EQUINE NIAGARA NEWS - Off to the Races with Nick Costa

Off to the Races with Nick Costa
June 24, 2010

Photo courtesy Fort Erie Racing

Hi everyone,  well it was just a matter of time before it happened and now that it has, CONGRATULATIONS go out to trainer Nick Gonzalez on reaching 1,000 career wins.  The accomplishment was originally thought to have occured on Monday, June 21st in Fort Erie's eigth race when the Gonzalez trained BOCA PASS crossed the finish line first, setting off a Team Gonzalez celebration in the winner's circle. However, it was discovered that BOCA PASS actually was the 1,001 winner for the 58 yr old trainer. It was later revealed that Klondike Jane, a horse that Gonzalez sent out to a second place finish in the last race of the Fort Erie 2009 season, but no longer trains, was awarded first place after a ruling, because the original winner, Back to You came up with a positive test result. That situation was finally and recently resolved, but wasn't released until sometime on Monday after Boca Pass had won. So therefore with the newly awarded win credited to him, it meant that Gonzalez unknowingly had already hit the 1,000 win mark the previous day at Woodbine when Michael's Bad Boy won the ninth race. Gonzalez saddled his first winner back in 1976 and led all trainers in wins at Fort Erie in 2009 and is currently Fort Erie's leading conditioner. He also maintains a stable of horses at Woodbine along with the help of his wife and top assistant, Martha. Team Gonzalez recently won the Plate Trial with Big Red Mike and Gonzalez will be bringing that 3 yr old to this years Queen's Plate, July 4th at Woodbine.

Personal Track Bias Observation: Fort Erie, June 13th-June22nd

June13th---Outside lanes favorable. Closers won both routes.

June 14th---No Bias

June 15th---Slight edge to runners on or near the lead. Stalkers rallied on outside paths in all routes.

June 20th---No Bias

June 21st---No Bias  Favorites won 5 of the 6 dirt contests. Second betting choice won the other dirt race.

June 22nd---No Bias

After 23 live racing days at Fort Erie, let's have a look at the leader board for both trainers and jockeys. (Courtesy of Equibase.com)

Leading Trainers at Fort Erie

Leading Jockeys at Fort Erie

REMINDER: The H.B.P.A. of Ontario will celebrate Owner/Trainer Appreciation Day on Sunday, July 11th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Any Ontario licensed owners and trainers are urged to contact the Fort Erie H.B.P.A office to get your tickets. Hope to see you there. 

Photo courtesy of Horse Racing Nation

QUEENS ARE WILD:  Since our last issue, our two racing queens, RACHEL ALEXANDRA and ZENYATTA were in action on back to back days and the third time proved to be the charm, as far as Rachel Alexandra was concerned. Despite being handed two dissapointing losses (both second place finishes) to start off the year, she entered the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis as an overwhelming 1-10 favorite and this time everything went according to plan. The 4 year old daughter of Medaglia D' Oro was put into a tracking position from the outset and continued that pursuit until the far turn, then that is when jockey Calvin Borel pushed the button and the champ took her cue and took care of the pacesetter, Jessica Is Back, then repulsed a brief challenge from Distinctive Dixie and proceeded to draw away to a romping 10 1/2 length victory in 1:48 3/5  while sticking her tongue out at her rivals. Her winning time is the fastest 1 1/8 Mile at this year's Churchill Downs spring meeting and it was 3/5 of a second faster than the boys time in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster just a few races later.  Hard to imagine, but it was the champ's first visit to the winners circle since last September. 

Watch the  race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37TaDAMDIkw

The very next day, Sunday, June 13th out in California at Hollywood Park, 6 year old Zenyatta displayed why she is an undefeated two time champion. With her regular pilot Mike Smith aboard, Zenyatta raced in her customary trailing position while wide on both turns, including a 5 wide move on the far turn and then began to power down the stretch. As the final stages of the stretch run began to play out, it looked as though Zenyatta might suffer her first defeat, but she dug in resolutely, kept coming and managed to hit the finish line a half length ahead of St. Trinians to win the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap. Zenyatta became the first filly to win three consecutive runnings of the Vanity. The win, which was her 17th straight, also enabled her to set the longest win streak by a modern-day thoroughbred in non-restricted races. A tremendous accomplishment for a horse that was purchased for $60,000 and has now earned over 6 million dollars. The winning time for the race was 1: 49. St. Trinians was a dazzling winner of the Grade 2 Santa Maria  back in February and was sent off as the betting favorite against the boys  in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March, a race she finished sixth. She got the early jump on Zenyatta as they turned for home and raced tenaciously before succumbing late.

Watch the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-fJpTGaPH8

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