Excitement in the air for second-last weekend of RMTC Spring Meet

Some of the big boys and girls are coming out to race this weekend at Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

Today’s feature race is the RMTC Open Stakes race going seven furlongs in distance.

The horse withmore wins in America last year, Cantchaco, owned and trained by Jacqueline Smith, will be running as the morning line favourite in this race. Laurie Ferguson is countering with, Cable Jett, a horse her owners picked up in Phoenix this winter and shows a lot of promise. Also contesting will be, Unstoppable Colby, trained by Mankumar Mohindee. This will undoubtedly be a tremendous race to watch.

The quarter horse folks take centre stage on Sunday with two stakes races. The first is the Old Timers Classic, with a distance of 400 yards. Toughie, trained by William Leech is the morning-line favourite, while Tom Kenway has high hopes for Honor the FastMan, and Janice Sather will be sending out the always tough, Cruisinfourabruisin. One thing for sure, you know there will be tremendous speed in this race.

Later on Sunday, The All Canadian Derby is running with a distance of 350 yards. Renowned quarter horse trainer Leech qualified four horses to run in this eight-horse field. Leech has the three favourites in this race, with, True Copy as the favourite, while Stripsteak and Good Kiddy are the second and third favourites.

If Google ever wanted a photo in their search for, “Long Tall Texan,” we’re pretty sure veteran trainer Dennis Speaks would get the job. While Dennis isn’t really from Texas— he lives in New Mexico during the off season of racing here in Alberta— he is a very interesting man to talk to. Dennis began his horse racing journey at the age of nine working with his grandfather in Washington State. Dennis has trained at amultitude of American tracks and now races exclusively in Alberta, along with his wife, Sylvia, who also has over 30 years of training experience. Dennis once used Triple Crown winning trainer, Bob Baffert as a gallop boy for him many years ago. Dennis and Sylvia have three race horses presently at the track and today, they will be running, Cleared to Victory in a $5,000 claiming race. Do yourself a favour and check out Dennis in the paddock and you will see what I’m saying about the “Long Tall Texan.”

There are seven races today and Sunday, along with the usual family-fun activities such as the play ground and candy scramble.

See you at the races.

Submitted photo Dennis Speaks and his wife, Sylvia, have over thirty years of training experience. Dennis got his start in horse racing when he was nine and working with his grandfather inWashington State.