Perez Doubles Down on Title Lead
A five-win weekend increased Perez' lead over his rivals as, with just eight racing days remaining, he zeros in on another Hastings' riding title
HIGHLIGHTS
Rider Amadeo Perez had two victories
Six of the day’s seven winners were bred in British Columbia
The handle was $446,500
A few sunny and warm periods, but there was also an autumnal feel to the afternoon at Hastings, with a cool breeze and plenty of cloud around. The track remained fast and fair all afternoon, with winners coming from off the pace as well as well as being on the speed.
Race 1.
The first of the day went to Ed Claggett's LUCKY FORCE ($2.80) who was comfortably positioned by Amadeo Perez just off of a slow early tempo, then shifted to the three path to attack the pacesetters and just got up late to win in 1:17.78 for trainer Craig MacPherson. Morris Peter, Dennis Dale and Ed Welsh's ROCKCLIFFE battled head and head with INDYETTA on the slow pace, with Antonio Reyes in the irons, and remained strong in the lane and just missed in a big effort for trainer Keith Pedersen. The Estate of Dennis Tucker and Brian Albertson’s INDYETTA had the lead and the rail through splits of 23.58 and 46.94 under Kimal Santo but couldn’t quite match strides late with the top two and finished a good third.
Race 2.
The second of the afternoon was won by Freedom Farms, More Rewards Syndicate and Peter Tom's ADDENDUM ($3.30), who relaxed perfectly in a cushy spot just behind the pace setter then, when asked on the final bend, she responded and briefly looked beaten but re-rallied to get the victory under Kerron Khelawan for trainer Tara Neigel. The final time is likely around 1:19 and change as the teletimer was tripped by HOAX, who lost rider Antonio Reyes and ran far ahead of the field, tripping the beams. Rob and Sheena Maybin's EBONY EYES was last early, made a menacing move on the stretch turn and stuck her nose in front, but was outrun to the wire and finished a good second. Trinity West Stables I'M ALL SHOOK UP showed good speed and led the field until the stretch and ended up third.
Race 3.
The third race on the card went to the WYN Racing Stable’s SOMTHING ELUSIVE ($7.70), who was held back far off of the blazing fractions before Kimal Santo guided him through on the inside on the stretch turn. The duo cruised to an impressive score in 1:18.00. The Hawaiian Shirt Guys’ EARS TO US was on a mission again today as he screamed through splits of 21.96 and 45.07, drifted out late and got caught in deep stretch. Canyon Farm's ROAD CLOSURE was off a step slow as usual but, despite rallying three wide, couldn’t get near the top two and ended up third.
Race 4.
The fourth of the day saw Ironside Stables’ PRETTY ARIA ($8.30) settle behind the speed in a perfect striking spot under Brian Boodramsingh. She then scooted up the inside to get in contention and split horses in the lane to claim the win in 1:17.26 for trainer Rob VanOverschot. Russ and Lois Bennett's VIVA LA VINO was held far back off the pace and made a good charge late to be second. Blue Willow Dairy’s DAPHNE was making her first start of the 2023 season and turned in a huge effort, battling on the pace (22.58, 45.31) and just got caught late, ending up third.
Race 5.
The fifth on the card went to Joe and Gloria Russo's STAR FINALITY ($42.20), who was expertly ridden by Learie Seecharan as he relaxed her beautifully off of a sensible pace before pouncing on the leader midway on the stretch turn to draw off to a big win in 1:18.10 for trainer Patty Leaney. G.O. Stable's PENALTY TO RANGERS was away best and quickly assumed command and set fractions of 22.74 and 46.08 and had every chance but checked in the runner-up spot. WYN Racing Stable’s DRILL BABY DRILL hit the board for the 16th time in her 22nd start, checking in third under Kimal Santo.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day went to the heavily favoured BELLAROO ($4.10) who, despite losing ground after an awkward start, swept by the leaders late under Amadeo Perez to win for trainer Dino Condilenios in 1:17.91. Inheriting second after a disqualification was Deyotte Racing’s RICHARDS COMMAND, who spent much of the trip in the three path turning in a brilliant run under Fraser Aebly for conditioner Ryan Deyotte. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ QUALITY COMMAND was promoted to third after being impeded in the final sixteenth by LASTING LIGHT, who was originally second.
