Shirley Hat Tricks Again

KIN PARK In Vernon is one of the oldest racetracks in Canada, first hosting racing in 1894. Racing returned to the North Okanagan for a four weeks stand and jockey Sam Shirley continued the success he had in Osoyoos, winning three races for the second week in a row.

Shirley’s first win came in the fourth race with the classy 10 year old Quarter Horse, Forbidden Affair who dominated a field of younger short course runners. Owned by Chan and Sharon St. Clair of Colville, Washington, Forbidden Affair was aptly named. Sired by No Tell Motel out of the mare La Gallas Not Easy Forbidden Affair has been a fan favourite because of his nomenclature his ability as a race horse.

it just got better for Shirley in the fifth when he went easily across the wire with Tracy Turner’s Stop The Fight. Tracy’s and husband trainer are based in Okanogan, Washington. It was even easier sailing in the sixth when Shirley made the natural hat trick atop of Grandview Farm’s Big Bucket was much the best in a 6 1/2 furlong test. It’s was a third victory for Washington State, big is trained by Bill Warren of Spokane.

The seventh and final race was won by another Washington connection. Earl Crofoot of Brewster took his Real Kapital and jockey Ulli Pliefke to the winners’ circle. Pliefke won her second race on the circuit but is no stranger to the winners’ enclosure. Before moving to Canada Pliefke won over 3009 races in Europe including 48 Steeplechase races.

Earlier on the program Rick Robinson won the first handily aboard Kathy Deans Hail Raiser. In the second, leading rider Ron Bilodeau, was a comfortable winner with K Ollis and Doug Clyde’s Briartic Sun. The day’s Arabian contest was won by Norman Pottle’s NL Serbania. Trained by Vicki Anderson and ridden by Amber Dickinson, NL Serbania was slow in the early but loomed forcefully and provided fans with an exciting finish as the high tailed runners were cheered by the crowd as they came down the stretch.

---

Jim Brown
The Brown Derby

Trainer Jim Brown of Vancouver enjoys his successful interior forays and especially winning the HBPA Derby in Osoyoos. Prairie Star Racing StablesÕ Special Warrant was the runaway winner of this yearÕs rendition which offered the best purse of the meet. A short field of four went postward for the $4000 purse which is sponsored by the BC chapter of the HBPA. Special Warrant with jockey Sam Shirley became trainer BrownÕs third winner in four attempts(Turf Kat 1996, Sky Pro 1997) all with Shirley in the irons. Special Warrant, a three year old son of Seattle Street , cruised to the front from the break and opened 8 on the field before cruising down the lane six lengths clear after 6 1/2 furlongs. Brown added to his interior record which now stands at two wins and two seconds in four interior starts.

Sam Shirley, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, had the best day of the season. Shirley started the day aboard Mike ChristianÕs Gavotte. Gavotte, who won the Luke Gibson last week in Princeton, simply romped, annihilating a field fillies and mares with an easy 9 length victory. Another Shirley classic, hitting the front end early and cruising home, came in the third with Jack LindseyÕs Winburnt . Jack Lindsey has been coming to Canada to race more years than ShirleyÕs age and Winburnt was his first start of the season Shirley had clean trip and was three on top as they hit the wire.

Jockey Brooke Mellish,who only started riding this spring in Kamloops, made first appearance in the winner circle.. Her first career victory came in the second with Bob SchmidtÕs Bad Toda Bone, a mount that she picked up just before the race. The young riderÕs second win was a thrilling one, RockÕn Boy with Mellish up provided the fans with something to shout about when he used the rail advantage in a duel with Air Corn and came on again to score the win. RockÕn Boy now owned by Ron Mitchel has three wins in as many appearances this season..

In the fourth, a three horse contest, leading rider Ron Bilodeau provided the necessary urging for the win when he kept Robert KershawÕs filly Aly Feu to the task.. The girl from Quenel, Laurina Windt, won the only Arabian race with Tresa WagnerÕs CN Radune. The race had everyone on there feet as the high tailed runners were closely clustered through out the 5 1/2 furlong contest.