Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

26/ 10/ 99 – Vancouver: It was one of the great racing events of the Hastings’ season, the 1 ½ Mile Lions Gate, on Sunday, October 24^th. Trainer Alex Murray said that he had Vernon Invader prepped for the event, and he was right. It was an impressive field of 7 horses, any one of which could have taken the brass ring. When the gate opened, Vernon Invader shot out and took the lead, wiring the field, with Robert Skelly in the irons. Vernon Invader, who was unstoppable last year, had been under-performing this year, only coming up for a second and a couple of thirds in stakes races at Hastings and on the prairies. But in this race he looked and ran like a winner all the way. This was the most impressive race I’ve seen him run since his big win last year in the BC Derby, and it must have thrilled his owners, William and Shiron Smith. Second and third money was picked up by Colonial Secretary, a classy 7 year old gelding who boasts Pleasant Colony and Secretariat in his lineage. Sam Krasner put in an outstanding ride on Colonial Secretary, who almost nipped Vernon Invader at the wire. An impressive run was also made by Big Mig, with Brian Johnson in the irons. The pay outs were: Vernon Invader $4.60/ $3.30/ $2.60; Colonial Secretary $4.30/ $2.90; and Big Mig $2.80. The 5-4 Exacta paid $25.50. Next up on the same day was the 1 1/8^th Autumn Leaves with a field of 8 horses. This race was more predictable, with the speedy Yaletown, with Brian Johnson in the irons, coming up for first money. Second and third money was picked up by Danish Dynamite, with Dave Wilson riding, and Just Free, with Jake Barton in the irons. The pay outs were: Yaletown $3.10/ $2.40/ $2.30; Danish Dynamite $7.40/ $4.90; and Just Free $5.00. The 2-3 Exacta paid $22.90, and the 2-3-4 Trifecta paid $102.40.

 

On the previous Saturday, October 23^rd  the 1 1/8^th Mile Harbourview was won by Winning Agenda, with Sam Krasner riding. Second and third money was picked by Sagacity, with Fernado Serna in the irons, and Morning Pearl, with Brian Johnson in the saddle.

 

I need to mention yet another win by Stormin To Victory, who beat out his competitors at 1 1/16^th in the 6^th race last Sunday. This little colt has had an up and down year, but is slowly coming around. Perhaps part of his problem this year was the virus which he contracted at the opening of the 99 season. His back-breeding suggests he is capable of much better, and with the winter lay off he might improve next season.

 

Speaking of the Park, Anne Villeseche, the Hastings’ bug girl, has moved to Woodbine, where last weekend she won her first race out east at 1 1/16^th on a longshot. Larry Lacoursiere is back after a long absence due to a separated shoulder. Dan Brock is up from Emerald Downs to close out the Hastings’ season. And Jake Barton, no stranger to our oval, is back tearing up the track – his rides on the Alberta invader, Code Name Fred, in two of our stakes races this year, were impressive by anyone’s standards.

 

You will recall that I said several columns back that I wanted to speak about turf races. If you’re an old hand at this you can stop reading now. But, if you are interested in turf races, and have difficulty handicapping them, you might want to read on. In turf handicapping slightly different rules apply. Firstly, speed is of less importance than endurance. High Beyers (i.e., speed ratings) can be deceptive in the case of turf runs. This is especially true of races over a mile in distance. A horse on dirt who earns a Beyer of 100+, might achieve a 94 Beyer on grass. And when the turf is “yielding” the horses are slowed down even more than they would be on a sloppy dirt track. A yielding turf track is roughly equivalent to a “dead” or “heavy” dirt track. You have to be especially watchful for fast horses who are switching from dirt to turf and vica versa. Dirt runners often need a few  races over the turf just to get used to the new surface. Watch the jockeys too, some are superior turf riders who know just how to rate a horse on the grass. Riders like Chris Antley and Gary Stevens are particularly good on the turf.

 

Back-breeding is also extremely important in turf runs. I prefer connections back to Prince John, Mill Reef, Mr. Prospector, Lord At War, and the Australian turf sire Danehill. You must sometimes do some digging to find the offspring of these sires, but they perform above average on the turf. I cannot underscore enough the importance of endurance over speed. The above listed sires produced endurance runners.

 

Handicapping turf races can be demanding, but it’s equally rewarding. And I think you’ll find a number of under-bet prospects in almost every race. I could tell you of show bets made on simulcasts from Hong Kong, Australia, the US and Canada which have paid me back over $20 on every $2 bet made. One of the reasons for this can be attributed to the bettors who, being unskilled in turf handicapping, miss potential winners going off at long odds, because they insist on wagering on speed over endurance. In fact, I have spoken to an army of local handicappers who won’t touch turf races, because they have difficulty sorting out the good grass horses from the poor ones.

 

So, the next time the opportunity presents itself, try a turf race or two, keeping my tips in mind. Until my next column, may your betting luck endure the distance.