This year we had our brand new track open – the only 1 mile oval in Canada west of Toronto, Century Mile. Previous to that, we'd run at Northlands (first start was in the late 80s with the first win in 1990 with this absolute legend of a homebred, Zurbriggen), Evergreen Park, Fort Erie, Stampede Park (now defunct), and eventually, Century Downs. We came into the season with three horses, and we ended up running in the 1st ever race at Century Mile, finishing 3rd.
Our season was decent. We finished the year 17: 3-3-6, including a stakes placing, with $32,449 in earnings (the purses here are very sad).
Anyway, here are some photos (I can post full res. if you're really interested).
The two boys, Irish Gold (bay) and Dense Fog (grey). Irish was foaled in Alberta and Foggy was foaled in Kentucky at Clarkland, the same farm that owns Leslie's Lady. Irish is the favourite child. We also have another mare who's now 8 but I don't have any good photos of her. Her name is Lyla Lorraine (Lyla), an Ontario-bred who came to Alberta a few years back. All of them love peppermints.
Our trainer's horse, Smart Fix, sizing up her competition before she smoked them all in an 18/1 upset. She finished the year 7: 3-2-0, all in stakes company and earnings of $104,430. She won the premier race for older females in the province, the Alberta-bred older female stakes, and the Fall Distaff against some tough horses. If she doesn't win horse of the year, champion older female, and Alberta-bred of the Year, I'm rioting.
The race before the Canadian Derby was Irish's race. He didn't do so hot, wilting to 9th after being off for two months because his races weren't filling.
Not one of ours, but later that weekend was the Canadian Derby, Western Canada's premier race for three year-olds. It was considered to be the deepest field in the race's 80+ year history. This was my favourite horse, Godolphin-owned Journeyman, who crossed the wire first but was DQed to 2nd after interference in the stretch.
The entire tarmac was packed full of people (admission is free to the tracks always). This was my view standing on one of the benches as they passed us for the first time. I hadn't been to a Canadian Derby for years, and this one was definitely a ton of fun.
Foggy in the paddock behind a good kid for once in his life.
The break. Foggy is the giant grey one in the middle looking regal.
In early September, we moved down to Century Downs in Calgary, where I live from September through to April. The 2-month meet is highlighted by Alberta Fall Classic Day, a day to showcase the best Alberta-breds in training. Last year, Irish won the sprint race, the Red Diamond Express Handicap, and you can view that race replay here.
This year, he was going back in that race and gutted it out, finishing 2nd by a neck. The horse that beat him would go on to win Century Downs' top race, the Harvest Plate.
Irish after the Red Diamond Express Handicap with his grooms, Zac (handler) and Raule (just hanging out but he smiled for me).
Later that day, Smarty was running, and she toyed with them. Here she was focused in the paddock.
and then all by herself in the stretch. She ended up winning by almost 5 lengths.
The last race of the year for Irish was an allowance optional claiming. He finished 5th in this race one he didn't get the lead (he refuses to rate and will fight you if you try to make him).
Foggy finished off his year in Calgary with two straight wins (don't have any photos because it was cold and miserable). This year, he went 7: 3-2-3 and never lost by more than a combined length. He also won his debut back after 17 months of being off.
Irish ended 6: 0-1-2 with $12,811 in earnings. He will likely be getting a class break and will run in the higher end of Alberta claimers this coming year but we'll see how everything goes.
Anyway that's what I've got for now. Hopefully it's interesting seeing the less-flashy tracks – it's definitely no Churchill or Saratoga but our little circuit is still loads of fun. If you're interested in hearing more feel free to ask, I love talking about the kids and racing in general!
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