The 78th running of the Grade I PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL is set to take place at Woodbine Racetrack on Sunday, October 18, 2015. Have you marked your calendar yet?
The final marquee race in the 2015 Woodbine thoroughbred racing season is set to go with a cast of international megastars set to make their way to Toronto for a shot at the $1-million purse money! This is the very race in which iconic Secretariat capped-off his storied racing career in 1973, so there’s a bit of history for you.
Also scheduled is an amazing card of racing including races filled with talent including the $150k Ontario Fashion Stakes, the $500k Grade I E.P. Taylor Stakes and the $300k Grade II Nearctic Stakes so you’ll probably want to stay for a bit as the card starts just before 1:00 PM.
Nominees for the $1-million Pattison Canadian International include:
Admission and parking are free. We’ll see you there? You bet.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
It was a thrilling day of racing at Woodbine today as the Toronto Racetrack hosted the Rock N’ Racing Festival on Woodbine Mile Day. With one-day-only food trucks and musical acts on-site today including local talent like Rynheart, The Honest Heart Collective, Aukland, Highs and JJ and The Pillars, racing fans new and old got to experience the historic track in a way like never before! Above this, The Edge 102.1 Hosts Melani Mariani and Wade MacNeil.
Sunglasses were given away and first bets also were free!
The one-mile marquee turf race was won by Irish-bred invader MONDIALISTE who closed fast and furious on the soft turf course – preferred by Europeans – in a final time of 1:36.6. As the third choice in the race, he paid $9.70 to a $2 bet and was ridden by British jockey on-the-comeback, Fergal Lynch. Geoff and Sandra Turnbull are the winning owners and David O’Meara trains the five-year-old horse.
Placing second by only half a length in he prestigious race was top older American horse Lea, while California’s Obviously after leading all the way, lost-out only late to place third.
Mondialiste
With race favourite, Obviously… obviously!
With your post time favourite for the #WOMile, OBVIOUSLY!! #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With the accomplished and handsome Lea, who finished second in the Woodbine Mile.
With local hero Grand Arch, who scratched today. But gotta love this snap we got of him yesterday with his groom Belmer.
Also earlier on the card, our girl HABIBI ran an incredible race against the boys in the Northern Dancer Stakes almost to win it all! Congrats to her and her connections, the Team at Mark Frostad’s barn.
Just one more marquee race left in the thoroughbred 2015 racing season at Woodbine, the $1-million Pattison International to be held on Sunday, October 18, 2015. The race has gone down in history as the final race Secretariat won prior to retiring. Be sure to join us then!
Don’t forget, your Selfies can win you $1k! Next time you visit, remember to Tweet a photo of yourself at the track with the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES, to qualify!
Follow Woodbine Racing on Twitter here!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
Sunday marks a huge day in Woodbine Racetrack‘s 2015 Racing Season with the $1-million RICOH WOODBINE MILE to be run over one of the World’s finest turf courses.
Despite making the headlines as two-time American Horse of the Year WISE DAN‘s big return to the races, it was just announced that the champion has been retired due to an injury. Still expect it to be a superb race with a strong local contingent and some outstanding horses invading Canada for a shot at that huge purse money!
Your probable field for the one-mile turf race:
Grand Arch
Kaigun
Lea
Mondialiste (IRE)
Mr. Owen
Obviously
Platinum Glory
Reporting Star
Tower of Texas
Turncoat
Za Approval
OBVIOUSLY has competed against top-class competition in California earning $1.4 million and will be making the Woodbine Mile is seasonal debut. LEA also is mighty-classy, having run against the top-shelf opposition in the U.S. and certainly in the thick of things with $2.03 million in earnings. MONDIALISTE also is shipping-in from England and coming-off two important wins in 2015. French three-year-old colt MR. OWEN is eyeing the Woodbine Mile after an impressive win in France earlier this month.
Don’t discount Toronto boys though! GRAND ARCH is Woodbine-based mostly, before having achieved success in the U.S. and comes off a win in the important Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga in New York. REPORTING STAR wowed many of us recently with a gutsy win in the Play the King Stakes at Woodbine, beating-out local favourites TOWER OF TEXAS and KAIGUN. Meanwhile, ZA APPROVAL (now based at Woodbine after spending much of his career in the U.S.) ran second to WISE DAN back in 2013 in this very race, en route to an identical placing in the important Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile that year too.
There will be lots of excitement on the undercard also with the $300k Northern Dancer Stakes which will see the hero of last month’s Breeders’ Stakes, DANISH DYNAFORMER, take-on older competition in that 1 1/2 mile turf race. This is seen as a test of his class.
