A total of four stakes races took place on Sunday, October 24^th at Fort Erie Race Track.  The highlight of the day was the Battle of the Breeds featuring four Thoroughbreds and four Quarter Horses racing against one another at a distance of 870 yards. 

To kick off a great afternoon of live racing action The Fort Erie Maturity was run for Quarter Horses at a distance of 400 yards.  Miss Bedlan, the lone female in the race, was the easiest of winners under jockey Marty Mercieca.  “I was 150% confident in this mare, I didn’t even have to ask her, I was just along for the ride,” said the popular jock.  Miss Bedlan paid $7.80 to win.

 The Battle of the Breeds drew a large crowd of fans as they cheered for their favourite breed.  Four local Thoroughbreds took on four Quarter Horses for a total purse of $58,000.  The race was exciting from start to finish.  When the gates swung open the grey Quarter Horse Silver Grill took the lead right away and tried to steal the race on the front end but the local Thoroughbred hero Texas Blitz came on with a great late run to win by a length in a fast final time of 45.11 seconds.  “He can run hard for a half a mile,” said local  jockey Chris Griffith.  “I figured the Quarter Horse would get tired and I knew we had him,” he continued.  Trainer John Simms was extremely proud of his gelding.  “He has been such a good horse to us over the years, winning this race was a bonus.”  On Friday night Texas Blitz was named Quarter Mile Champion of 2010 after winning four races this season at that distance.  This was his fifth victory of the year.  Texas Blitz paid $23.20 to win.  Silver Grill held on for second and Vital Drive (Quarter Horse) finished third.

 Later on during the card the Thoroughbred babies were in the spotlight as they competed in two stakes events, The Fans Cup for colts and geldings and The Longshots OTB Cup for fillies.   The Fans Cup went for a purse of $30,000 at a distance of six furlongs.  The winner was Tyzach, a colt by Sharp Humor who was purchased in Keeneland by his conditioner Norm McKnight.  “We have always been happy with him,” explained McKnight.  “He is a great horse to train.”  Tyzach won thanks to a great rail trip from jockey Krista Carignan.  “He runs like an older horse, nothing really fazes him,” said Carignan.  “We snuck up the rail and the rest is history.”  Tyzach stopped the clock in 1:10.4 and paid $3.60 to win.

 The final stake race of the day was the Longshots OTB Cup also for a purse of $30,000.   The race was run at a distance of six furlongs for 2 year old fillies.  A field of nine broke from the gate with the early fractions being set by Gray Minute and rider Kirk Johnson.  Coming down the stretch it was anyone’s race as all of the fillies were spread out the width of the track.  The winner was a 36-1 longshot named Ever Yours who paid $74.50 to win under a great ride from Rui Pimentel.  Trainer Phil Gracey had sent this filly to Fort Erie for a good reason, “she never liked the Polytrack (at Woodbine) and I figured if she took to the dirt surface then she would run well.  That she did.

 Live Thoroughbred racing will continue on Monday with a ten race program.  The final card of the 2010 season will take place on Tuesday with a twelve race program.  First race post time will be 12:30. 

Elissa Blowe

Media, Marketing, and Events Co-Ordinator

Fort Erie Race Track

1-800-295-3770 x3204

femedia@forterieracetrack.ca