Sooner Derby Tight at the Wire

A length separated the first five horses in the $19,350 US Sooner Challenge Derby giving fans a heart pounding, hooves beating finish to the 1999 Kin Park race meeting. The winner, Kay Haus’ Im The Wind, battled every jump for top honours in the final with jockey Rory Noel. Im The Wind stable mate Cleats Image dead heated as the fastest qualifiers two weeks ago but the pair were a neck apart after 400 yards. In between the pair was Bill Hoberg’s Dash For The Dough who finished second by the narrowest of margins.

Jockey Sam Shirley continued his winning ways with another hat trick. In the second aboard Bob and Donna Drummond’s front running Dust Rouser Shirley held off Charge The Jury to win by a nose. Shirley’s other two winners were much easier as he coasted to the front with Albin Valair’s Francis Road in the fifth and galloped home with Mike Christian’s Gavotte in the Gen Tech Distaff. Both runners were more than five lengths in front of their respective fields after taking command from the opening bell.

After returning to race riding two weeks ago jockey Travis Wilkinson went to the winners circle twice. In the first Kathy Schrauwen/Patricia McCarthy and Bill Barnes’ RC McCarthy went straight to engine was still a half length the best at the wire. In the fourth P-1 Ranches Titan Rocket made it a double for Wilkinson. Titan Rocket’s was clear at the wire after setting the fractions. The whole at Kin Park has been totally dominated by front running horses.

The other winning rider was Brooke Mellish who made it two wins for trainer Bill Barnes when she guided Barnes two year old Quarter Horse Heidis Two Bold. Heidis Two Bold led throughout the 350 yard sprint.

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BC Cup V Races Into the Millennium

The air was electric with anticipation and the roar of the crowd as winners came down the gave the more than 8700 people a racing treat that won’t be forgotten. Full fields of the finest BC breds helped set records and create an atmosphere that could provide a spark to carry racing into the next century.

In a day full of wonderful successes, Amir Vahabzabeh’s Artic Son won the Lotto Super Seven Classic for a record setting third time. The win brought trainer Cindy Krasner’s total BC Cup victories to five and the lead in the trainer division. Jockey Frank Fuetes kept the six year old gelding close at the start rallied from the outside down the backside and drew clear in the final sixteenth.

It was a big day for Felipe Valdez as he won the Debutante with Lonesome Kat and brought in Rich R Gold.in the Stallion Stakes. Valdez also won the 1 3/8 mile Starter Handicap with Kim Harts’s Lucky Son. Lonesome Kat owned by Lorne McDougall and trained by Jim Brown started from the nine hole and was poised for the win at the head of the stretch. Valdez left from the eleven hole with Rich R Gold was wide early and advanced steadily to win driving. Both Rich R Gold and Lucky Son are owned by Kim Hart and trained by Steve Bryant.

The most impressive margin was taken by Minichiello Fashion Stables’ Dancewithavictor when drew off from his field in the Nursery Stakes. Well rated by leading jockey Gerry Olguin Dancewithavictor led throughout and was the shortest price of the day.

Olguin came right back in the next race, the Sprint Handicap with Barbara Michels’ Mark My Dreams. After going wide for most of the trip Mark My Dreams drew clear in a late rally overhauling the favorite two time Sprint winner, Knave. The five year old son of No Marker win rewarded trainer Lorne Richards’ patience and care.

In the Distaff the favourite Sky Borne left no doubt from the start as she increased her lead and came home 7 1/2 lengths in front of the field of eight fillies and mares. Under jockey Chris Loseth’s urging Sky Borne was second of four winning BC Cup favourites. The grey filly by Sky White is owned by Lola, Lynn, Brett and Scott McCarthy was trained by Steve Henson.

The biggest upset came in the Stallion Handicap for three year old fillies when James Redekops’ Mizzo broke free before turning for home. Mizzo $45.30 for $2 win ticket and combined with runner up Blue in Green and Full Scream Ahead for a $4869.50 triactor. A daughter of Free At Last, Mizzo is trained by Frank Barroby.

The upbeat BC Cup V crowd wagered $1,533,268, just shy of the record and most left having felt the excitement of great horse racing.