Fillies and mares also will be looking for an automatic birth in the Racing’s championship day, the Breeders’ Cup this November, with a win in the $300k Canadian Stakes and it looks to be a tough one with OVERHEARD up against French filly UCHENNA. Talented Irish-bred and American-based WATSDACHANCES, who recently won the important Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park in Illinois, also likely will be shipping in.
Top local sprinter CALGARY CAT looks also to solidify his case as one of the best horses in the country in the Bold Venture Stakes, where he will face English-bred filly ENDLESS LIGHT.
Did you know also Woodbine is hosting a Rock N’ Racing Festival with lots of live music for you to enjoy? Acts like Rynheart, The Honest Heart Collective, Aukland, Highs and JJ and The Pillars will be playing, with The Edge 102.1 Hosts Melani Mariani and Wade MacNeil in attendance too!
Admission and parking are free, you get a pair of sunglasses free and your first bet is on them (head to the third floor to get ’em)! It all starts at 12! For directions, click here.
For more on Woodbine Mile Day, click here.
And don’t forget to take a Selfie from Woodbine Racetrack on Woodbine Mile Day and post on Twitter with the Hashtags #WOMile and #OfftotheRaces, for a shot at a prize of $1k! So easy!
Although we’re swamped with TIFF, we’ll be sure to be at Woodbine this coming Sunday, September 13, 2015!
And one for Wise Dan, who will be missed!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
“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.
First run in 1889, the Breeders’ Stakes will take place this Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The race, known as the third jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown will be run over 1 1/2 miles on Woodbine‘s lush turf course with a 5:13 PM EST post-time and a value of $500k. For those of you following the story, Triple Crown veterans DANISH DYNAFORMER, CONQUEST BOOGALOO and BREAKING LUCKY will be squaring-off once again, the latter looking to capture two out of three legs of the series after an upset win late July at Fort Erie in the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Sunday’s field includes:
Obstacles the field face are that this is the only race in the Triple Crown run on the grass, the third race in six weeks for the Triple Crown veterans and most of all, the challenging 1 1/2 mile distance will be a true test of stamina for all. DANISH DYNAFORMER, SAMUEL DECHAMPLAIN, CONQUEST BOOGALOO and LUCKY LINDY all have proven themselves on the grass either having won a race or finishing within the top three against stakes company on the surface.
If you are attending Sunday, there also is an exciting race earlier on the card, the $200k Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes which features an exciting field including Sam-Son Farm‘s ALDOUS SNOW, who won on Queen’s Plate Day in the Singspiel Stakes. U.S. invader MR. SPEAKER comes from the reputed Phipps Stable, having won a stellar $1.06 million against top-class competition includng the Grade 1 Belmont Derby. ARE YOU KIDDING ME is having a career season, absolutely unbeatable in a pair of Grade 2 races locally including the Eclipse and Nijinsky Stakes.
Things to keep in mind:
Can’t make it out Sunday? You won’t want to miss the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday, September 13, 2015, buzzed highly as two-time North American Horse of the Year WISE DAN’s big return to the races. The racing icon has overcome multiple health issues and is fit and ready to fight against the young ones and all eyes are on him. He in fact has won the race twice already.
If you see me, come say “hi” and remember to Tweet that Selfie of yourself at Woodbine using the Hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES for a shot at $1,000!
Easy.
Now for the fun stuff! I want to invite one Reader for lunch and drinks at Woodbine this Sunday in celebration of the Breeders’ Stakes! You’ll even get a free betting card! All you have to do is “like” this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook by tomorrow, Friday, August 14, 2015. In the comments section, tell me why you would make an awesome lunch date!
See you at the races! The weather should be great!
To learn more, including directions how to get there, CLICK HERE.
Mr. Will and winner of the 2014 Breeders’ Stakes, AMI’S HOLIDAY:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
We had the sheer joy of experiencing the $1.75 million 2015 Haskell Invitational in-person at Monmouth Park. With crowds reaching record attendance (60k+) and fans hoping for a chance to witness a piece of history in star entrant American Pharoah – the first horse to win the American Triple Crown in 37 years – New Jersey Transit pulled-out all precautions needed, adding service to the Racetrack on four more routes.
The vibe was festive as several families planted themselves trackside for an exhilarating afternoon of races. Baseball caps commemorating the race were handed out, food trucks were parked and the afternoon would place the exciting undercard front and center, with jockey Paco Lopez boasting four wins.
Winners today included:
-$100k The Lady’s Secret Stakes won by Got Lucky under Paco Lopez for Hill ‘n’ Dale & P.J. Steiner, trained Todd Pletcher.
-$150k Grade III The Winstar Matchmaker Stakes won by Casual Smile, owned by William S. Farish and trained by Chad Brown, under Abel Castellano Jr.
