Heza Wild Guy A Triumphant Old Guy

by JIM WELLS


Strike one up for the geriatric set, the pensioners, the old-timers in racing stables everywhere. Some of them refuse to give in to age and just keep running despite their years.

At an age when most of his contemporaries are rollicking in pastures, providing a ride for the local police department or waiting for the van with the mares to arrive, Heza Wild Guy is still showing the youngsters how to get it done.

On the racetrack.

Take Sunday in the $50,000 John Bullit Stakes, a turf event at about a mile and 1/16, for the latest evidence, before the largest crowd of the season, 17,257, on hand for Extreme Day, featuring racing camels and ostriches.

Heza Wild Guy, the old guy with the youngster Ry Eilkeberry in the irons, showed the young competition that age is not a factor in his case. This demonstration was gate to wire.

The nine-year-old gelded son of Wild Event got the fractions he wanted, the ride he needed and the wire at the right time for a half-length victory over Kaddish and Derek Bell, who were trying to force the issue in the final strides.

But as Kaddish dug in, Heza Wild Guy dug deep and got there first. “I was on a game one all right,’’ said Eilkeberry.

Trainer Bernell Rhone saddled three horses for the race, but it was the oldest horse in the field who got it done. “He’s a darn nice old horse,’’ said Rhone.

“We had the closers if someone wanted to run with him, but no one did.’’

Nope. Look at the fractions: :50, 1:14 3/5, 1:38 and 1:44 and 1/5. Heza Wild Guy won for the 28th time in 69 career starts and pushed his career earnings to near $550,000.

He is owned by Will Carlson of St. Paul and Jerry Pint of New Prague.

Kaddish is trained by Shannon Ritter, a graduate of Tartan High School who used to ride at Canterbury but has been in the training end of the game for some time. She arrived from Chicago, where her horse ran most recently.

Kaddish finished a length in front of Purse a Dream, ridden by Lori Keith, trained by Mike Biehler and owned by Eric Olson and Emerald Bay Stables.

*A shipper from Arlington Park took on some of the local two-year-olds in the $35,000 Brian Barenscheer Stakes and proved too much for them to handle.

Ridden by Julio E. Felix and trained by Rafael Flores, Thewayitusedtobe had a commanding 9 ½ lengths on Mondovi at the wire, 10 ½ on the third-place horse, Spunkette, who set the early pace.

“He slipped a little coming out of the gate so we didn’t get the lead,’’ said Felix. “So we went to plan B.’’

Which proved more than adequate.

Thewayitusedtobe became Thewayitis at the top of the lane, moving in front by two lengths and adding to the margin with every stride.


MTA YEARLING SALE

There were 14 trailers in the main parking lot around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. All but three of them bore Minnesota license plates. One was licensed in Iowa, another in South Dakota and the third was from Turtle Mound on the Chippewa Reservation.

Assuming each one had the purchase of a single horse at the MTA Yearling Sale in mind, three additional trailers would have been necessary to accommodate the 17 horses that sold Saturday night.

Although it wasn’t completely unexpected and reflects the general atmosphere in the horse industry right now, the result was sobering.

The 17 horses sold for $84,300 about half of last year’s total. The sale topper was hip no. 33, a colt by Werblin out of Bush Landslide, purchased for $17,000 by Wayne Simon.

“Saratoga was down 37 percent (at a recent sale),’’ said Kay King of the MTA.

There are other factors, too, related directly to the Minnesota market. “Our purse structure is not keeping up with other states that have slots,’’ King said. “There are just a lot of factors.’’
The MTA had a small incentive to help attract buyers.

“We’re trying to be innovative,’’ King added. Next year the first colt and filly to break their maidens at Canterbury in June, July and August will be awarded a $500 bonus.



CHAPEL BENEFIT
Patrons were in a buying mood at the silent auction Friday and Saturday to help pay down the remaining debt on the Dean Kutz Memorial Chapel.



Chaplain Ed Underwood said that of the approximately 80 items for sale, only four were not purchased.



“We feel it went really well,’’ he said. “The help from management was incredible. Mark Erickson and several employees came by several times to make sure we had everything we needed. They had tables set up for us with table cloths (on which to display the merchandise). One of the plumbers even stopped by to see if we needed anything. It made it an easy and pleasurable experience.’’

