Desert Park, Osoyoos, BC (right on the border with WA) held its one-day "race meet" today, the only track in the province that was granted dates this year besides Hastings in Vancouver, and this place makes Hastings look like Del Mar. It's not even listed on Equibase. Anyway, I've never been to a real bush-track bullring before, and this was SO much fun. Four and five-horse fields going five a a half furlongs (and some quarters, who we missed seeing), mostly for $2500, mostly coming from neat places with track abbreviations I took forever to decode, like Grande Prairie and Lethbridge AB, Sun Downs WA, Great Falls MT, the OR fair circuit... and even some EmD, PM and (gasp) GG (the BIG TIME!)
Besides being a rocking good time in the country, wearing silly hats, and also being crazy hot in the literal desert, highlights included an apparently ten-year-old boy leading horses in the paddock, the fact that the infield is also a soccer field every other day of the year, and an intriguing, unraced, well-bred 5YO War Pass mare, a late scratch, but what has to happen in those five years to get you from KY (probably) to Desert Park, BC and an average of half a timed work every two months? So crazy. Anyway, the horses all looked happy and well-taken care of, and it was a blast. Thought I'd share some pics!
Looking southeast. US border is at the right edge of the photo. Some of the best vineyards in the valley are that (obviously irrigated) green area behind the track. Town of Osoyoos and the corresponding lake in the background.
Behind the paddock, actual cowboys were working some Paints in round pens. Just like at Woodbine, right?
The Desert Park Derby: CLM2500
Stormin Fever filly from an Indian Charlie mare leads them down the stretch for the first time in this 5 1/2f marathon
Sneakin Cat a decisive winner in the feature. I also hit the exacta, not terribly challenging in a five-horse field, but it paid for my hotdog!!
