patrick husbands
#HORSERACING: LEXIE LOU SET TO MAKE 2015 COMEBACK AT WOODBINE RACETRACK
“With all due respect sir, no.”, I said to the part-Owner of a horse up for Canadian Horse of the Year this April, just one day before the 2015 racing season began at Woodbine Racetrack. It was the Sovereign Awards, honouring the year’s best across Canada and it was this gentleman’s first time ever at the prestigious affair. He wanted an honest answer from me if his horse would win the coveted title and that I gave him. Although his horse in all fairness was and is very talented, there would be no defeating the opposition. Not on the track, not at the ballot box.
We’re into the halfway-mark of the racing season and the burning question on the minds of many racing fans is, “Where is Lexie Lou?”. The four-year-old filly had a remarkable campaign in 2014 winning unanimously Horse of the Year voting that night. The $1-million Queen’s Plate? Check. The Woodbine Oaks? Check. These are two of the country’s most important races and she won both with ease en route to padding her bankroll with $1.5 million.
In Horse Racing, we all love a good Cinderella story and a Cinderella story Lexie Lou is, purchased in 2011 as a yearling for just $5,000 by local veteran Owner/Trainer John Ross, who campaigned her to much success through April 2014. Although pedigree and training programs are telling indicators in the success of a Racehorse, just as important in the sport is the unknown, luck. It is a sport of mobility – literally and figuratively. Success can come as quickly for some as it goes and that extends to everyone from the Bettors to the Owners. Just ask Perry Martin and Steven Coburn, whom for a pittance of $8,000 purchased an unsuspecting filly in 2009, birthing eventual Superstar California Chrome, who has banked $6.3 million in earnings. Let’s not forget the 30% ownership sold to Taylor Made Farm in advance of plans eventually to retire him as a stallion, where millions more are expected to be made through breeding.
Lexie Lou‘s success under John Ross went noticed. She was game for a fight every time and always was in the thick of things. Hollywood heavyweight Producer Gary Barber (G.I. Joe, Invictus, Wanted, Bruce Almighty) purchased her privately for what then seemed like a sizable sum. She would be handled by the Team of seven-time Sovereign Award winning Trainer, Mark Casse who thanked Ross at the Sovereign Awards for all the work he and his Team put into shaping Lexie Lou‘s career. Despite his domination of Canadian Racing, the Queen’s Plate remained illusive and Lexie Lou gave him that overdue accomplishment, moving him to tears in a post-race interview seen around the world. The filly’s success story has been a remarkable one and she’s proven no matter the competition, she is a force to be reckoned with – north and south of the border. In November 2014’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar Racetrack in California, the brazen Canadian filly tackled Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, bet heavily and just shy of defeating him in second.
Let’s step back for a second and look at the big picture here. An Ontario-bred filly bought originally for just $5,000 facing the eventual North American Horse of the Year, and almost winning the race. This is a greater feat than it might suggest in print. Hardly lauded enough, Lexie Lou should be a Poster Girl for the sport at large. She should be celebrated as an inspiration for fans young and old, male or female – regardless of upbringing – that we all can be a better version of ourselves with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work. I mean, who doesn’t identify with that? This is the core essence of being a North American, am I right?
A quick visit to Woodbine‘s Stables Area to see the Superfilly who was in vacation mode in Ocala, Florida until only recently, had me both excited and hesitant. Mark Casse himself has stated that she isn’t particularly a gentle filly, but notes that many great fillies carry that trait. Horse Racing in addition to being a money-making leisure to fans, is a high-stakes business for those on the backstretch, a juxtaposition of toughness to the surreal beauty of witnessing these animals race under the vibrant rainbow of silks their jockeys sport.
For her four-year-old campaign, Lexie Lou has been paired with a new groom (caretaker) Chivon, who praises her star filly as being anything but aggressive despite her having developed a bit of a reputation in the past. A second set of eyes (mine) would confirm this. Upon walking over to her stall, Lexie Lou was very preoccupied with checking-in on her neighbour through a barred window, a two-year-old filly named Conquest Soprano. I learned that Lexie Lou has always been a big sister in the Casse barn, which is overseen by Assistants Kathryn Sullivan and David Adams here in Toronto. Last year, she was best friends with a younger filly named Conquest So True and was protective of her too.
