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Spring “training” for the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 continued on the Circuit A track at Edmonton’s Century Mile Race Track & Casino on Thursday as the three Club horses prepare for their Circuit B season at The Horses At Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie in July and August.
For the second time in two weeks Club horse Why Frank hit the track and for the second time there was no win, place or show for the Kentucky-born 10-year-old.
On Thursday in an eight-horse field over seven furlongs Why Frank ended up fifth – 6 ¾ lengths behind winner Stockwatcher. On June 1 Why Frank was fourth in his first race in Edmonton.
On Thursday, Why Frank chased through the final turn within striking distance of the leaders, but then faded into the stretch. He had moved up to as close as fourth halfway through the race five lengths from the lead.
Jockey Prayven Badrie was on board, helping the Club earn $178 for the fifth place finish.
It was Why Frank’s eighth start of the season (six of them in Arizona including a fifth for the Club on April 22) and 78th of his career.
A couple of local owners had better luck.
Owner/trainer Tom Rycroft was second with Factored In while a horse co-owned by local chuckwagon driver Mitch Sutherland, called Maggie’s Day, was third.
The only local win on Thursday was a horse named Proud and Loud, trained by Tim Rycroft, in the sixth race of the day over 6 ½ furlongs.
On Sunday the Club looks to get back in the winner’s circle when Club horse My Samurai Warrior leaves the gates at 3:37 p.m. in a one mile race for a purse of $11,500. You can watch and bet on that race, at many others from around North America, at the Pines Restaurant & Casino. The Pines is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
The first time My Samurai Warrior stepped onto the track in Edmonton the 10-year-old Kentucky-born gelding was a winner, earning the Club $5,340 in a six furlongs battle against five other horses.
On Sunday he is again up against five other horses – with two local connections.
Local owner Jack Bolin has Empire Ruler entered in the race while owner/trainer Tom Rycroft is hoping Dare To Enter will finish first.
It will be My Samurai Warrior’s 54th start of his career and fourth of the season, with three of those in Arizona. He has won $237,670. Badrie is again in the saddle for the Club horse this weekend.
Local owners/trainers are entered in races both at Century Mile and at Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge this weekend.
To check out when they race visit the Equibase site here.
All the Century Mile and Lethbridge races will be shown on the screens at the Pines. There are two betting machines and programs available for all the tracks featured.
The Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 will be looking for two in a row when Why Frank steps onto the dirt at Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton on Thursday, June 13.
On June 2, the last time a Club horse hit the track in Edmonton, My Samurai Warrior crossed the line in front, giving the Club its first victo
ry.
Post time for Why Frank’s race is 7:47 p.m. and the 10-year-old Kentucky-born gelding is up against seven other horses in a seven furlongs race with a purse of $8,900. It’s a claiming race with a $5,000 value placed on the horses in the field.
There will be one familiar face at the gate when Why Frank leaves.
A horse named Spectrus was involved in Why Frank’s first-ever Canadian race in Edmonton on June 1.
Spectrus finished first in that mile-long run while Why Frank was fourth – 2 ¼ lengths back of Spectrus and 2 ¾ back of winner Boxer Boy.
Besides Why Frank, who leaves from Gate 6, there is some other local interest in the race.
Maggie’s Guy, out of Gate 4, is co-owned by local chuckwagon driver Mitch Sutherland and Factored In, from Gate 7, is owned and trained by Tom Rycroft.
The other Club horse, Mon Mousse, and My Samurai Warrior could get starts this weekend at Century Mile before moving to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park weekends July-August starting July 6.
MY SAMURAI WARRIOR GETS FIRST CLUB WIN
The start wasn’t so good, but it was the finish that was impressive Sunday afternoon at Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton.
Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horse My Samurai Warrior, starting out of the No. 6 gate, stumbled at the start of the six furlongs run and fell behind early in the six-horse field chasing a purse of $8,900 in the third race of the day.
That was the only mistake the 10-year-old Kentucky born gelding made.
After the stumble it was full-steam-ahead.
At the quarter-pole My Samurai Warrior, with jockey Prayven Badrie aboard, was in fourth place; halfway through the race moved to third; and at the start of the homestretch was third and then took off from there winning going away 3 ¼ lengths ahead of runner-up Pakal – owned by Darcy and Janet Hawkes of Grande Prairie.
