Mando Fun looks to repeat
Improvements needed in post parades
The Standardbred pacers are back for a 12-race presentation at Red Shores Summerside on Sunday at 1 p.m. Feature
Mando Fun will look to repeat. Dale Spence sent the Paul Biggar-trainee right down the road last week to win by three lengths, and only had to pace in 1:59.
Narragan set and the Blue Knight, Jason Hughes, gets the second call in the morning line. This combination pulled off a “shocker” winning last Saturday night’s top class in Charlottetown as the longest shot on the infield tote board. Machinthesand rounds out the top three selections in the race program. The Hughie Murphy pupil is winless on the season, but has been knocking on the door. The 1:55.1 winner from a year ago in Summerside has five top-three finishes from six starts.
Epidemic
Post parades have been happening since racing began 250 years ago, and to say the least both Summerside and Charlottetown needs improvement. Let’s remember the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission controls the entire card on every race night. Has anyone ever been fined in the post parade warming up? The answer would be yes. However, the inconsistency when dealing with the matter is just plain ridiculous. There is now a new epidemic regarding the post parade – a large number of horses (and it grows every program) that don’t want to parade in program order, and make this decision on their own without consultation with the commission.
On the other hand, the participants are telling the commission what to do. Recently, a connection to an 11-year-old horse that has paraded in order every year told the commission he was going to parade last, and without question did. Professional?
I don’t think so! There’s that old saying don’t fix it if it isn’t broke. Well, this is broke and needs fixing. It’s escaped everyone’s memory why we parade in the first place, and if everyone is just going to have a free for all when parading it makes it a nightmare for production and myself.
Right from Day 1 I’ve been taught presentation is in the quality in what you must always excel at in this business.
Flashback
I had the great opportunity to sit with the legendary Ingham Palmer, the harness racing
voice of Saint John, on many occasions when I was young. On this one particular day the general manager/race secretary Doug Caldwell was in the judges’ stand, and he ran a tight ship at Exhibition Park.
Mr. Caldwell was a suit-and tie guy at all times, commanded respect and got it from everyone. So I’m with Mr. Palmer and overhearing a conversation with Mr. Caldwell and the judges talking about the subject I just writing about. I can remember like it was yesterday, and Mr. Caldwell said well if whomever the individual was wanted to parade at the back, then we have a Post 8 here in Saint John, and maybe this person would like to be No. 8 each week. Food for thought!
Maritime Breeders
The prestigious Maritime Breeders eliminations go in Charlottetown on Saturday. The three-year-old pacing colts and fillies will square off for a position in next week’s final.
Electra Express looks like the dominant filly off back-to-back 1:56-and-change victories. On the colt side, Ashes To Ashes, off his 1:55.2 victory, looks poised to challenge Island Energetic.
I share partnership with Southfield Farms, on Southfield Sue in the first filly elimination. She’ll be a 100-to-1 by the time all the money is wagered, but it’s a thrill to be in this event. Colossal upsets have happened before!
Good luck to all.