Race 7.
The seventh of the afternoon went to Willow Creek Farm's C C SUNRISE ($3.25) who surprisingly got the lead under Antonio Reyes and subsequently took full advantage, setting easy splits 22.94, 47.77. The pair wasn’t threatened, winning in 1:19.80 for trainer Steve Henson. Ironside Stables SHE'S ON FIRE was last early and made a big move on the stretch turn to get up to be second. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's PETERSON LANDING also made a nice move late on the inside to get into the third spot.
Canadian Hall of Fame rider Gary Boulanger announces his retirement
TORONTO, September 17, 2023 – Jockey Gary Boulanger, whose numerous career highlights include a Queen’s Plate victory, has decided to call it a career.
“It’s the right time,” Boulanger, 55, told Woodbine Communications. “I don’t feel I have anything left to prove. I am so grateful to all the trainers, owners and my fellow riders for their support. Just like anyone who rides horses, there are many ups and downs, but you always find a way to persevere.”
Boulanger, who won three straight titles in Washington State, would understand that perhaps more than most.
A 2020 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, the native of Alberta enjoyed great success over a career that included devastating injuries. He overcame back problems, which required extensive surgery in the late 1990s, and came back from an eight-year absence precipitated by a spill at Gulfstream, which led to life-threatening injuries, in 2005.
The aftermath of the spill on January 30, 2005, resulted in fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, torn elbow tendons, a blood clot, and brain damage that required doctors to remove part of his skull to ease the swelling.
On two occasions, he flatlined on the operating table.
No one believed he’d ever ride again, including Boulanger.
But after breezing horses for champion trainer Mark Casse, he rode his first race in eight years at Tampa Bay Downs in 2013. His first victory after the accident came on a Casse horse.
With a return to the saddle came a new perspective on the sport.
“I felt more in-tune with the horses, having more of a connection with them than I ever had. And it was a great feeling.”
As was the feeling Boulanger got when he would bring a horse back to the winner’s circle.
“I love seeing the team win. I like getting to know the horses, the grooms, everyone at the barn,” said Boulanger, who won the 1996 Fountain of Youth (G2) with 143-1 Built For Pleasure. “These people in our industry work hard – the trainers, the grooms, the exercise riders, the farriers, everyone. I have a smile on my face when I visit with them. There are a lot of people that have jobs they don’t want to be at. I always couldn’t wait to get to the track. Who will I see? What horses can I see? What will today bring? It’s something I always looked forward to.”
His two biggest highlights came at Woodbine.
Moving his tack to the Toronto oval in June 2000, Boulanger partnered Dancethruthedawn, the outstanding Sam-Son Farm homebred filly, to victory in the 2001 Queen’s Plate and Woodbine Oaks.
In 2017, Boulanger received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.
The award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport, and is named in memory of one of the sport’s most heralded and loved performers.
“It’s one of the greatest moments in my career,” said Boulanger, who forged a strong friendship and prosperous partnership with fellow Albertan, trainer Stuart Simon. “To be recognized by your peers and to be part of a very select group is something I will always treasure.”
As he will the numerous stakes winners, 90 in all, that he piloted to victory.
Boulanger, whose son Brandon also rides, retires with 3,685 career victories and $83,543,336 in purse earnings.
The man with a reputation for beating the odds on and off the racetrack will now take time to ponder the next chapter in his life.
A career in racing is certainly a strong consideration.
“I’m not quite sure what is next, but I love the horses, the horse people and the sport,” said Boulanger, who also has a three-year-old son Cristian with wife Jennifer Petricca. “I would like to stay connected to racing, so we’ll see what happens. For now, I want to spend time with my family and reflect on how lucky I was to be a jockey. To everyone who supported me… I can’t thank you enough.”
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Monday, September 18
New Stride News
Racing resumes next Saturday, September 23rd with a seven program that will start at 2:00 p.m.
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