It was the first win of the season for the Racing Club after a fourth (My Frank) and 11th (Mon Mousse) on Saturday at Century Mile as the Club horses made their Canadian debut.
The win earned the Club $5,340.
My Samurai Warrior finished the six furlongs in 1:11.38, which was just off the track record of 1:11.18 for the distance set by Beach Mode the day before.
All three Club horses are expected to race at least once more in Edmonton before being transported to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park. The two months of racing at Evergreen Park start on Saturday, July 6 and go weekends until August 25.
Memberships in the Club are still available during June. Anyone interested in sign up on the Evergreen Park website at www.evergreenpark.ca or by calling the Park office at 780-532-3279.
Well that was an interesting day for the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horses at Century Mile in Edmonton.
Club horse Why Frank kicked things off with a solid fourth in a mile trot Saturday afternoon in Race 6.
Not a bad showing on an A Circuit track for a horse who will race mostly for the Club at the B Circuit oval at The Horses At Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie July and August.
Mon Mousse was up next in Race 7 over six furlongs finishing 11th out of 12 horses.
It was the first time the two American-born steeds had run in Canada.
Why Frank’s fourth, with jockey Prayven Badrie on board, earned the Club $575 of the $11,500 purse. Boxer Boy finished first winning most of the money putting $6,900 into the jeans of owner Beckham Ranch.
Spectrus was second and Gunslinger, owned and trained by Grande Prairie’s Tom Rycroft, was third in the six-horse field.
Why Frank was unhurried early and failed to threaten in the end finishing well back of winner Boxer Boy.
Mon Mousse earned some oats for himself with $120 in winnings for second-last ending up 11 lengths behind eventual winner Beach Mode, who took home $4,500 of the $8,155 purse. Damario Bynoe was in the saddle for the Club horse in that race.
If it’s of any consolation, Mon Mousse was the best Grande Prairie-owned horse in the race. Keene On Demand, owned by Tom and Clint Rycroft and trained by Tom, finished behind Mon Mousse in 12th place.
The third Club horse, My Samurai Warrior, makes its Canadian debut at Century Mile today. He is out of the gate at 2:45 p.m. and will be looking for the biggest share of a $8,900 purse in a race over six furlongs.
Grande Prairie’s Darcy and Linda Hawkes also have a horse in that race – Pakal.
All three Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horses will make their Canadian debut this weekend at Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton.
First up are Why Frank and Mon Mousse on Saturday and then My Samurai Warrior on Sunday.
Why Frank, a 10-year-old gelding born in Kentucky, is involved in a one-mile race against six others for an $11,500 purse. It’s an $8,000 claiming race. It is Race 6 and post time is 4:15 p.m.
Jockey Payven Badrie will be aboard Why Frank. He has been in the saddle since 2011 with 821 starts and $1,001,806 in earnings.
Head trainer for the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horses this year will be Dale Greenwood. He started as a trainer in 1982 and has 6,550 starts and $8,639,057 in earnings.
Why Frank, out of gate No. 3, will be up against a pair of horses trained and owned by Grande Prairie’s Tom Rycroft – Gunslinger out of gate No. 5 and Dare To Enter leaving from No. 6.
The EP Club horse has had five starts this year, all in the U.S., with a second and two thirds. He has raced 75 times in his career with $250,993 in earnings.
Right after Why Frank leaves the track Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horse Mon Mousse will enter it in race No. 7 with a 4:45 p.m. post.
Mon Mousse is an eight-year-old California-born gelding with five starts (a second and third) this year and $135,946 in career earnings after 60 starts – 12 wins, 12 seconds and four third.
He is running over six furlongs for a purse of $7,500 in a $4,000 claiming race against 11 other horses. Jockey Damario Bynoe, who has won $1,361,080 in 1,191 starts since 2014, is aboard Mon Mousse on Saturday.
Mon Mousse leaves from gate No. 5 and again is up against a Tom Rycroft-trained horse named Keene On Demand, leaving from gate No. 1. Keene On Demand is co-owned by Tom and Clint Rycroft.
