HorseRacingBC Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community
Issue # 52
www.horseracingbc.ca
June 2013
B it s & Bi kes FREE HorseRacingBC Subscription Can’t find a copy? Anyone wishing to receive this paper on their computer can email jimreynolds@ uniserve.com and simply ask to be put on the mailing list. You will receive it in a unique PDF format (free of course) each month. Gallyn Mitchell Fundraiser Scheduled for June 15 A special fundraiser for Gallyn Mitchell and his family is to be held at Emerald Downs after the Saturday, June 15, races in the Emerald Room on the fourth floor. In April, Mitchell, Emerald’s all-time leading rider, suffered a heart attack and the family faces mounting medical expenses. The event, which is $15 per person, will feature a pasta buffet and auction. A cash bar will also be available. An account in Mitchell’s name has been set up at Union Bank, where supporters can deposit cash gifts directly, no matter what the bank branch. Mitchell won the BC Derby in 2009 aboard Winning Machine. Trainer Delbert Rycroft Passes Popular ex-jockey turned trainer Delbert Rycroft died earlier this month. Rycroft liked and respected by horsemen in Albeerta and BC will leave a hole in the Hastings racing community. See obituary on page 2. Looking for photos HorseRacingBC is looking for old photos of people or horses from the past. Jockeys, trainers,and backstretch personnel from BC’s racing history are welcome and will be used in future issues. Each photo will be scanned and returned to it’s owner in the condition it is received. The Thoroughbred Ladies Club of BC, whose charity work and scholarship program has benefited backstretch workers at Hastings Racecourse since 1973, meets the first Tuesday each month. If you would like to join them in their worthwhile efforts or help at the occasional function, please call: Linda Sentes at 604-318-7949 or Barb Williams at 604-542-8951.
Back Row: Marlo Dunn, Frank Fuentes, Dave Wilson, Richard Hamel, Aaron Gryder, Robert Skelly, Ruben Lara Front Row: Ryan Pacheo, Scott Williams, Jeff Burmingham, Amadeo Perez, Alexander Marti, Enrigue Gonzalez
Hastings Hires New Racing Secretary
Stuart Slagle brings extensive experience in the horse racing industry to his new job as racing secretary at Hastings. Slagle began his job last week and said one of the reasons he was attracted to Hastings was the well-established racing community that exists in Vancouver. “I’ve worked in jurisdictions that were just getting started and places where racing had gone and was just coming back,” Slagle said. “I like the fact that there is a strong racing community here and long history of people enjoying racing.” Slagle, 45, graduated from the University of Texas in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and was working on a dissertation toward a doctorate in biophysics at the University of Illinois when he met David Block at an offtrack betting site. Block, along with his wife, Patricia, are among the top breeders in the midwest United States. “It was right about then when I decided the life of academia wasn’t for me,” Slagle said. “Mr. Block invited me to see his operation at the track, and I was their guest quite a few times when they were running horses. I learned quite a bit from them. I became very interested in horse racing at a serious level and
read every racing book I could to learn the game.” Slagle was working as an IT tech at Motorola when he decided to move to California, where he became involved in start-up IT companies. “Some went under and some are still going,” Slagle said. “I was in the paddock at Del Mar one day and met Tom Quigley, the publisher of The Horse Player Magazine, and all of a sudden I became their webmaster and IT guy.” Slagle said he was getting a bored with his computer work and came up with the “crazy idea of being a jockey’s agent.” “I fancied myself a pretty good handicapper and thought I would be a good agent,” Slagle said. “I wasn’t crazy enough to try and break in as an agent in Southern California, so I went to Sunland Park in New Mexico, where frankly I was not a very good agent.” Looking for a new career in racing, Slagle found a position in the racing office at Retama. He not only worked in the office but also as a placing judge. From there, he has had a variety of jobs such as stints as the racing secretary at tracks that have short meets, including Arapahoe Park in Colorado and The Downs of Albuquerque.
