champion of thoroughbred horseracing both in his home state of New York and nationally in the US, Knowlton has become an inspiration to smaller racing entities that are struggling to attract newcomers to the sport of horseracing in a world chocked full of casinos and internet wagering websites.
Along with Knowlton, the HBPA and CTHS will be honouring the top thoroughbred talent of 2007. Last year Assiniboia Downs saw an influx of racing talent not seen in recent history which provided the Winnipeg fans with the hottest action in town. On the eve of its 50 th season of live horse racing, the HBPA, CTHS and Assiniboia Downs invite everyone to come and enjoy a great evening Saturday, March 29. Tickets are on sale at Assiniboia Downs general office as well as the local HBPA and CTHS offices. Tickets are only $50.
Here are the nominees for top honours for 2007:
NOMINEES: Bella Mariella, Gem Drop, Meow Wow
This is a talented group of fillies and one of the harder categories to predict. Each has won and each has beaten the other on occasion. The slight edge might go to Meow Wow, owned by Martilet Stables (trainer: Randy Gray). Meow Wow is only stakes placed, but has a better race record then the other two. Money won goes to Bella Mariella, owned by Larry Falloon (trainer: Martin Drexler), but not by much.
NOMINEES: Bella Mariella, Gem Drop
Both of these fillies are stakes winners, however this award should go to Bella Mariella who won the CTHS Sales Stakes - Filly Division then finished third in the Buffalo Stakes at the end of the year.
NOMINEES: Dust De Gold, Eight By Ten, Vinegar Jim
Hands down this should be Eight By Ten’s award. A two time stakes winner of the CTHS Sales Stakes – Colt and Gelding Division and the Buffalo Stakes, Eight By Ten is owned by his breeder Dr. Betty Hughes (trainer: Lise Pruitt)
NOMINEES: Givem Hell Harley, Eight By Ten, Mikayla’s Baby
Mikayla’s Baby went four for four in 2007 in dominate fashion. He was also the overwhelming winner of the Winnipeg Futurity and looks to be the early favourite for this year’s Manitoba Lotteries Derby. Mikayla’s Baby is owned and trained by Aaron Sayler.
NOMINEES: Easters Lily, Shooting Astra, Smart Miss
Shooting Astra, owned by Larry Carter (trainer: Emile Corbel), won the R. C. Anderson Memorial Stakes then finished third to older horses in the Distaff. These two races might give her the edge over her fellow nominees. If the voters go for a more substantial race record, Dr. Betty Hughes’s Smart Miss (trainer: Lorna Gray) could get the nod. Smart Miss found her stride in June and finished in the money in eight of ten starts, including the R. C. Anderson, the North Dakota Stallion Stakes, and the Gold Strike Mile.
NOMINEES: Shooting Astra, Polynesian Kitty, Spillway, Easters Lily
Winner of this year’s Assiniboia Oaks and the Matron Breeders’ Cup, Polynesian Kitty should go home with this one. Polynesian Kitty is owned by Brad Butcher and trained by Jamie Ness.
NOMINEES: Command Thunder, Sir Officer, Super Duper Me
K-5 Stables’ Sir Officer (trainer Sylvester Ollivierre) was the convincing winner of the Manitoba Stakes early in the year. However illness claimed the life of the 3-year-old before the end of the season. His star shone bright enough early and he should get this award.
NOMINEES: Country Humor, Sir Officer, Rage Till Dawn, Weather Warning, Barak, Command Thunder, Super Duper Me
A large field of talented 3-year-olds has no clear cut winner, however winning the Derby Trial and finishing second in the Manitoba Lotteries Derby should give Rage Till Dawn a slight edge. Rage Till Dawn was owned by father and son Rob and Robert Nokes and Rosemari Pollock and was trained by Clay Brinson.
NOMINEES: Hurri Coin, Miss Doubletrouble, Thunder Sky
The saying, “You are only as good as the company you keep.” should give Luxiana Farm’s Hurri Coin a slight advantage. Never missing the board in seven starts including several open company allowance races, Hurri Coin’s consistency puts her at the top of this list. Hurri Coin was trained by both Chad Torevell and Randy Gray this season.
NOMINEES: Doctor Jane, Beshairt, Culpeper Moon, Thunder Sky
Culpeper Moon, owned by Shyman Farm (trainer: Martin Drexler), was the easy winner of the Winnipeg Sun Stakes on Derby weekend, then went West to finish a strong second to Monashee (nominated for best older mare nationally) in the City of Edmonton Distaff . Beshairt, owned by K5 Stable (trainer: Patti Ross), was the model of consistency finishing first or second in five of seven starts. Beshairt was the winner of the Canada Day Stakes after finishing second to Doctor Jane in the LaVerendrye.
NOMINEES: Brinello, Callie’s Wisdom, Resurgent, Win By A Margin
Brinello was the easy winner of the Agassiz Stakes and almost stole the show against the best of the best in the Gold Breeders’ Cup. He won’t have to steal this one. Brinello is owned and bred by Dr. Ross McKague (trainer: Carl Anderson)
NOMINEES: Callie’s Wisdom, Illusive Force, Arthurlooksgood, Brinello, Car Keys
Car Keys is the perfect example of hard work get things done. Car Keys, owned and trained by Gary Danelson, started the year running in optional allowance company and worked his way up the ladder eventually winning the R. J. Speers Memorial and coming second in the big dance, the Gold Breeders’ Cup. Never finishing off the board in eight starts, Car Keys definitely deserves this one.
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