On Sunday it’s Club horse My Samurai Warrior’s turn.
It’s race three on the card with a 2:45 p.m. post time.
My Samurai Warrior is a 10-year-old gelding born in Kentucky who has had three starts this year with a second and a third and 52 in his career with $233,718 in earnings.
The race is over six furlongs with a purse of $8,900 and a claiming fee of $5,000.
Again there will be some local competition.
A horse trained by Darcy Hawkes and owned by Darcy and Janet Hawkes, called Pakal, leaves from gate No. 3 up against My Samurai Warrior out of gate No. 6 in the six-horse race.
There are also a number of local owners and trainers competing at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Calgary this Saturday and Sunday.
Club members are reminded they can watch, and bet on, all the races from Edmonton at the Pines Restaurant & Casino at Evergreen Park. It is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
Those former members who have not renewed for this year yet can do so by calling the Evergreen Park office at 780-532-3279 or going online at www.evergreenpark.ca
FIRST CENTURY MILE WIN GOES TO LOCAL
Dad had more wins, but the lad ended up with more money as local trainers/owners made their mark at the first-ever day of racing at Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton on Sunday.
Dad Tom Rycroft (photo right) will forever be able to say he won the first-ever race at the new facility, located south of the city of Edmonton near the International Airport.
In the opener his horse, Born In A Breeze, ran down the leader on the mile course, with jockey Rigo Sarmiento on board, and trotted off with top money of $15,000 in the $25,575 event run over 5 ½ furlongs.
Tom both trains and is part-owner, along with Dale Stark and Lewis Mailer, of Born In A Breeze.
The son, Tim Rycroft, can say the horse he trains, Trooper John, got a second in the first-ever race at Century Mile.
Trooper John, former winner of the Canadian Derby and Alberta Horse of the Year, had the lead coming home, but was run down by Born In A Breeze. Trooper John won $11,148 for his efforts for the ownership group from Riversedge Racing Stables.
Regal Max, who had won the Alberta Derby at The Horses At Evergreen Park last summer, was fifth in the six-horse field.
Tom and his group finished the day with two wins, a second and two sevenths taking home $25,074 while horses trained by Tim had a first, two seconds and two fourths and earned $26,058.
Tom’s other win came in the fourth race of the day – over five furlongs. In that one Unspoken Assassin finished first and put $5,160 into the pockets of the ownership group.
Tim’s lone win was in Race 8 when Stone Carver crossed the line first after five furlongs winning Riversedge $12,420.
Grande Prairie’s Darcy Hawkes was trainer of two horses for local owner Dianne Delaney on Sunday.
Mr. Pucci took a second in Race 8 winning $4,140 while Amy Jean was fifth in Race 7 and paid for some oats with $414 in earnings.
Grande Prairie’s Ed Welsh and his Deltin Stables group will be looking for better things later after their horse, Onetogo, was eighth in the ninth and last race of the day.
Attendance for the opener was 5,000 and the handle was $200,000.
Local race fans can start watching for the three Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horses – Why Frank, Mon Mousse and My Samurai Warrior – at Century Mile.
They will be on their way soon from Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona where they started the 2019 racing season.
The Club horses will train and race at Century Mile before moving to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park in July and August.
All races from Century Mile, and other tracks around North America, are available to watch on 12 screens at the Pines Restaurant & Casino at Evergreen Park. There are also betting machines and programs for all races are available.
On Saturday, May 4 the Pines is hosting a party for the Kentucky Derby. There will be cash and other prizes available on Derby Day. The Pines is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
The Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural & Exhibition Society has roots that stretch back to 1910 – four years before Grande Prairie became an official village.
Today the Society, which oversees the development and daily operations of Evergreen Park, continues to operate as a charitable non-profit . . . but there have been a few other changes.
Back in 1910, the first agricultural fair and rodeo was held in what is now downtown Grande Prairie at a location near where the current farmer’s market is located on 101 Ave. and 101 St.
It was an outdoor experience with displays of vegetables, canned goods and needlework and livestock events held nearby.
Over the years the “fairgrounds” moved to several locations - including a permanent race track and buildings on the city’s east side - and today the Society is proud to call Evergreen Park, and its 1,200 acres on the south side of Grande Prairie, home.