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Under his leadership in his first year at Albuquerque in 2007, the field size increased from 6.98 starters per race to 7.62. At Arapahoe, field size went from 6.98 to 7.90 in 2008. The past four years, Slagle has been studying under racing secretary Georganne Hale at the Maryland Jockey Club. His official title was placing judge, but a big part of his duties was to try and encourage horsemen from other jurisdictions to come to Maryland to race. “He was really great at hustling horses,” Hale said. “He went way above his job description and was a great employee. I’m sorry he had to go so far away to get the opportunity to be a racing secretary.” con’t on pg 7
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Issue # 52
Racing News
Gallyn Mitchell Remembering… Delbert Rycroft Recovering from November 20, 1950—June 2013 Northlands 80-day meet begins with Heart Attack After suffering a heart He was, like all jockeys retooled schedule It won’t be business as usual at the 2013 Northlands Park meet. The 80-day season, which started on May 3rd, will not feature racing on Sundays this year. Instead, management is trying to expand its export business by running on Mondays. Beginning on Canada Day, July 1, Northlands will race on 10 consecutive Mondays ending on Labor Day, September 2. “Our Sundays haven’t been that strong in recent years, and since our export business has been growing, we thought we would experiment with Mondays,” said Chris Roberts, venue director at Northlands. “We’re also going to try and tap the local seniors market. We’ve made arrangement to bus in groups from seniors’ homes, and we’ll cater to them when they arrive. The Good Ol’ Days
attack, Gallyn Mitchell was at the races earlier this month and watched a race named in his honor—the Get Well, Gallyn Mitchell Purse. “I’m by no means walking away, but I’m going to give it a rest and enjoy my family,” said Mitchell, No. 1 all-time at Emerald Downs with 1,347 wins and 76 stakes wins.
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June 2013
must be, small in stature, but you wouldn’t tell Delbert that. In his mind he was as big as anyone. Ask those who ride with him, especially those who occasionally got on his wrong side. He was a tough hombre. Delbert Rycroft died from unknown causes either late Sunday evening or early Monday morning. The former jockey was discovered in his hotel room Monday at the North Burnaby Inn by jockey Scott Williams. Born in Sexsmith, Alberta on November 20, 1950 Rycroft, 62, began his riding career in Alberta where he won the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park when he was an apprentice in 1971. He was well known at Hastings, then called Exhibition Park, for riding tough horses that others riders refused to ride. Between 1976 and 1991 he won over 600 races in Vancouver. After retiring from riding he maintained a close relationship with his former agent Buzz Burke. “We were like brothers,” said Burke. “He was definitely the king of the one liners and he had a heart of gold. He was a real cowboy and there was nothing he loved more than riding horses.” Rycroft was born and still lived in Tee Pee Creek, Alberta. Burke said a memorial service will be held in Tee Pee Creek but wasn’t sure of the date. There will also be a memorial service at Hastings. He is survived by his sister Joyce Tomshak and his mother, Dorothy Rycroft.
Issue # 52
www.horseracingbc.ca
June 2013
New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Series over the next few years. New Stride’s $7,500 Thoroughbred Hunter Society showcases the horse with Classic Series will take place at Thunderbird a $7,500 Hunter Classic Series
History: Horseracing and Drinking As early as 1140, the first of a long line of kings named Henry tried to improve Hobby horsesShow Park (June 2) and Milner Downs Eques-pony-sized Irish horses--by importing Arab Last year an estimated 25,200 Thoroughbred trian Centre (July 20 & 27). The Finale will be stallions to give them more speed and stronger foals were registered with the Jockey Club. power. Throughout the Crusades, from 1096 to Within a few years, many of those horses will be held at Thunderbird Show Park in late September. The Series will be open to all riders and 1270, Turkish cavalry horses dominated the finished with their racing careers and will need registered Thoroughbred horses with fences larger English warhorses, leading the Crusaders new homes. That’s where New Stride Thoroughbeing set at the horses’ respective division to buy, capture or steal their share of the