The auction raised approximately $5,800. Another cash donation of $2,000 earlier this month increased the totalto nearly $8,000 to apply toward the remaining debt of $32,500.

Among the items auctioned:
There was a Polaroid camera, a horse lamp, an autographed Joe Mauer bat, braided lead ropes in your choice of colors _ pink, purple or red, white and blue.

For early Christmas shoppers, there were even items for the kids, Play Doh, Mr. Potato Head, a Tonka truck.

There was a Painted Pony for collectors, this one the five-card stud horse displaying a straight flush _ in spades.

There was a picture of Grindstone in the winner’s circle after the 122nd Kentucky Derby, with rider Jerry Bailey and trainer D. Wayne Lukas clearly visible.

There were also Peb drawings of Mike Smith, Lukas, Ron Turcotte and Secretariat and Laffit Pincay, Jr.

There were even several copies of a book from Sid Hartman, written by Joel Rippel, on Greatest Minnesota Sports Moments.

A copy sold for $15. For an mere $15 additional, a buyer was entitled to a copy autographed by the man himself.

Stevens Two Months Away?

By JIM WELLS

Shortly before the riders headed to the paddock for the first race on July 2, they sat in on a safety seminar.

Part of what was discussed included Canterbury Park’s ability to respond to a major accident, a life-threatening situation on the track.

Later that evening, Scott Stevens, Paul Nolan and Don Proctor were injured in the worst spill in track history. Stevens was hurt badly enough that a helicopter was used to airlift him to a hospital. That was a first at Canterbury, but the quick reaction and decision to use a helicopter were credited with saving his life.

He had broken ribs, punctured lungs, a spleen injury in addition to other contusions and possible breaks.

Saturday, Stevens said that if all goes well, doctors have told him he can get back on a horse in two months.

“That would be just about the time that Turf Paradise (in Phoenix) starts its meet,’’ Stevens said.

Indeed it would. Turf’s meet runs from Oct. 1 to May 8.

Stevens does have additional doctor visits and checkups scheduled before a definitive decision can be made.

Meanwhile, he can be found around the track or backside most days,
Saturday ‘s fourth race presented a unique viewing opportunity for Stevens. The lineup included three grays _ Silver Wilbur, Quintons Speedy and Arena Negra _ that he had won races on at one time or another.

None of the three made it to the winner’s circle on Saturday, though. A P Dreamer, ridden by Seth Martinez, finished in front of The Quinnster and Arena Negra.

SATURDAY TIDBITS
Longshots spiced up the proceedings for a light fan turnout.

Bauble Boy, trained by Bernell Rhone, owned and bred by Jim Sterriker and ridden by Gus Rincon, upset the field in race three at 12-1.

The longpriced winner of the day came in race five when Case in Point, ridden by Adolfo Morales and trained and owned by David Applebee, upset a field of eight $7,500 claimers at about 7 ½ furlongs on the grass and, at 18-1, paid a whopping $39.60.

Juan Rivera made another trip to the winner’s circle aboard a four-year-old filly named Minnetonka Melody, trained by David Van Winkle and owned by Susan Nicol and Bona Fortuna, Ltd. The Pleasant Tap filly upset the field in race seven at 12-1.

Jockeys Express Their Gratitude

There was a $5 check from a 10-year-old girl in Ohio, everything she could spare for a donation to the benefit fund.

There were the priceless hand-made miniature tack boxes, decorated with pictures of horses and various other wildlife made in their grandfather's woodworking shop by Olivia, 7, and Scottie Bethke, 10, one for each of the injured jockeys, Don Proctor, Paul Nolan and Scott Stevens.

Of course, none of it might have happened without the brainstorm from Kendall Van Winkle, 10, who came up with the idea of a benefit and got it rolling with the help of sister Taylor, 12, and their friend, Courtney Padilla, 12.

Jockey agent Richard Grunder picked up the idea and ran with it, arranging a spaghetti benefit and silent auction. The annual Don MacBeth Jockey Fund benefited from local publicity about the plight of the three Canterbury riders at the time and attracted record giving. Other events followed.