The move to the southern outskirts of the city took place in 1982. Since it first opened, Evergreen Park has featured what is considered one of the best horse racing facilities in western Canada including a large covered grandstand, barns, buildings and other amenities.
A full-service restaurant and a casino with 99 slot machines and VLTs - the Pines Restaurant & Casino - is part of the Gordon Badger Stadium complex that includes the grandstand overlooking the sand and loam JDA Raceway oval measuring 5/8th of a mile. A family restaurant was added in 2017.
Canadian Professional Rodeo Association competitors as well as World Professional Chuckwagon Association, Western Chuckwagon Association – behind the reins of thoroughbreds - and All Pro Canadian Chuckwagon pony drivers compete annually on the track during Stompede in the spring – usually late May into early June. The best cowboys from Canada and many from the U.S. and other countries take part in Stompede’s rodeo.
For two months in the summer – July and August – Horse Racing Alberta takes over the track weekends giving local bettors a chance to wager on their favorite jockey or horse at The Horses At Evergreen Park on JDA Raceway.
Evergreen Park has hosted prime ministers, RCMP Musical Rides, logger competitions, county fairs, forestry shows, petroleum shows, weddings, graduations, outdoor mo
vies, Special Olympics, archery competitions, agri-shows, volleyball tournaments, home shows, RV shows, sports expos, dog shows, wedding shows, roller derby, car shows, monster trucks, seminars, retreats, meetings, horse competitions, conventions, Nitro Circus, mud bogs, MMA fights, equestrian competitions, national conferences and many other shows, acts and events since the move south of the city.
With away from the “fairgrounds” east of the city came another change.
Evergreen Park, while certainly capable of hosting a “fair” of any size, became much, much more than a “fairground”. It is the largest multi-purpose, multi-facility and most-used major venue north of Edmonton.
With 500,000 visitors annually the road into Evergreen is well travelled year-round.
During the course of a year most city and county residents of greater Grande Prairie have taken in at least one “event” at the park whether it be Stompede, Festival of Trees, Wedding Show, outdoor skating rink or one of the many trade shows held on the grounds. During that same time thousands from around the Peace Country – which encompasses northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia – make the short trek to the Swan City to take advantage of Evergreen and what it has to offer.
In the winter the indoor horse stalls are usually full. It is the perfect venue to train or just pleasure ride on a daily basis in one of the two heated indoor arenas – the Drysdale Centre and Lewis Hawkes Pavilion. In November-December the Heavy Horse Pull Club’s Northern Spirit Light Show delights upwards of 40,000 annually.
Travellers from around North America stop by during May to October to take advantage of the Evergreen Campground – which features 76 spots, all equipped with electricity, water and a dumping station along with a general store and playground. It is just steps away from The Pines Restaurants, the casino, ball diamonds, archery centre and the TARA Centre and the many events held during the spring and summer at the Park.
The TARA Centre has helped turn Evergreen Park into the largest full featured exhibition facility north of Edmonton.
The TARA Centre was opened in 2008 and is 105,000 square feet. It features a 46,200 square-foot venue, called Evaskevich Hall, which has hosted concerts by the likes of Dwight Yoakam, Serena Ryder, Big Wreck, Hedley,
Blue Rodeo and Paul Brandt and is used for trade shows, graduations and other events where lots of room is needed. It also houses three 6,600 square foot salons (one of them named NuVista Energy Salon) and four meeting rooms in the 2,000 square foot range each.
There is also a huge foyer in the TARA Centre as well as administration offices for Evergreen Park staff.
Clarkson Hall is a 9,600-square-foot building that has been part of Evergreen since Day 1. It hosts weddings and other events for up to 500 people. It underwent a major renovation making it one of the best wedding/banquet facilities in the area. A rustic log building, the Oldtimer’s Cabin, is also available for use for groups of up to 50.
Evergreen Park also features an archery centre as well as an equestrian complex that includes permanent jumps and water hazards. The great expanse of Evergreen Park also allows competitive cross-country horse competitions to take place using the equestrian facility, the track and the picturesque trails through the spruce and pine trees throughout the park.
