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William Leech’s Two at The Wire
Dead heats aren’t rare but a dead heat between two horses
trained by the same trainer is a feat to remember especially when
it’s the fastest qualifying time for Vernon’s richest
race of the season. That’s what happened at Kin Park for
Alberta trainer William Leech who saddled Kay Haus’ Im The
Wind and Leech Agencies’ Cleat’s Image. The pair of
short course runners nailed the fastest times to qualify for the
$20,000 US Sooner Trailer Derby to be held on July 31st. Alberta
jockey Rory Noel was up on Im the Wind while leading rider Ron
Bilodeau handled Cleats Image.
Ron Bilodeau continued his winning ways. In the first he brought
home Zorlack’s Back for Vernon owner trainer Verna Fisher
who also is the breeder. Bilodeau went wire to wire in a gallop
aboard Monte Burbank’s one eyed grey and fan favourite Fali
Flower.
Jockey Sam Shirley, who has been on a roll since turning thirty
three weeks ago, was in the winner circle twice. In the second
it was ten year old Press Tour going to the front to provide owner
trainer Chan St Clair with the victory. In the seventh Shirley
avoided traffic problems drew clear and won in hand with Robert
Kershaw’s Alyfeu.
The rest of the card belonged to the ladies. In the second Corrine
Sengotta, who just returned to race riding after starting a family,
rode a bang up race with her father Wade Hardie’s So Cool
in the Norah Valair Distaff. So Cool, the mare of the year last
year stormed out of no where to get up in the final strides. Young
jockey Brook Mellish won the Waddy’s Restaurant Speed Sprint
by a head , with thoroughbred Twice Away. Owned by Mike Christian
and trained by Bill Warren, Twice Away was the longshot of the
day paying $22.70. The second heat of the Sooner Challenge Derby
trials was won by Terri Landaker with Bonnett Enterprises Timeline
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BC
Cup V Races into the Millennium
BC Cup V committee joines the web! BC Cup Day is the biggest
day in Western Canadian Racing and the event is made possible
by the the hard working volunteer committee of the CTHS. The
new web site is presently under construction will give race
fans and racing people a chance to get on line to learn about
all the events that are part of BC Cup week. Country Times
On Line is delighted to work with graphic artist Greg MacDonald
and CTHS BC Cup committee to make this possible.
The annual event offers over $450,000 in purses and will be
held on August the second at Hastings Park. The seven BC Cup
races show case the very best of B.C. breed thoroughbreds.
BC Cup week kicks off with the annual Golf Tournament at Belmont
GC in Fort Langley on Monday,July 26. Cattle Penning is a
BC Cup tradition and this year takes place at Canmor Farms
in Aldergrove on Wednesday, July 28. Following the Cattle
Penning there will be a real western Hoedown and everyone
is welcomed. The post position draw on Thursday July 29 in
clubhouse will capture media attention and set the spot light
on the schedule for the big day.
After the very best have competed for BC Cup V honours the
spot light will focused on the yearling crop. On Tuesday August
third a parade of the yearlings which will be sold takes place
at Milner Downs in Langley. The following day breeders from
throughout B.C. will have on offer this year’s yearling
crop. All the youngster will be eligible for the rich purses
that part of BC Cup Day.
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