Friday Night Wyns!
Popular Hastings' owners WYN racing struck twice on Friday, while it was also a case of 'doubles all round' for fellow owner James Redekop and riders, Antonio Reyes and Kimal Santo
HIGHLIGHTS
Owner WYN Racing Stables had two victories
Owner James Redekop had two wins
Antonio Reyes and Kimal Santo had riding doubles
The handle was $484,026
Another good-sized Friday night crowd enjoyed the end of a spectacular August day in Vancouver, although a late cooling of the air gave notice that summer’s end is not too far away. The track was fast and fair all evening with five of the seven winners drawn #4 or higher.
Race 1.
The first on Friday night saw Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's FRASER LANDING ($9.90) lead the field throughout under Antonio Reyes, setting contested splits of 22.27 and 45.95 before shaking loose late for the victory in 1:17.77 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Swift Thoroughbreds’ HORATIO was somehow stuck in behind the speed on the rail on the final turn under Silvino Morales and was checked repeatedly, losing valuable momentum. The traffic probably cost him the win and he had to settle for second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Dreamtime Stable’s BECKETT'S BEST had a nice ground-saving trip and rallied into the third spot with Kimal Santo aboard for trainer Greg Beneen.
Race 2.
The second of the evening went to WYN Racing Stables’ MONEYSHOT ($7.30), who comfortably secured the lead on the inside, galloped through easy fractions of 22.62 and 46.37 under Kimal Santo and was never seriously threatened, winning in 1:16.95 for conditioner Ian Jewell. Rob and Sheena Maybin's WESTMINSTER was very good again but fell victim to positioning as his chief rival got a better trip than rider Chris Mamdeen could give him and they finished second, well clear of the rest for trainer Rob Maybin. Joe and Gloria Russo's BLUEGRASS LENT was fast enough early to take away the position that WESTMINSTER was hoping to get while sitting second early, but he could not stay with the top two and just held third for trainer Patty Leaney.
Race 3.
The third race was won by TC Racing's STANFORD BAY ($10.90), who was able to clear from his outside post under Kimal Santo to get the front, setting sensible splits of 22.31 and 45.83 and, with plenty in reserve, they held all challengers at bay to finish in a sharp 1:16.93 for trainer Rob Gilker. Nicole Droder's FLORIDA GATOR was content to trail early off the three-month layoff, then produced a solid late kick with Kerron Khelawan at the controls to get into the second spot for trainer Craig MacPherson. Hastings Racing Club and Mainline Stable's FINDING WAYS was away well but conceded the lead with Silvino Morales aboard as they settled into the second spot on the outside and stayed on to be third for trainer Nancy Betts.
Race 4.
The fourth race saw G.O. Stables and Alexa Ramirez's PENALTY TO RANGERS ($7.50) break like a shot and easily get to the front under Brian Boodramsingh (23.04, 46.37), building up an insurmountable lead and cruising home to win in 1:18.24 for trainer Erick Gutierrez. Peter Redekop's MERRY BLUE was well-held in second early and started to make up some ground with Amadeo Perez up, but fell short and stayed in the runner-up spot for trainer Barbara Heads. Demetris Topouzis’ B C CHRISTIE was rationed by Chris Mamdeen in third behind the runaway leader and held that spot to the wire.
Claims:
MERRY BLUE was claimed by owner/trainer Kevin Scott
Race 5.
The fifth race went to Georges and Terry Georgeopoulos’ FORT LANGLEY ($8.40), who was confidently ridden by Scott Williams, the pair biding their time in third a little off the rail behind a sensible pace (24.26, 48.23 and 1:12.64), before striking the front at the top of the stretch and sprinting home to a sharp win in 1:45.14 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Jordan Froelich and Ryan Deyotte's GOOD BYE PUTIN was far back early under Learie Seecharan, but they put in a bold move on the final bend and were flying late to be a good runner-up for trainer Nicole Rycroft. Jordan Froelich and Dino Condilenios’ BETTER TONE was also far back in the early going and Silvino Morales got him rolling in between runners to finish third for Dino Condilenios.
Claims:
MY COLLEGE FUND was claimed by owners Willow Creek Farms for trainer Steve Henson
Race 6.
The sixth of the night was won by James Redekop and Stefan Ferrario's BROKE AN BROKEN ($4.80), who was given a perfect ride by Antonio Reyes, sitting close to a very slow tempo before closing fastest to win by a nose for trainer Terry Jordan in 1:45.88. Fred and Sheldon Kwan's PARKER POINT was equally as impressive, setting easy splits (25.44, 50.90 and 1:15.14) under Kimal Santo, but was barely out-sprinted to the finish line, ending up a clear second for trainer Harold Barroby. Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s FRANKIE MACHINE saved ground throughout most of the trip under Scott Williams and closed nicely to be third for trainer Steve Henson.
Race 7.
The seventh race went to WYN Racing Stables’ ICE BREAKER ($8.50) who was successful on her return to sprinting, tracking the speed then putting in a decisive three-wide run on the stretch turn under Amadeo Perez to get the victory in 1:18.31 for trainer Larry Grieve. BFA Holdings’ CARLA'S HONOR was keen early and in a perfect spot with Kimal Santo aboard, close to a comfy pace (22.46, 46.01), then hit the front on the final bend only to be caught by the winner. However, she stayed game to the wire, finishing second for Cindy Krasner. G.O. Stables and Alexa Ramirez's TEXAS HUMOR was farther back than usual under Brian Boodramsingh but was able to rally through the field to claim third spot for trainer Erick Gutierrez.
Claims:
LUCY TREASURE was claimed by owner/trainer Cindy Krasner
Chasing a King’s Plate: Chartrand-Hoek, Leslie and Casper
Courtesy canadianthoroughbred.com
By: Jennifer Morrison | August 17, 2024
Come Saturday afternoon, the frantic hours leading up to the 165th King’s Plate at Woodbine will have quieted down. It will be time for Evette Chartrand-Hoek and her staff to begin preparing Friendly Ghost – Casper as he is known affectionately – for his race with destiny.
Friendly Ghost is owned by Sue Leslie, whose resumé in horse racing includes just about every position one can imagine from owner, trainer to leader of groups such as the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Alliance and the Ontario Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, for which she is still president. Leslie’s determination to see horse racing in Ontario thrive has seen her meet challenges too numerous to mention dealing with government, representing horsepeople, and helping keep Fort Erie racetrack going. She was recognized for all of it when she was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2020.
Around that time, Chartrand-Hoek, who had been Leslie’s assistant for about a decade, took over Leslie’s training duties. Now, together with Friendly Ghost, they have a chance to win the biggest prize of them all in Canadian racing.
“He’s such a cool horse,” said Chartrand-Hoek of Friendly Ghost, who was purchased by Leslie for $46,000 from breeder Deb Holmes at the 2021 CTHS Ontario yearling sale. A scopey dark bay son of Outwork from the Ghostzapper mate Kin’s Ghost, Friendly Ghost earned his way into the 13-horse King’s Plate field with his determined third-place finish in the Plate Trial. That race, at 1 1/8 miles, came just five weeks after he won his 2024 opener, a maiden race at six furlongs.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, August 17
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