stallions. bred Adoption Society comes in. The registered charity finds adoptive homes and new careers for heights. An additional $500 in prize money will After the War of the Roses, which decimated be awarded to the top overall Thoroughbred/rider England’s horse population, King Henry aimed to Thoroughbred racehorses and has successfully combination between the East and West champi- rebuild his cavalry. Both the king and his son, placed over 120 since it was formed in 2002. ons. Henry VIII, imported horses from Italy, Spain New Stride is proud to recognize, promote, and New Stride is pleased to recognize Austeville and North Africa, and maintained their own reward Thoroughbred owners and riders with its Properties, Chiefswood Stables, Great Canadian racing stable. Henry’s Hobbys, as they were $7,500 Hunter Classic Series for 2013. “We aim called, raced against horses owned by other to show the public the best side of the Thorough- Casino, North American Thoroughbred Horse Company, and Shannon Stables Ltd for their nobility, leading the word “hobby” to mean a bred horse and the industry built around it,” said “costly pastime indulged in by the idle rich.” Bill Randall, President of New Stride Thorough- support of the Series. It also lends credibility to horseracing being bred Adoption Society. “Our unique series will labeled as the Sport of Kings, although this raise the profile of Thoroughbreds in sport and phrase’s origination comes later. will ultimately help find more homes for these Henry used tax revenues to maintain his stables, magnificent animals.” claiming that by breeding winners with winners The idea of holding a Thoroughbred Hunter he could improve the quality of the cavalry. Classic Series was spearheaded by Stacey KremWhile certainly a landmark philosophy in horse bil and Long Run Thoroughbred Adoption racing, Henry was unable to apply its practice; Society in Ontario. Over the last five years, it has his Master of the Horse, the title of Henry’s turned into a highly regarded Series that draws racing stable director, was not a professional Thoroughbred enthusiasts ranging from promishorseman and recklessly crossbred the entire ing amateurs to seasoned professional riders. The stable. The stable consisted of a variety of interSeries is showcased at a variety of “A” Circuit national horses with an even wider mix of genes, and FEI-ranked shows. so well mixed they earned the moniker “cockWorking in partnership with Stacey Krembil and tails,” our current word for a mixed drink. It is Long Run, New Stride’s goal is to build the same not known for sure, but this may be the oldest success in British Columbia and create a national piece of evidence linking horse racing with Frank Fuentes Sets Career Milestone, 1,500 Wins drinking! Last month one of the most respected riders to cross the Hastings Racecourse threshold has been Frank Fuentes. Since arriving in Vancouver in 1987. The 53 year old Fuentes rode his 1,500th career win last Saturday aboard Go for Guiness. Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Fuentes began his career on the Southern California circuit in 1983 and accepted an invitation by the late Jack Diamond to join the jockey colony at Exhibition Park 26 years ago. Fuentes has won 104 stakes races in Vancouver, the latest being the $50,000 George Royal aboard Shrug on April 28 for trainer Dino Condilenios, who has high praise for the man: “Frank is the ultimate professional. Over and above his riding ability, he is just a great person and we’ve become very good friends. He’s one of the good guys.”
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Issue # 52
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Stakes Winners… photos courtesy of Four Footed photos The Strawberry Morn
June 2013
The John Longden 3000
Evelyn’s Dancer — b f, by Songansaprayer - Seraphic Too - Southern Halo Herbie D — b g, by Orchid’s Devil - Chilli Chines - Katowice. Breeder; Breeder: Bryan Lyster, Gray Lyster et al., Owner: Mark DeDomenico & George Robbins, Owner George Robbins, Trainer Rob Gilker, Jockey North American Thoroughbred Horse Co. Trainer: Troy Taylor, Jockey: Frank Fuentes, Time: 1:15.1 Arron Gryders, Time: 1:16.1 The Jim Coleman
Hats at Hastings
FEDORAS & FASCINATORS t isn’t mandatory but trendy … with Hastings Racecourse having developed into a Vancouver entertainment destination for Friday Night Live racing, sightings of fascinators and fedoras have become the norm with a live deejay, food & drink specials and live racing under the lights! There are 11 Friday Night Live events on this year’s Hastings calendar.