Although not all horses love Scotch Mints, she was enthused and helped herself to a few out of my palm, later coming back for seconds… and thirds, before going back to check on her friend next-door. And somewhere amidst the sugar rush, she planted an equine kiss on my cheek. It is hard to believe such a monster on the track was such a beauty in-person. I despise the term “almond eyes” because it is such a blanket term, but if it could be applied to anyone, it would be Lexie Lou as her enchanting, deep-set eyes are soulful and pensive. Her face feminine and graceful, with a bold white marking similar to that of her sire (father), Sligo Bay. A stunning animal.
Lexie Lou will make her return to the track soon. Although originally scheduled to make her return on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Woodbine, an eye condition is keeping her out of the race. More to come on when the Queen shall return and we will be sure to let you know so you can witness greatness!
Don’t forget to snap a Selfie at Woodbine with the Hashtag #OffToTheRaces and Tweet at @WoodbineRacing to qualify for a prize of $1,000!
Some Photos of Lexie Lou over the years:
Lexie Lou, Winter 2013
Trainer Mark Casse plants a kiss on Lexie Lou, Queen’s Plate 2014
Media frenzy after Lexie Lou wins the 2014 Queen’s Plate
Lexie Lou and her rider Patrick Husbands, Queen’s Plate 2014
Lexie Lou wins the 2014 Wonder Where Stakes, her first race on the turf
Lexie Lou in-training, July 2015
Lexie Lou mugs for the camera with her Exercise Rider Jason, July 2015
Lexie Lou and Patrick Husbands as Lego in a 2015 Queen’s Plate Promo
Lexie Lou back at home, August 2015
Mr. Will + Lexie Lou:
To learn more about Woodbine Racetrack, including how to get there, click here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
#HORSERACING: DANISH DYNAFORMER WINS THE BREEDERS’ STAKES IN EYE-POPPING FASHION
Although there wasn’t a Triple Crown winner north of the Border this year, we still had plenty to cheer for at Woodbine Racetrack yesterday. The $500k Breeders’ Stakes, the final leg of the Crown was contested over 1 1/2 miles on the Toronto oval’s internationally- renowned turf course and few could argue that the winner was deserving.
DANISH DYNAFORMER has been a warrior throughout his three-year-old campaign this year and once he got to the lead at the top of the stretch, there was no turning back as he blasted home almost eight horse lengths ahead of the field. Reigning champion jockey Patrick Husbands who quickly has turned his season around these past few weeks, steered the colt trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, to the eye-popping victory. Fans were rewarded with a return of $4.80 on a $2 investment as the race favourite, and the final time for the race was 2:29.2, about four seconds off the course record. Conquest Boogaloo who also has been a trooper through the Triple Crown trail, rallied late to finish second and a rapidly-improving Lucky Lindy finished a game third.
Despite blistering heat, fans still came out to show their support, crowding the grandstand. Post-victory, Team Attfield were armed with ice buckets and the hose water cooled to a perfect temperature to cool down their star, DANISH DYNAFORMER. The Ontario-bred colt earlier this season won the Plate Trial, stamping him the favourite for the country’s most prestigious race, Queen’s Plate in which he finished second narrowly. A trip to Fort Erie in late July for the Prince of Wales Stakes was a rare blemish on his record and his performance in the Breeders’ Stakes would be an accurate indication of his great ability. Keep a tab on this one – if not next season – he will be one look out for in the Pattison International, another marquee race at Woodbine, held traditionally mid-October.
