I am asked to write this monthly column so far in advance that I am sitting here very excited and wishing for a lot of answers! Did Brent MacGrath stick to his guns and bypass the Jug? Did Somebeachsomewhere and Art Official hook up in the same race in Lexington? Was there an all-time world pacing record? Is Deweycheatumnhowe still undefeated? This isn't fair! All of you know all the answers. I wish I had a crystal ball.
But if you were looking for some of those answers, I’ll bet you went to the new and improved SC website that was released early last month. As with all things in life, sometimes we don't like change and there may be some wrinkles to iron out, but at first glance, it looks great. We'd like to know what you think about it!
I have yet another question. Was the first race at Woodbine delayed on the paddock's opening night? From what I understand, the new 62,000 sq ft facility (featured on pg. 18) is just beautiful. I wouldn't be surprised if the horses never wanted to leave it.
Kathy Wade Vlaar and Darryl Kaplan report that SWAP (the Standardbred Wagering Action Plan) is still going full steam ahead. They'd both hoped to report more by now but some of the key committee members hail from Alberta and Quebec -- obviously those members have their hands full in their own provinces. The research committee seems to have the most momentum right now and we'll probably hear from them first.
Three items hit my desk on the same day with regards to whipping. Pompano Park in Florida announced they will be the first track in North America to enforce the rule that drivers will not be allowed to put the reins in one hand in order to strike a horse with a whip at any time during a race. The Hambletonian Society has asked the USTA to amend their rule book accordingly, and SC was invited by the Ontario Racing Commission to send a member to their review committee meeting on September 9th. I hope North America can put this issue to bed, then get together and work on the implementation of zero tolerance for drugs in horse racing.
October is a very busy month for the SC management team. They are working on the development of a plan that would present a 'balanced' budget for fiscal 2009, as well as a three-year financial plan, for the Board to approve at its November meeting.
I would like to send out congratulations to three individuals this month. First goes to Dawn Lupul on joining the HorsePlayer Interactive (HPI) broadcast team. Dawn has worked on numerous telecasts over the years in Alberta and Ontario. She has mastered the ability to do interviews with industry participants and provide comments to the uneducated viewer. Way to go Dawn!
Secondly, we have all read different stories about the corporate success Scott Horner has experienced in the legal profession, but Horner (the standardbred trainer), recently had his first win with My Time Hanover. Well done!
And finally, how about Leo Burns? At age 93. Burns drove Winsome Wyoming to victory at the Duquoin State Fair!
Until next month…
Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Halloween!
A monthly newsletter from Standardbred Canada’s Chair of the Board of Directors.