Photo Courtesy of FortErieHorsePeople.com At Fort Erie, jockey Everton Bennett earned his first victory in Canada on Tuesday, June 29th riding MY SISTERS PLACE to win the first race on the card for owner/trainer Howard Keen.
Daryl Wells seated on right. Photo Courtesy of Nick Costa
If you hear a new voice calling your favorite horse at Fort Erie on race days, it belongs to new track announcer Peter Kyte. Longtime Fort Erie race caller Daryl Wells, who also served as Fort Erie's director of communications and off-track operations, announced his retirement effective June 30th. No immediate plans as to what endeavor the 50 year old Wells will be pursuing. Wells began his career at Fort Erie back in 1976.
A quick look at the Fort Erie trainer standings show Nick Gonzalez comfortably in front with 26 wins. That's more than double the amount of John Simms who has 11. Next in line is Lyle Modern with 9, followed by Marylyn McMullen with 8.
Over on the jockey side of the ledger. it's Krista Carignan leading all riders with 32 wins. Chris Griffith is next with 22, then comes Anthony Stephens who has 20 wins. Jockeys Rui Pimentel and Real Simard follow with 17 apiece.
One final note: Keep a close watch for horses coming out of Fort Erie's 5th race on July 6th. The race has developed into a key race. Four horse, ANEENA--WANDO ATTRACTION--BLUE FANTASY and MYAH'S ROSE
have all exited that race to win subsequent starts.
Personal Track Bias Observations:
June 27th--No Bias
June 28th--No Bias
June 29th--Track was kind to speed for races 1-3. Then played fair for the remainder of the card.
July 4th--Track played very favorable to horses on or near the early lead. All winners were no further than 2 lengths back.
July 5th--No Bias
July 6th--Main track played very kindly to speed. All dirt race winners were close-up, either first or second at the pace call. The turf course played to speed as both races were won wire to wire.
Photo Courtesy of: DRF.com
ELSEWHERE IN RACING: Do you remember who won last year's Kentucky Derby? Let me refresh your memory if you have forgotten. It was MINE THAT BIRD at 50-1 odds. He went on to finish second in the Preakness and third in both the Belmont Stakes and West Virginia Derby. He then closed out his 3 yr old season with a sixth place finish in the Goodwood Stakes and ninth place run in the Breeders Cup Classic, both at Santa Anita. MINE THAT BIRD was returned to his owner's New Mexico farm for time off and then began galloping in March and was shipped back to Churchill Downs while receiving a switch in trainers, going from Chip Woolley to D. Wayne Lukas. The now 4 year old gelding drilled three consecutive bullet workouts getting ready for his seasonal debut. Lukas entered the horse in an allowance
race for Saturday, July 3rd, however, the race didn't fill. With options limited and needing a prep race, Lukas then entered MINE THAT BIRD in the 1 mile grass Grade 2 Firecracker Handicap, the closing day feature at Churchill Downs. It wasn't easy as Mine That Bird faced a big field of accomplished turf runners, some of them experienced over the Churchill turf course. Nonetheless, MINE THAT BIRD was sent off as the betting favorite, but finished a disappointing eighth. Lukas indicated after the race that the horse may make it's next start at Saratoga in the Whitney Stakes, August 7th.
Watch the Firecracker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxxrmxekX3s
Photo Courtesy of: The Racing Post.com
Across the pond at the Curragh Racetrack in Ireland, CAPE BLANCO, ridden by Johnny Murtagh led a trio of Ballydolye runners to a 1-2-3 finish. An historic training accomplishment was set by Aidan O'Brien as the trainer became the first conditioner to win FIVE renewals of the Irish Derby. CAPE BLANCO settled in fourth off the fast pace, then the 3 yr chestnut colt took it to stable mate Midas Touch at the top of the stretch, gained the lead just before the furlong marker and prevailed by a 1/2 length. Jan Vermeer completed the sweep landing the show spot. Watch the Irish Derby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhUb05mCnNQ