Proud Victor — dk b or b c, by Storm Victory - Proud Bella - Stephanotis. Breeder; JC Stables, OwnerRiversedge Racing Stables, Trainer: Greg Tracy, Jockey Fernando Perez, Time: 1:17
Issue # 52
www.horseracingbc.ca
A New Challenge For Pedro Alvarado
Pedro Alvarado knows the racetrack, the physical side of it and the mental—he knows how tough it can be. He has been leading rider four times and was a fan favourite during his riding career. But and this year will attempt a new career in horseracing, as a trainer. Pedro Alvarado was born in 1965 in Jalisco, Mexico, a state on the west coast, known as the centre of the tequila producing industry, where an uncle used to play the ponies and introduced him to the game when he was eight years old. As he grew older he started
asking people around the track how he could get into racing and found out that there was a jockey’s school at Hipódromo de las Américas in Mexico City. Young Pedro attended the school for two years. The local Mexican tracks had good riders but his heroes were Lafitte Pincay and Angel Cardero who used to come to Mexico City for the big races. After an apprenticeship, with a talented ex-rider turned trainer named Jose Brava, he emigrated to Spokane, Washington when he was 19 years old and in the
winter he went to Santa Anita to gallop horses where he met arguably the best rider of the 90’s, Patrick Valenzuela. He learned a lot working and galloping with such California superstars and wanted to ride there but an unfortunate decision to ride in China caused him trouble with the US immigration and Pedro was disqualified from green card status and he found himself stuck in Vancouver with nothing to do in the mornings he naturally drifted to Hastings racetrack where he met racing secretary Lorne Mitchell who helped him with the necessary immigration forms to ride in Canada. “And that was it,” says Pedro. “Within six weeks I was riding here. And Vancouver has been good to me. I’ve been happy here.” But his riding days are in the past and with his
June 2013
feet planted firmly on the ground and eight horses in his barn he has turned his hand to training. “ That part of racing (riding) is over for me now. It’s time to move on,” he says “It’s a beautiful game,” he says in a surprisingly poetic turn of phrase. “If you love horses it’s beautiful, but it’s very tough. Especially if you are mentally weak, because you’ve got to take a lot of beatings.
But if you love the horses and you think you can do it it’s a beautiful game. But you have to want it. If you’re lazy that doesn’t go well.” Watching him ride you could see Pedro’s strength as a rider. A sense of horses and how they run that should take him far as a trainer. He talks easily about horses and the sport he loves but he’s also a private individual who
is a bit shy about talking about himself or about his problems. But this much comes through. He is determined, driven to succeed. He knows the track, how tough it can be. And this year he’ll be out to prove something again — although he has nothing, really, to prove. Pedro won his first race (below) on May 20th with B.S. Stable’s Yes He’s Trouble.
Four Footed photos
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Issue # 52
“A Thoroughbred Affair” at Emerald Downs
A Thoroughbred Affair, a From avid show participants western), polo and barrel racing unique all-Thoroughbred horse to devoted trail riders, 4-H’ers are already scheduled to be show and demonstrations will to high school equestrian team presented. Each demonstrating be held at Emerald Downs members, from the professional group will have an informational racetrack on October 5. to the recreational rider, A booth including video. Intended as a fundraiser for Thoroughbred Affair is for all Spectators will have the the sponsoring organization, Thoroughbred lovers! opportunity to interact with Participants will have the The Prodigious Fund, the Thoroughbreds well-known event provides an opportunity opportunity to share their to racing fans - You Me and for owners of Thoroughbreds horse’s story on the “I Love My Emma B, Wasserman and West (including former racehorses!) Thoroughbred” display wall. Seattle Boy are all tentatively to demonstrate to the general Here we will read of the horse’s scheduled to take a turn in the public that their horses are “user- racing background, how the Thoroughbred Affair petting pen. friendly” mounts, mentors and horse came into the rider’s life, Bring your camera and have your companions. and how