The Park features an indoor playground located in Badger Stadium that includes bouncy castles, tot spot and a private party area from October to April.
The Park is also home to the Centre For Resource Excellence and Innovation, which has won an award for its tree planting pilot project and the hosts Grande Prairie Minor Baseball Association and its 12 diamonds.
Located on the southern outskirts of the city of Grande Prairie - population 68,000 - Evergreen Park is just minutes away from hotels and shopping centres.
Evergreen Park – experience it!
t was minus-1 when the CLOSED sign came down at McGoverns RV & Marine Campground at Evergreen Park Wednesday morning.
Not exactly ideal camping weather, but for campground manager Mark Sather (photo) the most exciting time of the year.
He’s back in business for another camping season and will be on duty overseeing the facility until he puts the CLOSED sign back up at the e
nd of September.
The campground Sather maintains is nestled in the quiet and picturesque beauty of Evergreen Park on the outskirts of the City of Grande Prairie and is a great place for mid-week or weekend getaways as well as a place to stay while attending events at Evergreen Park. There are daily, weekly and monthly rates available.
There is always something going on at the Park campers can take in whether it is a rodeo or chuckwagon racing; concert, convention, trade show, MMA fights or pow wow in the TARA Centre; or baseball tournament, archery event, trail riding and running, live horse racing, trotting around one of the two indoor riding arenas ... or just enjoying a nature walk.
Campers, when they get tired of their own cooking or need some entertainment, can head over to the Pines Restaurant & Casino or Pines Family Restaurant. Along with 99 slot machines and VLTs, the casino also offers off-track horse racing with a dozen screens showing races from across North America. There is also live music on weekends at the Pines and often mid-week free-to-play slot tournaments.
Anyone holding a wedding at the Park can have up to 10 spots at the campground put on hold for their guests for the big day.
The campground offers free wi-fi, firewood, fire pits, safe and visible children's playground, very clean public washroom/shower and laundry facilities as well as a dumping station.
Daily rates are $35, weekly they are $200 and monthly $600.
For more information or to book a reservation contact Sather at 780-933-1464 or campgroundmanager@evergreenpark.ca or phone the Evergreen Park office at 780-532-3279.
Here are the features and amenities at the campground, which has over 70 camping spots:
- Full-service sites complete with power, water & sewer
- Free wi-fi
- 30-amp electrical service
- Clean public restrooms
- Modern/clean shower facilities no extra charge
- Laundry facilities
- Safe and visible playground area complete with modern equipment
- Picnic tables, fire pits & firewood
- Walking distance from The Pines Restaurant & Casino and Pines Family Restaurant
- Between two championship golf courses
- Archery range
- Walking/running path
- Horse trails
- Short drive to centre of city
- Best weekly and monthly rates (power included) in Grande Prairie area
Dad had more wins, but the lad ended up with more money as local trainers/owners made their mark at the first-ever day of racing at Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton on Sunday.
Dad Tom Rycroft (photo right) will forever be able to say he won the first-ever race at the new facility, located south of the city of Edmonton near the International Airport.
In the opener his horse, Born In A Breeze, ran down the leader on the mile course, with jockey Rigo Sarmiento on board, and trotted off with top money of $15,000 in the $25,575 event run over 5 ½ furlongs.
Tom both trains and is part-owner, along with Dale Stark and Lewis Mailer, of Born In A Breeze.
The son, Tim Rycroft, can say the horse he trains, Trooper John, got a second in the first-ever race at Century Mile.
Trooper John, former winner of the Canadian Derby and Alberta Horse of the Year, had the lead coming home, but was run down by Born In A Breeze. Trooper John won $11,148 for his efforts for the ownership group from Riversedge Racing Stables.
Regal Max, who had won the Alberta Derby at The Horses At Evergreen Park last summer, was fifth in the six-horse field.
Tom and his group finished the day with two wins, a second and two sevenths taking home $25,074 while horses trained by Tim had a first, two seconds and two fourths and earned $26,058.
Tom’s other win came in the fourth race of the day – over five furlongs. In that one Unspoken Assassin finished first and put $5,160 into the pockets of the ownership group.
Tim’s lone win was in Race 8 when Stone Carver crossed the line first after five furlongs winning Riversedge $12,420.
