Sunbird Stars in Reyes Treble
Plagued by bad luck this season, the highly-talented Sunbird finally found some racing room to land Sunday's feature event while providing his rider with the middle leg of a superb three-timer
HIGHLIGHTS
Jockey Antonio Reyes won three races on the day
Steve Henson had two training victories
The handle was $476,723.
Three of the day’s six winners were bred in B.C.
An overcast day with occasional rain left loyal racegoers coming to terms with the end of summer and the onset of autumn. Despite the light rain, the track remained fast and fair all afternoon
Race 1.
The first on Sunday was won by J G Williamson Racing’s MISS UNION ($10.60) who was given a rail skimming by Kimal Santo. They were a back-marker early, but flew up the inside to get in contention on the final bend before inching by for the victory for trainer Steve Henson. Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s HOAX set a comfy pace (22.68, 45.77) under Antonio Reyes but just got reeled-in late, finishing a good second for trainer Steve Henson. Canmor Farm's ABOVE AVERAGE made a sharp move up the rail under Kerron Khelawan and was closing fastest at the end but had to settle for third for conditioner Mark Cloutier.
Race 2.
The second of the day saw Willow Lake Farms and Stables’ ROLLIE'S SPIRIT ($20.00) battle on a sensible pace (23.95, 48.01, 1:12.76) under Brian Boodramsingh, then proceeded to draw clear late to win easily for trainer John Snow in a very good 1:45.18. Rob and Sheena Maybin's LOGICAL AL was in a perfect striking position under Chris Mamdeen, tucked right in behind the speed, then tried for a hole approaching the far turn and had to check slightly before re-rallying to finish a clear second for trainer Rob Maybin. John Snow's CRYPTO MUNNY was held far back off of the early fractions under Bebeto Harvey but flashed good late speed to get into the third spot for John Snow.
Race 3.
The third race went to Jordan Froelich, Georges and Eleutherios Georgeopoulos’ DUKE GIRLS ($3.50), who settled just off the pace under Silvino Morales, then shook loose late to just get by for the victory in 1:18.67 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Don Danard and Mel Snow's THINKIN BACK broke far better and showed speed with Bebeto Harvey (22.41, 46.14) and took the lead to the stretch, but just got caught in a terrific performance for trainer Mel Snow. Dreamtime Stable’s ATTAIN rallied strongly up the inside under Kimal Santo to be third for Greg Beneen.
Race 4.
The fourth race was won by Bryan and Carol Anderson, Darlene Smith, Denise Praill and Nigel Reid’s STRAIT OF GEORGIA ($8.90), who showed great tenacity with Antonio Reyes guiding him through solid splits (24.21, 47.64, 1:13.44), then showed good courage to fend the closers off to win the 11-furlong endurance test in 2:18.54 for trainer Barbara Heads. Michelle Roberts-Henson’s ARTISTIC JEWLER saved every inch of ground under Silvino Morales and claimed the second prize for Rob Henson. Lance Giesbrecht and Gord Christoff’s ERLICH was far back off of the quick fractions under Amadeo Perez and managed to get up to be third for Rob Anderson.
Race 5.
The fifth race went to the Felicella's classy SUNBIRD ($5.40), who was given a tall test by Antonio Reyes, easing him to the back of the field before unleashing a powerhouse move through the final quarter-mile to win in exciting fashion for trainer Terry Jordan in 1:42.70. Robin Sadler, John and Kim Morrison’s BOLD ARCH ran too good to lose, as he was coddled through measured fractions (24.21, 47.81, 1:11.11) under Kerron Khelawan and seemed to be home, but got nailed late and had to settle for a good runner-up effort for John Morrison. Don Tetaranko's JUST JIMMY tracked the speed with Kimal Santo aboard and they stayed game throughout, checking in third for Craig MacPherson.
Race 6.
The final race of the day was won by Willow Creek Farm's SELF SERVING ($8.60) who, sharply away from the gate, made his way to the lead early under Antonio Reyes (24.90, 49.43, 1:13.74) and stayed gamely to the wire, winning by a nose for trainer Steve Henson in 1:45.28. Georges and Terry Georgeopoulos’ FORT LANGLEY was hung wide throughout much of the trip and did well to be a fast-closing second under Silvino Morales for trainer Dino Condilenios. Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa’s FRANKIE MACHINE saved all the ground under apprentice Taylor Jeszenszky, giving him every chance, but he had to settle for third today for Steve Henson.
California Fall Yearlings
Big Brown, Sharp Azteca Yearlings Top Alberta Sale
The CTHS auction in Red Deer saw slight drops in average yearling price and median while gross sales increased.
By: Jennifer Morrison | September 23, 2024
An Alberta-bred gelding by US sire Sharp Azteca and a Kentucky-bred gelding by 2008 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Big Brown topped the 2024 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred Sale on September 20 at $33,000 each. The two yearling geldings were among some 70 horses (mostly yearlings) catalogued for the sale at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
Esquirol Farms sold the dark bay youngster by Cigar Mile (G1) winner Sharp Azteca from the Lure mare E. Looe, who is the dam of three stakes-placed horses. Tallie Racing was the buyer.
Cal Britton, agent sold the chestnut son of Big Brown out of Canadian stakes winner Curlish Figure, by Curlin, to Everblack Cattle Co.
Read more here…
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