GREAT START TO THE HORSES AT EVERGREEN
A perfect day for racing at the opener of The Horses At Evergreen Park at J.D.A. Raceway on Sunday.
Close races, two of them feature events, as well as lots of betting, a nice crowd, free hot dogs and amazing weather.
The feature races were the Alberta Community Thoroughbred Racing Association (ACTRA) Stakes For Fillies and Mares and the Stakes For Colts and Geldings.
The River Grey (photo left), owned and trained by Garry Marks, was the runaway winner in the ladies’ event.
She finished over seven lengths ahead of runner-up Skips Rock and took home $10,107 of the $13,70 purse.
The boys’ ACTRA race, as were most of the seven on the day, was much closer.
Boeser (photo right), owned and trained by Elly Rutherford, edged Bare Back Jack by a neck to win the same amount as The River Grey with the same purse available.
Jockey Trevor Simpson was in the saddle for both wins. Both races were six furlongs.
While it was great to have some close races on the first day, what likely made Racing Manager Pat Hill the happiest was the handle.
A total of $125,943 was bet on the day including $31,000 on the final race.
It was one of the larger crowds for an opener and they brought their wallets!
The weather was perfect – sunshine mixed with a bit of overcast and a comfortable plus-20.
And the 500 free hot dogs cooked on the J.D.A. barbecue? They were gobbled up!
The Horses continue next weekend and go every Saturday and Sunday, and Monday, August 4, until August 24. First post is 1:15 p.m. and admission is always free.
EVERGREEN PARK RACING CLUB
Here's your chance to become a horse owner!
The Evergreen Park Racing Club is back for 2025 and looking for interested individuals to join.
For just $300 you can become a horse owner and enjoy the thrills of watching "your" horses compete on tracks in Grande Prairie and Lethbridge.
The Club horses, which usually start the season at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge in May and June will be at The Horses At Evergreen Park in July and August.
Again this year the Club trainer is Kathy McNally.
Anyone interested in joining the Club can sign up here: https://evergreenpark.ticketspice.com/evergreen-park-racing-club-2025