Earlier on the card we saw longshot INTERPOL upset the $200k Sky Classic Stakes, defeating a talented field including division leader ARE YOU KIDDING ME (also trained by Roger Attfield), GOLDEN SABRE, ALDOUS SNOW and last year’s Belmont Derby winner, MR. SPEAKER. Emma-Jayne Wilson piloted the win, a second stake win this weekend for the jockey who just led the Ladies’ Team to a valiant, first-of-its-kind win at Ascot in England a week prior in the Shergar Cup. Just Saturday, Wilson piloted New Zealand-bred HABIBI to win the Flaming Page Stakes, also on the lush turf course.
Some Snaps of DANISH DYNAFORMER:
Lunch at @woodbineracing with one of my fave Willionaire$ @cupcakedawnie #BreedersStakes day! She made me yummy Cupcakes!! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
We’re majorly excited for two-time North American Horse of the Year WISE DAN‘s return to Woodbine next month in the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday, September 13, 2015. We hope to see you there!
For more, including how to plan your visit, click here.
This Post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Racetrack)
#HORSERACING: 2014 SOVEREIGN AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
The 2014 Sovereign Award Nominees have been announced and we’re thrilled to see many of our Friends get recognition at the Awards, honouring the finest in Canadian Thoroughbred Racing on Friday, April 10, 2015.
Make no mistake – Horse of the Year honours truly is a one-horse Race with Canada’s star Filly and Queen’s Plate Champion LEXIE LOU a horseshoe-in for the win, although Finalists in that coveted category only will be revealed the night of the Awards.
Expected to win Two-Year-Old Male by a margin is Conquest Tsunami, who had a marvelous campaign for his Illinois-based Owners Conquest Stables LLC, before finding some success in the U.S.. Champion Three-Year-Old Male is a competitive division in a year where the spotlight was shared by several Boys including Breeders’ Stakes Winner Ami’s Holiday and Prince of Wales Stakes Winner, Coltimus Prime. Mark Casse is expected to be a definitive choice in the Trainer category, winning 93 races and $7.7 million in purse earnings at Woodbine. Patrick Husbands, a regular rider for Team Casse also is a clear-cut choice in the Jockey category with 170 wins in 2014 at the Toronto Oval.
Here are the Nominees in all categories:
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Brooklynsway
Conquest Harlanate
London Tower
Mississippi Delta
Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Conquest Tsunami
Conquest Typhoon
Decision Day
Phil’s Cocktail
Champion Three-Year-Old Female
Executive Allure
Lexie Lou
Paladin Bay
Sweater Weather
Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Ami’s Holiday
Coltimus Prime
Florida Won
Heart to Heart
Champion Older Female
Hillaby
Silent Star
Spring in the Air
Strut the Course
Champion Older Male
Calgary Cat
Lukes Alley
Sharp Sensation
Sky Captain
Champion Female Turf Horse
Deceptive Vision
Executive Allure
Lexie Lou
Royal Fury
Champion Male Turf Horse
Dynamic Sky
Excaper
Heart to Heart
Sharp Sensation
Champion Female Sprinter
Cactus Kris
Executive Allure
Hillaby
Spring in the Air
Champion Male Sprinter
Calgary Cat
Excaper
Phil’s Dream
Sharp Sensation
Outstanding Broodmare
Cruising Kris
Eye of the Sphynx
Star Guest
Uproar
Outstanding Breeder
Adena Springs
Paradox Farm Inc.
Sam-Son Farm
William Sorokolit
Outstanding Owner
Gary Barber
Conquest Stables, LLC
John C. Oxley
Sam-Son Farm
Outstanding Trainer
Josie Carroll
Mark Casse
Brian Lynch
Greg Tracy
Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Damario Bynoe
Sheena Ryan
Ericka Smilovsky
Nick Webb
Outstanding Jockey
Luis Contreras
Eurico Da Silva
Patrick Husbands
Rico Walcott
Nominees in Media Categories also will be announced late February and we wish all our Friends the best of luck!
Maybe one day we’ll be good enough to get a nod!
The 2015 Thoroughbred Season at Woodbine Racetrack begins Saturday, April 11, 2015 and we can’t wait for this winter to be over so that we can reunite with our Fave!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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