Grande Prairie’s Darcy Hawkes was trainer of two horses for local owner Dianne Delaney on Sunday.
Mr. Pucci took a second in Race 8 winning $4,140 while Amy Jean was fifth in Race 7 and paid for some oats with $414 in earnings.
Grande Prairie’s Ed Welsh and his Deltin Stables group will be looking for better things later after their horse, Onetogo, was eighth in the ninth and last race of the day.
Attendance for the opener was 5,000 and the handle was $200,000.
Local race fans can start watching for the three Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 horses – Why Frank, Mon Mousse and My Samurai Warrior – at Century Mile.
They will be on their way soon from Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona where they started the 2019 racing season.
The Club horses will train and race at Century Mile before moving to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park in July and August.
All races from Century Mile, and other tracks around North America, are available to watch on 12 screens at the Pines Restaurant & Casino at Evergreen Park. There are also betting machines and programs for all races are available.
On Saturday, May 4 the Pines is hosting a party for the Kentucky Derby. There will be cash and other prizes available on Derby Day. The Pines is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
There is definitely going to be Grande Prairie area flavour when the first-ever race day is held at the new Century Mile Race Track & Casino in Edmonton on Sunday.
Local trainers or owners are involved in eight of the nine races slated for the opener – led by the Rycroft family who have 11 horses entered in seven races.
Tim Rycroft (photo right) and his father, Tom, have horses in the first-ever race. It’s a 5 ½ furlongs run for three-year-olds and up that leaves the gates at 1:45 p.m. with a $25,000 purse.
Tim is trainer for Trooper John, which is a former Alberta Horse of the Year and winner of the Canadian Derby in 2017. He trains for Riversedge Racing Stables.
Tom is owner of Born In A Breeze, along with Dale Stark and Lewis Mailer - a seven-year-old that has won over $300,000 in its racing career.
In Race 3, with a 2:45 p.m. start time, Tom is trainer of a horse called Trial By Nite (belonging to the same ownership group). That race has $19,000 available and is over five furlongs.
Tom’s group, with him as trainer, have a horse entered in Race 4 – which goes at 3:15 p.m. It is called Unspoken Assassin and will be looking at a share of the $7,000 in purse money after five furlongs.
Riversedge Racing, with Tim as trainer of Princess Robbi, will be hoping she can take most of the $19,000 purse in a five furlongs battle for maidens/fillies in Race 5 at 3:45 p.m.
Tim is trainer for C and H Duggan Farms Ltd. and their horse Texas Alley Kat in Race 6 at 4:15 p.m. while Tom, as trainer, and his ownership group will watch Moon Blossom go off in the same race, which offers a $7,500 purse and is five furlongs.
Dianne Delaney of Grande Prairie is owner of a horse called Amy Jean, trained by Grande Prairie’s Darcy Hawkes, entered in Race 7 at 4:45 p.m. Tim trains Riversedge horse Cry Uncle in that race, which is five furlongs for a purse of $20,700.
Four of the seven horses entered in Race 8 at 5:15 p.m. have Grande Prairie ties.
Hawkes is trainer for Mr. Pucci, owned by Delaney; Tom and his group have Sand Harbor; and Tim has two horses he looks after for Riversedge – Stone Carver and Gem Alta – in that battle for $20,700 over five furlongs.
Local race fans may recall Gem Alta from The Horses At Evergreen Park Alberta Derby last summer. Gem Alta was third at the Derby at J.D.A. Raceway.
Grande Prairie’s Ed Welsh and his Deltin Stables group finish up the local flavour in the last race of the day at 5:45 p.m. Onetogo is the horse, trained by E.J. Keller, chasing part of the $9,200 purse over five furlongs.
Onetogo, a three-year-old, had five starts last year winning $9,555 with a first, two seconds and a third.
Beyond the trainers and owners there is more Grande Prairie influence at Century Mile.
Jamie Blackwell, who worked up in the booth during The Horses At Evergreen Park for many years and also looked after the Evergreen Horses Facebook page and You Tube race replays, is now working at Century Mile.
