ABC Showcased the Best – Classic Sale Disappointing
Horsetalk
By
Hal Hennessey
One hundred and thirty three thousand dollars was on the line in purses
when the Atlantic Breeders Crown took over the “Charlottetown Driving
Park” last Sunday afternoon. Weather was super for the event after
Saturday’s downpour and the racing was great. Thumbs up to all involved.
Kenny Arseneault was top driver for the day scoring 3 wins, including the
Ingham Palmer Memorial jr. free-for-all. Fred Lamont’s Outlawpositvcharg
won the Thanksgiving invite for trainer/driver Terry Gallant in 1:56.1, Abby
Best was second and a very game Astronomical third. As we told you would
happen a while back, this was Astro’s last race and we were fortunate to be
able to watch it. Mr. Lamont says the Outlaw is on his way to Ontario so it’ll
be interesting to watch his progress there. Finally the Cornwall Lion’s Club
Distaff Pace was won by Olivia Hall in 1:58.2. Owner/trainer/driver Ronnie
Matheson drove for himself and partner Tom Clark.
----------------------------------You know I don’t usually do a lot of who won- who lost kind of thing here,
mostly because everybody else does. But hey – this is the Breeders Crown,
the best of Atlantic Canada and these guys deserve some ink.
ATLANTIC BREEDERS CROWNS – Winners, Owners & Drivers
2 YO Trot
Scarlet Patti, 2:05.3, Gordon MacLean –Darryl MacLean
3 YO Trot
Grayland Bling, 2:02.4, Paul Gray – Danny Romo
2 YO Filly Pace
Meridian Magic, 1:59, Barry Martin-James Gillis – Kenny Arseneault
2 YO Colt Pace
Allbentouttashape, 1:57.4, Dooley Boys Racing Stable – Kenny Arseneault
3 YO Filly Pace
R Es Mary, 1:58.3, Peter Smith, Don Smith, Gerald Morrissey, Larry
Chappell – Earl Smith
3 YO Colt Pace
War Dancer, 1:56.3, Daniel R Ross, Boyd Macdonald, Charles Seymour –
Gary Chappell
One last comment – I was really pleased to see driver Gary Chappell and
trainer Stacey Lund get a chance to show what they could do, when War
Dancer came to their barn. They work hard and now they have a Breeder’s
Crown to show for it. Way to go guys!
-------------------------Some ABC Notes:
The Ingham Palmer Memorial Sunday was won appropriately enough, by
the BM Stable of New Brunswick’s Yankee Sun. He was driven by his PEI
driver/trainer Kenny Arseneault. The two provinces were where Ing the
King launched and made his career. For almost half a century he was
recognised as the voice of Maritime Racing and it’s greatest promoter. Saw
my friend Jamie Palmer at the presentation ceremonies for the Yankee Sun
connections and I want to congratulate him and the whole of the Palmer clan
– very nice indeed.
----------------------------------Great to see the Don MacNeil Memorial raced on Saturday and Don’s family
on hand. The race was won by Emblem Seelster. Don was an excellent
trainer/driver in his day and competed with the best. In fact Wally MacInnis
recently reminded me that he started out with Don and they raced all over
the US and Canada. Many will remember the star of the stable in those days
was Midnight Bold.
--------------------nd
2 race on Sunday’s program was the MacPhee Family Memorial, won by
Gilles Barrieau with Funonastar. I want to extend my personal best wishes to
Alex and Brian MacPhee and family on being honoured this past week-end
by the ABC committee. I knew Ritchie Sr. Alex and Angus very well way
back in the day. The MacPhee family has contributed greatly to PEI Harness
Racing over the years and the recognition is well-deserved. Tip o’the whip
to the other families honoured as well, the Davis’s of NS, Goodines from
NB and Newfoundland’s Oliver family.
-----------------------The Breeders Crown folks didn’t forget the younger generation on the
weekend. Ian Smith’s Fida Enterprises sponsored a Young Driver’s
Challenge as part of the activities. Darla MacEachearn won the ladies
division with Chester The Name. Tyler Moore took the men’s with Winbak
Poker. All participants did a fine job. Kudos to them and to Ian Smith for
his support.
---------------------------------
Speaking of young drivers, I’ve been watching a potential PEI rising star all
summer. Cory MacPherson had a couple of nice wins on Saturday’s card.
Dusty Lane Shelby trotted home for him handily in 2:04.3 and he also took a
Crown Consolation with Oceanview Connie in 2:02.1.
I also wanted to mention another youngster Brad Smith, who garnered his
first win on the same card. Reined his own Powerful Art home first in
2:04.2. Keep on trucking guys.
--------------------------------Last Friday in Crapaud, the 2009 edition of the Atlantic Classic Colt Sale
opened with the bang of the auctioneer’s gavel. When the dust settled 113
yearlings had come into the ring – 7 others were withdrawn. Charlottetown’s
Pat Morris had the ‘honour’ of paying the highest price of the day, when he
bought Modernist for $14,000. The Modern Art colt was consigned by
Meridien Farms. While not quite as bad as the previous 2 years, the sale was
still a bit of a blood bath. The total for the day was $357,250 for an average
of $3161.50. So I see no reason to revise my Horsetalk opinion of 2008:
‘119 colts were on offer and the average price was $3,426, down about
$800 from 2007’s $4200. Why? I believe you have to look first to the Sale
Committee. It’s no secret, and I’ve said it in person to some of them, this
is not a select sale.’
I was a salesman for a long time and know what makes a successful deal; a
quality product, good marketing and win - win. In the sales ring that’s the 3
Ps: Pedigree, Presentation, Profitability. In other words (1) breeding, (2) the
colt/filly has to look the part, (3) buyer and seller both benefit. If any of
these elements are missing, then what the hell is the horse doing in the sale?
Once again, I think the Atlantic Classic Committee has failed to make the
tough selection decisions that guarantee a successful sale.
-------------------------------There were at least two high–priced colts withdrawn from the sale. Sudden
Paradise was supposedly sold for $25,000 and Click On It for $20K. And
yes the buyers names are in the rumour mill, but not confirmed at press time.
Haven’t had a chance to go over all the sales results as yet - it was a busy
weekend, so we’ll go into more details next column.
---------------------------------------------------Kings Co. Winners & Owners
Thurs. CDP
2:05.2 Xexy, 2:05.2, Peter Lanigan
Jdf, 2:06.1, Kathy Furness
Beckys Filly, 2:04, Clifton J Gardiner-Betty Higgins
Sat. CDP ABC Consolations
2 YO
Filly -Oceanview Connie, 2:02.1, William Roloson
Colt - Fitelle, 2:02.3, Peter Lanigan
3 YO
Filly - N Xample Deal, 2:02, Molly A Murphy
Colt – Kingofthecastle, 2:00, Kyle & Joseph P Gardine
----------------------------Final, final
Robert Shepherd joined the 1000 win club recently. Coming off a bad injury
in ‘08’, he’s had 118 victories this year and has earned $1 million in purses
to date.
And Mike MacNeil garnered his first win at Yonkers Raceway last week,
after his recent move to the US from Sudbury. Congrats Mike, I know dad
Don and step-mom Ann are pretty proud.
---------------------------That’s it – that’s all. Good luck and good racing.
Questions/Comments? hal.al@sympatico.ca