much their life has been picture taken standing in front The class list has been designed enriched by the Thoroughbred. of your favorite, or simply offer to reflect and support this. From All will be inspired to find a them a carrot! the lead line (for children six Emerald Downs’ Prodigious way to have a Thoroughbred and under) and walk/trot to affair of their own! Toward Fund supports and promotes the jumping and trail courses, that end, horses available for the transition of Thoroughbred exhibitors will show their purchase, lease or adoption will racehorses to their next career. Thoroughbreds quietly toting be designated with an Emerald Proceeds from and donations youngsters and obeying the green ribbon on their tail, as well generated at A Thoroughbred commands of their riders, young as a sticker on their story page. Affair will all go toward that and old. In addition, demonstrations of goal. For more information, Thoroughbred enthusiasts from the multitude of areas in which contact show manager Karen all disciplines and levels are the Thoroughbred can excel will Worthington at (360) 825-7498, encouraged to take advantage be held during the lunch break. (253) 797-3393 or exracers@ newliveswashington.org. of this unique opportunity. Dressage (both classical and
Slagle…con’t from pg 1
“I enjoyed calling trainers in New York like Gary Contessa and Kiaran McLaughlin to see if they had horses to fit our program,” Slagle said. “The thing about hustling horses is being able to offer their connections a reason to come. For instance, some of McLaughlin’s well-bred Darley maidens might not be good enough to win in New York but could do well at Pimlico. I don’t know how many times I called Anthony Dutrow, but he was real supportive and brought a lot of horses to Maryland.” Slagle plans to be active in trying to recruit horsemen from other jurisdictions to give Hastings
June 2013
Desert Park 2013 Osoyoos Racing - Condition Sheet
Entry Date: Monday, June 10, 2013 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Race Date: Saturday, June 15, 2013 Phone: 250-495-7312 Post Time: 3:00 PM
Race 1 Purse $3000 SMITTYS MAIDEN CUP 4 Fur TB Maiden Allowance ..BC Breds... 3 year olds & up Weight 126 lb. 3 yr olds alw 3 lb Race 2 Purse $3000 OSOYOOS RUN FOR THE ROSES 4 - 5 1/2 Fur TB Allowance…Non Winners 3 or 4 Races Lifetime Weight 126 lb..3 year olds & up..3 yr olds alw 3 lb Race 3 PENDERGRAFT MEMORIAL RACE Purse $5000 7 Fur TB Allowance 3 year olds & up Weight 126 lbs 3 yr olds alw 3 lbs Race 4 Purse $4000 OPENING OF THE DESERT CLASSIC 4 - 5 1/2 Fur TB Allowance Fillies & Mares Weight 123 lb 3 year olds & up 3 yr old alw 3 lb. Race 5 Purse $3000 DESERT AIRE REALTY SPRINT 4 Fur TB Claiming $2500 Weight 126 lb.3 year olds & up 3 yr old alw 3 lb Race 6 AQHA BONUS CHALLENGE Purse $15,000 330 yds a try. Bank of America Challenge eligible only “I’m not sure how much I can do this year, but QH Allowance Weight 126 lb I’ve already talked to some horsemen about coming 3 yr olds & up 3 yr old alw 3 lb. here from Arapahoe after their meet ends and I am certainly going to be active over the winter,” Slagle Extra 1 Purse $3000 QH CLASSIC DISTANCE 440 yds QH Allowance said. “You have to have a thick skin because most Weight 126 lb 3 year olds & up 3 yr olds alw 3 lb of the people you ask are going to say no. I don’t mind getting rejected as long as there are some Extra 2 Purse $3000 OSOYOOS DESERT successes along the way.” 330 yds Slagle is just starting to get his feet wet in his new PARK SPEEDHORSE QH Maiden Allowance Weight 126 lb position and said he is counting on assistant racing 3 year olds & up..3 yr olds alw 3 lb secretary and racing analyst Matt Jukich to help him feel his way through the next few weeks. Extra 3 Purse $3000 TB Allowance Non Win“One of the things I have to work on is my under- ners 2 Races Lifetime 5 1/2 Fur standing of the personalities of the local horsemen Weight 126 lb..3 year olds & up and what kind of horses fit at Hastings,” Slagle 3 yr olds alw 3 lb said. “Matt certainly knows racing in the Pacific Northwest better than I do, and I’ll be drawing on Extra 4 Purse $3000 TB Claiming $4000 5 his knowledge and everyone on the racing office 1/2 Fur Weight 126 lb 3 year olds & up..3 yr olds alw 3 lb team to help get me up to speed.” courtesy Daily Racing Form Extra 5 Purse $3000 TB Allowance….2 yr olds… Weight 123 lb. 4 Fur MIXED RACES - Fillies & Mares alw 5 lbs. If horse-racing is the sport of Kings, how come there are no famous royal jockeys?