-$150k Grade III The Oceanport Stakes won by Heart to Heart, owned by Terry Hamilton and trained by Woodbine‘s Brian Lynch with Hothersal, also an Ontario-bred, placing second.
-$100k The Teddy Drone Stakes won by fan favourite Wildcat Red, for Honors Stable and Jose Garoffalo, under Paco Lopez.
-$200k Grade II The Monmouth Cup won by Bradester, owned by Joseph W. Sutton, trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Corey Lanerie.
This year’s renewal of the Haskell Invitational was full of star power. In addition to American Pharoah being the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years as a primary draw, stars were scattered throughout every corner of the facility, which rings with a charm of another era. Rumours spread that Bruce Springsteen, Eli Manning, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter were milling about, although physically we saw Bon Jovi‘s Richie Sambora and a Haskell “Riders Up” call by none other than Bill Murray! Despite the Paddock area being open much of the day to Media, a mass exodus was done prior to the Haskell, with only a select few granted access due to some of the high profile types in attendance.
At 5:45 PM EST, the main event would run, but not without Jersey darling Springsteen‘s Born to Run blaring as the field came onto the Track. Cheers were deafening for American Pharoah, an elegant, lean and unsuspecting bay colt who would capture the heart of a nation. Not to take anything away from his peers, but the man of the hour certainly was jockey Victor Espinosa, riding a late career Renaissance piloting back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners and presumably Horse of the Year honours two years in-a-row (last year with California Chrome). The race would go off without a hitch and American Pharoah would rate just off the pace before making a sweeping move into the final turn, winning effortlessly in a quick 1:47.9 for 1 1/8 miles.
See a Replay:
The post-race festivities were grand. American Pharoah would be paraded out after his victory, causing a bumpy frenzy of photography – some who came as far as Australia to cover the race. What ensued next looked like hundreds of people crammed into the compact Winner’s Enclosure as trainer Bob Baffert spoke to the Media for a minute before appearing at a Press Conference with winning owners, Zayat Stables LLC and rider, Espinoza.
The experience will not be forgotten. Let’s relive the 2015 Haskell Invitational through a series of our Photos!
Monmouth Park Walking Ring
Barn 12: Hotel Suite of American Pharoah
#AmericanPharoah resting up in Barn 12 for #Haskell2015 later today! #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
American Pharoah Merch
Got Lucky
The secret is out! GOT LUCKY (#APIndy) steals the show in the Lady’s Secret for Todd Pletcher, under Paco Lopez! #GetintheGame #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Mike Smith
Abel Castellano and Son
#AbelCastellano sharing a tender moment with his son as “God Bless America” plays. #Haskell2015 #Jockey #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Paco Lopez
Donna Brothers
The lovely #DonnaBrothers for NBC. #Haskell2015 #MonmouthPark #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Victor Espinoza
Wildcat Red
WILDCAT RED wins the Teddy Drone Stakes. #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Casual Smile
Heart to Heart
Ahh, there’s a sight for sore eyes. We miss #HearttoHeart. Here he is heading off to run in the Oceanport Cup; #VictorEspinoza aboard. #Haskell2015 #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Hothersal
Bill Murray
“Riders up!” – #BillMurray was a special celebrity guest today at #Haskell2015. #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
American Pharoah
American Pharoah
Congratulations to #AMERICANPHAROAH, Zayat Stables LLC, Team Baffert and Victor Espinoza on a smashing (effortless too!) win in #Haskell2015! #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
Justin Zayat (Zayat Stables)
Congrats to @JustinZayat of Zayat Stables, which owns #AmericanPharoah. #Haskell2015 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Monmouth Park
Thank you for all your engagement @WoodbineRacing Fans! And congrats to @MonmouthPark on record-breaking numbers today at #Haskell2015! #BetWoodbine – Mr. Will – A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
And of course we never leave you guys empty-handed! How about an official 2015 Haskell Invtational program signed by Victor Espinoza, jockey of American Pharoah?
Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook to enter. All are welcome. G’luck.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/TVG)
The 156th Queen’s Plate is less than two weeks away. Have you got your tickets yet? The realms of Fashion and Sports collide on Canadian Horse Racing’s biggest day Sunday, July 5, 2015 as the Country’s best three-year-olds face-off in the $1 million race, known as the most historic thoroughbred race in North America!
This quite honestly is the most competitive year yet and it really could be anybody’s race. Will Plate Trial winner DANISH DYNAFORMER repeat a dynamic performance? Will CONQUEST CURLINATE set matters straight after a narrow defeat in the Plate Trial? Will the lovely and talented filly ACADEMIC school the boys? Will SHAMAN GHOST terrify his competitors? Will AMI’S FLATTER compliment his supporters after being stamped the Winterbook choice to win the race earlier this year? Or will CONQUEST BOOGALOO funk us up? We’ll know v. soon.