The three horses owned by the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 – Why Frank, My Sumurai Warrior and Mon Mousse – will be shipped to Century Mile from Turf Paradise in Arizona early next month and will compete and train there until The Horses At Evergreen Park, which goes July and August.
Anyone interested in watching, and betting on, the races from the first day at Century Mile can do so at The Pines Restaurant & Casino at Evergreen Park. All of the races will be shown on the Pines screens. There are two betting machines and a program printer at the facility, which is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
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Now the pressure is on My Samurai Warrior!
On Monday the first horse up for the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 was Why Frank.
He finished in fifth place in a 7 ½ furlong race at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona.
On Tuesday, the second Club horse, an eight-year-old named Mon Mousse, improved on that placing with a third in a 1 1/16 mile race at the same venue – but on the dirt track and not grass like Why Frank raced on.
My Samurai Warrior will be the last Club horse to get a start and Club members are no doubt hoping he’ll continue the improvement. His first start for the Club is pending.
On Tuesday, at least for most of the race, Mon Mousse looked like he might be a winner. He led at the ¼, ½ and ¾ poles setting the pace, but yielded in the drive to the finish line finishing behind winner Jack Mormon (who was claimed after the race) and runner-up Durtdobber, who were neck-and-neck at the end. Mon Mousse was 3 ¾ back.
Jockey David Lopez, who was on Why Frank Monday, was aboard the Club horse, which earned $679 for the show position. Race purse was $7,000.
The race can be viewed here: http://www.turfparadise.com/race-replays--live-video.html It is Race 7 on April 23.
There were eight horses in the field and, besides winner Jack Mormon, two others were claimed – Cedar Rapids and Toccet’s Charm.
Their Turf Paradise experience is likely now over for both Why Frank and Mon Mousse. They, along with My Samurai Warrior, will be shipped to Alberta in early-May and will train and compete at the new Century Mile track in Edmonton until the end of June before moving to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park July and August.
The Club is taking memberships. Interested “owners” can sign up through the Evergreen Park website at www.evergreenpark.ca (go to Online Tickets at top of page) or phone the Park office at 780-532-3279 for information on how to join.
Evergreen Park is one of just a handful of venues in Alberta that offers both off-track and live horse racing. There are a dozen screens in the Pines Restaurant & Casino to watch racing from tracks around North America and elsewhere, two betting machines and a program printer. The Pines is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily and offers 99 slot machines and VLTs as well as chef-inspired meals.
Evergreen Park is located on the south end of the city of Grande Prairie just off of Resources Road and Hwy. 668.
The first race for the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 is in the books.
Club horse Why Frank finished fifth in an eight-horse race at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday afternoon.
The race was over 7 1/2 furlongs and Why Frank spent most of the race mid-pack and was five wide coming down the stretch, but couldn't put a rally together to catch eventual winner Bourque. A horse named Elwood was second, Tyler's Tek third and Temple Keys fourth.
Jockey David Lopez was aboard Why Frank helping the Club earn $276. The purse was $9,500.
Monday's race was likely the last in Arizona for Why Frank, who is expected to be transported to Alberta in early-May to compete at Century Mile in Edmonton in May and June.
The Evergreen Club has two other horses stabled at the track at Turf Paradise.
Mon Mousse hits the track on Tuesday at 5:13 p.m. in Race 7 for a purse of $7,000. The race, which includes seven other horses, is over 1 1/16 miles.
The third Club horse, My Sumurai Warrior, may, or may not, get a start in before joining Mon Mousse and My Frank for the trek north.
After training and racing in Edmonton the three Club horses will venture to Grande Prairie for The Horses At Evergreen Park in July and August.
Anyone who hasn't purchased their Club membership online at www.evergreenpark.ca or phone the Evergreen Park office Monday to Friday at 780-532-3279 for information on how to sign up.
The Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 stable of horses is filling up.
Why Frank, Mu Samurai Warrior and Mon Mousse will be flying the Club’s colors as the horses finish up their time in Arizona.
The trio was purchased by Club manager Norm Tremblay last week.
“The plan is to race them once more in Phoenix, ship them to Edmonton in early May and then have them ready for The Horses At Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie in July and August,” said Tremblay.
All three are stabled at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona and two of them will be racing there next week.
