HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS (and your pets) – whew the wind warnings are gone, still more rain to come this week but southern Ontario escaped the wrath of Sandy..now for horse racing’s next storm…the OMAFRA REPORT..

 

PHOTO – NANCY O at Santa Anita, go go!!

courtesy Arravale Racing

 

 

 

NEWS ALERT! – From STANDARDBRED CANADA…..

According to an independent news source, Queen’s Park Briefing, the long-awaited OMAFRA Panel Report will be released to the public on Tuesday, October 30. “The report will outline a long-term vision for a sustainable and thriving industry once the Slots-at-Racetracks Program is phased out at the end of March 2013.”

The report, which was crafted by panelists Elmer Buchanan, John Snobelen and John Wilkinson, will apparently detail a “modern but leaner horse racing industry that can continue to thrive.” As for the funding model, Queen’s Park Briefing indicates that the panel is not suggesting any specific amount of additional government funding beyond the original $50 million offered up by the province, and instead “will lay a path for future provincial support.”

Sources have told Queen’s Park Briefing that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation may have a role to play in that funding – “one that could include partnerships between tracks and new casinos.” It says the OLG is in negotiations with several tracks and the results of those talks could have an effect on the province’s role.”

read more at Standardbred Canada, THOROUGHBLOG is standing by…

 

Glenn Harvey and Steven Duffield from Ontario co-own TARA FROM THE CAPE, a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile filly hopeful

photo from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

 

 

 

 

 

BREEDERS’ CUP ENTRIES ARE DRAWN!

18 CANADIAN OWNED or BRED HORSES are in the entries for the Friday and Saturday Breeders’ Cup extravaganza that will bring championships titles to many horses with big efforts.
The ones most familiar to WOODBINE fans will be TARA FROM THE CAPE, NANCY O, SPRING VENTURE, SPRING IN THE AIR, DYNAMIC SKY, DELEGATION, MARKETING MIX and POOL PLAY.

This group is a solid  team and it’s possible that a win can come from at least one of these.

CANADIAN ENTRANTS AND ODDS

 

BREEDERS’ CUP MARATHON

10-1 COMMANDER – North American Th Horse Company /Troy Taylor – British Columbia’s  latest monster horse!

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. FILLY TURF

10 – 1  TARA FROM THE CAPE – Glenn Harvey/Steven Duffield co-owner this sneaky good one

30 – 1 NANCY O – Bob Costigan-Carolyn Costigan Borders Racing

6- 1 SPRING VENTURE – Woodbine based, Mark Casse

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

10-1 SPRING IN THE AIR _ Canadian bred, Mark Casse trained

 

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

5 – 1 MARKETING MIX – Canadian bred Sean Fitzhenry, best BC chance for Can bred?

 

BREEDERS’ CUP LADIES CLASSIC

4 – 1 AWESOME FEATHER – Stronach Stables

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. TURF

12 – 1 KNOW MORE – Paul Reddam owner

 

BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE

15- 1 DELEGATION – Woodbine, Mark Casse

4 – 1 JERSEY TOWN Charles Fipke owned

30-1 SECOND CITY – Reddam owns

 

BREEDERS’CUP TURF SPRINT

6- 1 BRIDGETOWN – Eugene Melnyk

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE

12-1 DYNAMIC SKY – Canadian bred, Woodbine – Mark Casse

20-1 HE’S HAD ENOUGH Reddam-owned

 

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF

20-1 COGITO Paul Reddam

 

BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT

50-1 BOXEUR DES RUES Reddam-owned

 

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

20-1 HANDSOME MIKE – Reddam-owned

30-1 POOL PLAY – Canadian-bred, Woodbine Mark Casse

 

AWESOME AGAIN’S SON GAME ON DUDE IS THE CLASSIC FAVOURITE

Queen’s Plate winner AWESOME AGAIN is known as a world class stallion and his superstar son GAME ON DUDE is the favourite for the BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC on Saturday….

Associated Press

Game On Dude was made the early 9-5 favorite in a field of 12 for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race he led most of the way last year before being overtaken in the closing strides. This time, he’ll have home-field advantage running at Santa Anita, where the 5-year-old gelding is 5-0.

He will try to deliver a first-time victory in the Classic for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who holds a strong hand heading into the two-day, $25-million world championships. Baffert has finished second twice, including last year.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/game-on-dude-made-early-favorite-for-breeders-cup/article4752498/

 

FORT ERIE CLOSES RACING FOR 2012,  a day early

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, poor FORT ERIE  racetrack went out with a whimper for 2012, ending its season a day early, yesterday, in a sea of slop.

KRZ EXECUTIVE won the finale, a full sister to millionaire KRZ RUCKUS, for Sylon Stables and partners. Will she become a trivia answer as the last winner at the 115-year track?

The track stays open for simulcasting until Dec. 31..rumours continue to buzz about a possible purchaser but that sure does not look to be a strong buzz right now.

Final turn at the Fort?

Dave Landry photo