All are welcome to the Hats & Horseshoes Party (18+ only) by the scenic Walking Ring at Woodbine Racetrack. Fans new and old are encouraged to come! In addition to a thrilling card of Live Racing, there will be a red carpet, live entertainment, food trucks, games and a chance for you to experience the official cocktail of the Queen’s Plate, the Blue Diamond! Bring your best hat or fascinator and be your own King or Queen!
In addition to glamour and excitement, $1 from every program and ticket sold for the Queen’s Plate will once again go to Rethink Breast Cancer!
Click here to get your tickets now! There aren’t many left, so hurry!
See this year’s groundbreaking LEGO TV Spot for the Queen’s Plate!
Yesterday we sent-off a Legend. Known as “The Voice of Woodbine” for the past 29 years, Race Announcer Dan Loiselle now is officially retired after calling his final race yesterday, the Lady Angela Stakes at the Toronto Racecourse.
As a huge Racing Fan, this comes with mixed emotions. Sure, we are happy to see him get a well-deserved break at last but more for selfish reasons, we are sad to see him go. Since childhood and as long as I remember going to Woodbine Racetrack, Loiselle‘s voice became synoymous with the thrill of a stretch drive, distancing the Winner that much further from the Runners-up. It could have been a Photo Finish, but Loiselle had you believing the Winner won by a mile. Each Race Call had its own individual story and he never was short on ideas to tell them smartly. Fans partly were cheering for the horses and jockeys, but few could deny that the excitement of a race finish at Woodbine was heightened considerably by Loiselle‘s exhilarating narrative. The tremor in his Baritone, the perspective and heart of a true Racing Fan. He told each Race as a Fan would see it, but a level of dexterity and accuracy no other Fan ever could.
Upon running into Loiselle this past Winter at an Open House event which he hosted, I semi-jokingly expressed my disapproval of his then-forthcoming retirement, crying “How dare you retire on me Dan!?”. He gave back an appreciative expression, but I knew at that point he was beyond a doubt certain of his decision and there wouldn’t be any reconsideration. Trust me, we’ve seen many false retirements in the Sport.
It brings me a great sense of pride to know that Loiselle considers me a Friend and upon exchanging hugs before his final Race Call yesterday, he tells me, “Will Wong, you’re a great Friend to have!”.
I’m going to miss Dan Loiselle so much, but know he won’t be that far away. I wish his Wife Wendy Loiselle, also an Employee at Woodbine nothing but happiness in this next chapter of their lives. We also look forward greatly to the Race Calls of Robert Geller, who comes to Woodbine Saturday, June 13th, by way of Emerald Downs in Washington.
Some of my favourite Race Calls from Loiselle…
Dance Smartly winning the Breeders’ Stakes:
Sky Classic winning the Rothman’s International:
Benburb winning the Molson Export Million:
Izvestia winning the Queen’s Plate:
Lexie Lou winning the Queen’s Plate:
See our Snap:
A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment/Mr. Will Wong)
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)
Horses always have been my other passion and if I am free, you know absolutely where to find me on weekends – Woodbine Racetrack! Other than being an Advocate of Entertainment in Canada, spreading the pure joy which Horse Racing brings me is something I take great pride in. My Family and I don’t agree on everything, but we all agree on our love of the Sport.
Although I am not a big Bettor by any measure, I do find myself a vastly-improving Handicapper, over the years getting to know the physical cues to look for in picking a Winner. My minuscule bets this year helped pay for a flight to New York and sometimes it’s nice having a bit of lunch money! Although it isn’t always about a Horses’ appearance, seeing the Horses up-close certainly gives you an advantage in being able to scope-out behavioural signs, musculature, composition and coat sheen.
I’ve adored these Athletes from a v. young age and always will be an Advocate for the Sport. It has been an absolute joy getting to know many at the Track these past few years especially, everyone from the Horses, Fans, Gamblers, Owners, Jockeys, Trainers, Grooms, Walkers, Handicappers, the Press Box and the Operational Staff. Each person has their own individual story and reason for being drawn to the Races.
It was a remarkable year for Canadian Racing with several new memories created. None would shine as bright nor make us as proud as the great Canadian Filly, LEXIE LOU. The thunderous applause that filled the Grandstand Queen’s Plate Day as Racing Fans old and new saw her crush her male opponents, made my eyes well with tears and seeing her run her heart out a valiant second in the Hollywood Derby to this year’s Kentucky Derby Winner CALIFORNIA CHROME, reiterates how incredibly-proud I am to be a Canadian.
Here are just some of the several thousand Snaps I took in and around the Racetrack in 2014.
Sit back and enjoy this fast-paced jog down Memory Lane:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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