Why Frank has collected the most in purse money of the three ($250,993) with 12 wins, 19 seconds and 17 thirds in 75 races since first hitting the track in 2012.
Its best year was 2016 with $40,925 in earnings and an average of $5,846 per start after seven starts.
Why Frank has raced five times this year with a second, two thirds, a fourth and a fifth in five races with $4,757 in earnings.
He was foaled on April 29, 2009 in Kentucky and has competed in some prestigious races including the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile (third place) and Luke Kruytbosch Stakes (second). All but one of Why Frank’s races have been at either Turf Paradise or Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
My Samurai Warrior, foaled in Kentucky on March 14, 2009, has run to $233,718 in earnings since its first race in 2012. In 52 starts he has nine wins, five seconds and six thirds including a second and a third in two races this year and $2,628 in purse money.
Its best year was in 2014 with $53,970 in winnings after a first and third in nine starts.
My Samurai Warrior has competed on quite a few American tracks with starts at Turf Paradise; Canterbury; Oaklawn Park (Arkansas) Del Mar, Santa Anita, Betfair, Golden Gate and Fairplex in California.
Mon Mousse was foaled in California on April 26, 2011 and has $135,946 in earnings after 60 races since starting on the track in 2013.
Five of those starts came this year with s second and a third and $2,829 in earnings.
The horse had a big year in 2016 earning $52,240 after five wins, four seconds and a third in 14 races.
Turf Paradise has been Mon Mousse’s home for most of the last two years, but the horse has also raced at Golden Gate, Los Alamitos, Sacramento, Santa Anita, Fresno, Santa Rosa, Oak Tree and Stockton in California.
Club members will get to cheer on, and place bets on, two of the horses next week as they appear on the screens at the Pines Restaurant & Casino from Turf Paradise.
On Monday in race No. 8 (5:44 p.m. GP start time) Why Frank leaves the gate against eight other horses in a 7 ½ furlong battle for a purse of $9,500.
On Tuesday it’s Mon Mousse’s turn against seven other horses in a 1 1/16 mile run for a purse of $7,000. That race, No. 7 on the schedule, starts at 5:13 p.m. Grande Prairie time.
The Pines Restaurant & Casino, located at Evergreen Park, is open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. It features a dozen screens showing live horse racing, two betting machines and a program printer.
Memberships in the Evergreen Park Racing Club 2019 are just $250 and can be obtained online at www.evergreenpark.ca Information on the Club is available by calling 780-532-3279.
This is the third year for the Club. In its initial year members got to visit the winner’s circle four times and last year three times.
Members hoping to get a live look at their horses before The Horses At Evergreen Park can do so by travelling to Edmonton where the new Century Mile track will be opening near the Edmonton Airport on April 28.
Sky Promise had some big wins in 2018 and is looking to pull off another one in Toronto on April 18.
The Kentucky-born thoroughbred, now four years old, is a finalist for the top 2018 three-year-old award at the Jockey Club of Canada Sovereign Awards.
Grande Prairie’s Norm Tremblay, who is manager of the Evergreen Park Racing Club, is co-owner of Sky Promise along with Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest and R6 Stable.
Sky Promise had an amazing year in 2018 winning the Manitoba Derby followed by the Canadian Derby and then the B.C. Derby.
From those three races alone Sky Promise earned Tremblay and his co-owners $248,400. In two years of racing Sky Promise, who has yet to run in 2019, has put $289,439 into the jeans of the owners.
Sky Promise has a record of four wins, three seconds and three thirds after 19 stars – 10 of those in 2018.
Neepawa and Lookin To Strike are his competition on April 18.
Neepawa, born in Ontario, won just twice in 2018, but one of those was a biggie – the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto worth $240,000 for the win.
Chiefswood Stables owns Neepawa and has seen the horse collect $294,863 over its career along with two wins, a second and a third in 12 starts over two years of racing.
Looking To Strike, also Kentucky-born, has the most wins (five in 11 starts over two years) of the three, but has earned the least amount of money at $196,394. Its biggest win was in 2018 at Woodbine with $75,000 collected for a victory at the Ontario Derby.
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as an international representative of the Canadian thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain a high standard for thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport.
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