Hello everyone. This is an exciting weekend in horseracing, both nationally and locally. We are just a few days away from the 136th Kentucky Derby. While I still await the post position draw at this writing and due to deadline committments for this publication, so that in can be delivered to you in a timely manner, I apologize that I am unable to submit my horse by horse comments and analysis for the big race. However, that posting will be available on my blogpage www.triplecrownchase.blogspot.com on Friday, April 30th.
On the home front, Saturday, May 1st will begin the 113th year of live thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie racetrack. The track, opening on Kentucky Derby day will have a local post time of 1:30 p.m. for the first race.
There will also be racing the following day, Sunday May 2nd. Fort Erie will then commence a race schedule of Sunday through Tuesday starting Sunday, May 9th. The $500,000 Prince Of Wales Stakes, the 2nd jewel in Canada's Triple Crown, will be run Sunday,July 25th. Also on the racecard that day will be the Ernie Samuel Memorial and the Darryl Wells Sr. Memorial. The track will hold a series of Cup races, 9 total, each with a purse value of $30,000 during the summer and fall.
Included in that series is the 2 Mile 70 yards Cheldon Tour De Fort, scheduled for closing day, October 26th. In other news from Fort Erie, jockey Francine Villeneuve is returning to ride. She will be in pursuit of a milestone 1,000 wins. She currently has 934 riding victories. All the best to Francine in remaining healthy so that she can reach that plateau. Finally, I was able to recently sit down with busy Fort Erie trainer Wendy Wolff for an interview during her rare free time. Here is what she had to say as she prepares for the upcoming race season.
Nick Costa--How long have you been training?
Wendy Wolff--I was first licensed in 1986. I took a few years off the track to raise my young daughter, but continued to breed quarter horses and thoroughbreds
Have been training full time since 1999.
NC--Besides Fort Erie, where else have you trained?
WW--Turf Paradise, in Phoenix Arizona.
NC--What is the size of your current stable?
WW--Currently have 7 horses in my stable, downsized from about 15 last year.
NC--So that are readers can follow along, how about the names of your horses?
WW--Let's Get Trashy, Ashbury Ice, Man Of Steel, Ashes Halo, Gotathingforbling, Rising Flame, Mystic Morgan.
NC--Best horse you ever trained?
WW--I would have to say Ocali Flash....he was the most consistent at the higher levels.
NC--What is your biggest strength that you feel sets you apart from other trainers?
WW--My personal attention to each and every horse probably sets me apart. When I have horse in my charge, I make it my personal mission to know and attend
to every hair, every move and every need of that particular horse.
NC--What is you most satisfying accomplishment up to now as a trainer?
WW--My most satisfting accomplishment would have to be the horses that I have taken on that everyone else had given up on and turned them around to be successful, happy race horses.
NC--Female trainers are reaching new heights. Do you think you have been a trailblazer for others, at least on the local circuit.
WW--I don't feel that I, as a woman trainer have been a trailblazer. There are many accomplished and respected women trainers here and every track I've raced at.
NC--Why is horseracing such a male dominated sport? Women appear to be a more natural fit as a trainer.
WW--I absolutely believe that women are a natural fit as trainers. It is however long been an "old boys" club, dating back to the roots of racing.
It is a highly, physically demanding career with long hours and risk of injury. That would prevent alot of women from making that commitment,
particularly if they have young children.
NC--Any advice for young women who aspire to become a trainer?
WW--Any woman who aspires to be a trainer should absolutely pursue that career.
If they have that aspiration, they are already involved in the industry and are aware
of the time commitment and injury risks. If they can accept the lifestyle and have a genuine love of the horse, then the sky is the limit.
NC--What are your expectations for 2010?
WW--My expectations are for each of the horses in my stable to win lots of races and earn next winters keep.
NC--What is the one most important item you believe would allow better relations between the racetracks and horsemen?
WW--The single most important thing needed to improve racetrack and horsemen relations is for the director of racing and/or the racing secretary to be accessible and visible to the backstretch
people. They need to be in the stables talking and listening to the horsemen in order to properly address the issues at hand.
Most horseman aren't comfortable making an appointment to see them in their office....but will be very vocal about their concerns on the backstretch during morning visits.