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Issue # 52
www.horseracingbc.ca
I Have A Foal! Now, What? Usually a foal represents many months of waiting and the irresistible hope to a brighter future and a fast horse. Breeders only know the herculean effort required to produce a “perfect” foal. From the moment the mare conceives, until the start gate and even more, the winning circle, there are many opportunities for things to turn south. In fact, by the time a horse makes it to the winning circle it represents approximately a 10-15 % elite from the time of breeding a mare. Where are the rest? Unfortunately, they were left on their way, victims to poor fertility, disease, or simply “lack of heart” or ability. The first four months in a racehorse’s life are critical for his/her future. Many obstacles await on the sidelines to take their chances. Some of them are invariably hopeless, but others are just “bumps” on the road. Right after birth, dam and foal should be checked by your veterinarian. Ensuring appropriate colostrum and belly button care will fence off many nasty problems such as blood poisoning (septicemia), and joint ill. Foals are delicate
June 2013
Antonio M. Cruz DVM, MVM, MSc, Dr.Med.Vet
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons.; Diplomate European
creatures and subject to serious and sometimes life-threatening problems in the first few weeks of life. You should not disregard a foal that “just does not look right” as this may be heralding a much larger problem and usually their health status can change in the blink of an eye. Keep an eye on the mare’s udder. Is it empty? Or on the contrary it is full because the foal is not nursing well. Foals can be difficult to read sometimes as they tend to sleep a lot, and therefore subtle states of depression can be missed. Umbilical hernias, are not uncommon, but many disappear on their own, particularly if small. Usually if the hernia is larger than three-fingers wide, it is recommended to get it fixed. On the other hand, inguinal hernias (bowel in the scrotum thus a large scrotum visible) need to be attended promptly and a decision made in consultation with your veterinarian. If your mare had a colt, the testicles should be in the scrotal sac at birth. Lack of testicular descent qualifies your horse as a cryptorchid or “rig”. Contrary to people’s tales,
a true cryptorchid testicle will not descend at a later time in life, regardless of efforts. Colts are also predisposed to have ruptured bladders during birth, which are a significant problem in need of quick attention. Foals with ruptured bladders will continue urinating, but their frequency increases and the volume of urine diminishes. Continued straining is also a feature of this problem. Foals will also strain repeatedly if they have a meconium impaction, except that the straining to defecate is characterized by a raised back and, the straining to urinate is characterized by a dropped back. Meconium impactions tend to be simpler problems while ruptured bladders are nothing but simple. Cough, nasal discharge, colic and diarrhea in foals should never be underestimated with the exception of foal heat diarrhea usually seen at 9-10 days of age. It is important to ensure that your foal has appropriate nutrition and exercises regularly with mum. You must watch growth spurts carefully and lower their plane of nutrition if too high in order to prevent devel-
College of Veterinary Surgeons
opmental orthopaedic disease or DOD. This disease complex includes things like crooked legs, flexor deformities, OCD and epiphysitis. Many of these are correctible if caught on time. Even though year after year, large yearlings top the sales listings you definitely don’t want a fast growing foal nor a excessively large one. Nature will complete its task perfectly if we let her. You should watch not only for leg straightness but also for swollen joints or mild lameness both abnormal findings in need of attention. A “crooked” fetlock needs to be attended “pronto” as by the time the foal reaches 2-3 months of age, you may have lost the opportunity to correct it. With the knee, that timing stretches to 4-5 months. All in all, everything will most likely go well if you do your duediligence, but you should learn to identify the more worrying signs that something is not just quite right. If that is the case you can always give us a call and get a phone consultation. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!
A BC Canadian To The American Triple Crown
by Mel Kositsky
Goldencents ran in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Maybe he will do better in the Belmont. Gary Fanning of Surrey who used to have a few horses a while back found this trophy in his barn Fanning raced horses in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Seattle, Fort Erie and Woodbine. Bodyworks is the granddam of Goldencents. Owner was Phil Kives (of K-Tel fame) who has run a lot of horses at Winnipeg. Don Gray is Gary’s cousin. He died of a massive heart attack on Christmas morning 1993. He was the all-time leading trainer at Assiniboia Downs with 869 wins when he passed on. His brother Clayton Gray still trains at there. Fanning remembers his cousin always dressed the part - showing respect for the “sport of kings”. He always wore a suit and tie to the paddock when saddling his horses. He used to tell everyone: “Pay your bills and keep your mouth shut.”
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rwaynei@telus.net
Issue # 52
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June 2013