SAGEBRUSH STORMS

1999 Racing got underway on a blustery day at the KXA. The first week-end of racing, always difficult to put together, had to contend with the weather. The wind blew cold and hail hit the track mid way thru the card. The live handle was very soft with only $11,830 wagered but the simulcast handle was brisk in the Bob Jesson Centre as punters took shelter from the storm.

Despite weather conditions, the seven race card had some racing highlights for the record. The home team struggled as invaders from the coast, Washington state and the southern interior took all the pesos.

A new rider burst on to the scene with a flurry. Umberto Gomez a 24 year Mexican was cold all day but his riding was hot. Gomez who has won over 300 races in his homeland held the hot hand with three winners.

Trainer Jim Brown of Vancouver holds an enviable record on the interior and started the season on the same note. Brown legged Gomez for his first Canadian winner in the third. Gomez won the two last races, overcoming a stewards claim of foul in the Twin River Sprint aboard Clint Wilson’s Rim Dancer. In the last race he brought in Gary Fanning, E Guenther and Phil Hall’s North West Trapper another coastal invader.

Earl Crofoot of Brewster, Washington has raced on the interior circuit for over 25 years and got off to a great start when he won the first two races Occasionally Lucky with veteran Doug MacDonald in the irons eked out a nose victory over Love His Knickers in the first. Crofoot was right back in the winner circle with Roman Reality who was ridden by Ron Bilodeau. Crofoot son Eric also trains and he won the only Quarter Horse race with Miss Flying Te Bar who was an unset winner with Jockey Rick Robinson. Miss Flying Te Bar paid $34.50 to winner and headed an $803.50 a triactor.

Bilodeau got his second victory of the day with Gail Hochsteiner’s Feu Kan Do. Hochsteiner a school teacher from Osoyoos owns and trains her own horses and is also the breeder of Feu Kan Do.

• ---

  KXA NEGOTIATIONS POSITIVE
• The Kamloops Indian BandÕs willingness to renew the KXA lease at existing fees is a positive step for the multi purpose facility and the area. A city council committee will negotiate a new lease with Chief Manny Jules and band councillors at a meeting planned for May 17. The Band wants a longer term than the current five year lease. It was rumoured that the lease of $150,000 per year would be doubled after recent property assessments. In other KXA news. President Ken Bostock stepped as the race committee chair and the position will handled by Vice president Luigi Sales who is also the President of the North West Quarter Horse Breeders Society.

The end of the century is looming and the new board of directors at the Kamloops Exhibition Association will confront a major challenge. After a successful 1998 the association isn’t looking to the new century but to May 3, when negotiations between the Kamloops Indian Band and the City of Kamloops could decide the fate of the local multi purpose complex. The Band is looking for a rental increase after recent appraisals rose or perhaps taking over the facilities. The City is keeping it’s cards close to the chest until the meeting. The new KXA executive meanwhile is holding the bag and having to make plans with an uncertain future.

President Ken Bostock was reelected and will lead an executive that includes vice-president Luigi Sales, secretary Jennifer Schweitzer, treasurer Glenda Gesy and recording secretary Lynette Palmer. Rancher Raymond Kerr is an honorary director and there are eleven other elected directors. Appointed directors include City councillors Russ Gerard and Grant Robertson, Parks & Rec’s George Fdge and Kamloops Indian Band rep Jim Thomas.

Former KXA President Dave Keene was elected to the board after an absence of several years. The popular local Insurance Representative would like “to be on the inside for this important time”.

The KXA is an important part of Kamloops and the B.C. Interior and whatever transpires will have an impact on the whole region.