History & Tradition

Alberta Fall Classic Round Up

The September 27th running of the inaugural Alberta Fall Classic Day took place on a somewhat blustery fall day at Northlands Park in Edmonton. The ten race card featured seven stakes races for Alberta breds with the purses totaling over $300.000. The awards presented to the winning connections were provided courtesy of Don and Sue Danard·s, Danard & Company Livestock Ltd.

The first stake was the Sturgeon River. a Scale-weight for two year old fillies, going a mile for $35,000. The race was won by Bob Giffin 's Pick's Change, trained by Bruce Phelan, a daughter of Prospector's Pick - Hidden Lover, extending her record to 3 wins in 5 starts. She was ridden by Ron Blinston. Second was One Liner, owned by L. Chilton, T. Lloyd. Red Ron Farms and P & R Rolfe. Picking up third was Two Penny Slew f Reid Racing Stable.

The next- race on the card was the Alberta Premier's Futurity, a Scale-weight for two year old males going a flat mile for a purse of $35,000. The hotly contested· battle was won by Highland Leader, a chestnut gelding from Mr. Leader - Stage Maid from the Dale Saunder's barn and owned by E. Hilton, M & P Equipment Inc. and Met Set Consulting Ltd. and ridden by Peny Winters. Second was Shady Remark, owned by Bill Chapman and also trained by Dale Saunders. Third was Bus Ruckus, owned by Esquire Stables.

Next on the agenda was a 6 1/2 furlong $35,000 Handicap Stakes called the Red Diamond Express for Three Year Olds and upward. Attaining his sixth win of the year was Timboruck, a four year old gelding from Highland Ruckus - Timber Valley, owned by Glen Fisher, trained by Doug

Smith and ridden to victory by Scott Dahl. Second was Chow and Oppelt's Klassy Kliff and rounding out the top three was Roll On Albion from Avalon Stable.

The next race was The Alberta Oaks, for 3 year old fillies going a mile for a guaranteed purse of $35,000. The daughter of Synastry - Secret Teller named Synful Secret was the victor, notching her fourth win of the year for owner Lianne Knechtel and Gord Lovatt, trained by Lianne and ridden by Chris McGregor. Two Eleven, owned by Ira Donald and D & K Kachur finished second and Kool Tycoon from Empire Meadows was third.

The Beaufort, for 3 year old.colts and geldings going 1 1/16 miles followed. The late running South Side picked up the win for owners Muriel McGuire and R.A. McKenzie, trained by McKenzie and ridden by Yves Turcotte. Music Jamboree was second for owner Tony Perlich and Parose garnered third for Empire Meadows.

The Fall Classic Distaff, a Handicap for 3 and up fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles was wired by Late Nite Martini notching her seventh win of the year for Tom and Gail Payne's TG Stable. trained by Floyd Arthur and ridden by Perry Winters. Running second was Aunita Dream Girl from Derby Stable and D & K Ladouceur and rounding out third was Wise Diamond for Nick Sperling.

The Alberta' Breeder's Handicap was the final major stake. The Handicap for three year old and upwards going 1 1/16 mile for $35,000 guaranteed, drew a field of six.

Two Ticky proved to be capable for the task for Jay Kay Stable. trained by R. Smith and piloted by Jaime Santos. Winborn Max, owned by J & M Normand was second and Play the Zone rallied for third for TG Stable.

The day was complimented by a well attended breakfast which included a handicapping seminar by author James Quinn and a parade of and presentation to Arctic Laur, the leading Albertabred money earner of all time, owned by D.K. Robins.

The day was well attended and considered a success by all.