Stevens, Nolan and Proctor each expressed his heartfelt thanks in different ways to the track personnel, management, riders, trainers, fans and everyone else who participated in the drive to raise funds for them in their time of need.

"Fans, people we've never met, stop us in the stands and ask how we're doing. I still start to tear up when I talk about some of these things,'' Nolan said.

Proctor was overwhelmed at the notion that it was Kendall who came up with the idea. She babysits his twin toddlers. "She's very special,'' he said. "This was her idea.''

Stevens was hurt worst of all in the spill but is up and around and even making daily appearances at the track or the backside.

"We just want to thank all the trainers, riders, fans and everyone,'' Stevens said. "There's so many people that we don't want to forget someone. "So, we thank anyone who was part of all this.''

Leggett Benefit To Include Live Music

by JIM WELLS

Tad Leggett was scheduled off his ventilator for 10 hours on Wednesday, one more step in the rehabilitation process he is undergoing at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo., the renown center for treating people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.

Leggett, 45, a four-time quarter horse riding champion at Canterbury Park and the all-time money winner, was injured severely in a spill at Fair Meadows at Tulsa on June 30. He underwent a nine-hour spinal surgery on July 2 and has been recovering since. He is still unable to walk or function normally with his hands and arms and is still learning to breathe on his own.

"He's on a ventilation weaning program,'' said Leggett's daughter, Tiffany, who works in the horsemen's book-keeping office at Canterbury. "They were taking him off for an hour three times a day and now they'll try with 10 hours.''

Tiffany said that she talked to her father by phone a week ago during one of his ventilator-free hours. "He sounded pretty much like himself,'' she said. "You would have almost thought everything was normal.''

Tiffany said that during the conversation her father referred to a a gray horse he had recently acquired that his son Travis, 16, has taken a liking to. "Tell Travis not to get too attached to that gray horse,'' her father told her. "He's mine.''

The Craig center has specific programs for people with spinal cord injury. Tiffany said that the plan eventually is for her father to work on regaining his ability to walk.

In the meantime, the bills and expenses continue to accumulate. Sunday, Arizona's at the Canterbury Inn will sponsor a benefit and fundraiser on Leggett's behalf. Tickets at $10 apiece entitle a patron to a barbecue pork sandwich plate from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Fanatics band will play from 8 p.m. to closing.

Tickets are available from trainer Jerry Livingston, in the horsemen's book-keeping office and from various other trainers at Canterbury.

The Leggetts are from Bandera, Texas, a small town an hour from San Antonio. Tiffany plans to return to college at Adams State in Alamosa, Colo., after the Canterbury meet ends. Her brothers Travis and Trevor, 11, are staying with their dad's brother, Mark, in Logan, Kan.

"They've already hauled their horses up there,'' Tiffany said, "so they can do their roping while they go to school there this year.''

Meanwhile, Tad's wife, Tina, is staying near the rehabilitation center in Colorado.

"Sometimes people ask me how my mom is doing,'' Tiffany said, "and I don't know what to say. She's very strong, just rock solid.''


CHAPEL BENEFIT
A silent auction is planned for Friday night and Saturday during the races with proceeds earmarked to help reduce remaining debt on the Dean Kutz Memorial Chapel in the stable area.
The auction will take place at the usual location, just inside the main doors to the grandstand. Among the items up for bid are signed drawings by renown Daily Racing Form artist Peb in addition to other framed artwork.

Chaplain Ed Underwood said other items include some Claiming Crown polo-style shirts, braided lead ropes, wine baskets and Pat Day t-shirts. Anyone who makes a $10 donation will get a t-shirt.

A number of books and a donated watch will be auctioned as well.

NEW STABLES BEGIN ARRIVING
Stall superintendent Mark Stancato began welcoming new arrivals, all from Iowa, on Wednesday. Cecil Stewart was due to arrive with five horses on Wednesday. Stancato is expecting the first of 25 horses from the Tim Gleason stable to begin arriving as early as this week with the bulk of them next Sunday and Monday.
Norm Ashauer, who has raced at Canterbury previously, was due to arrive as early as Wednesday with four horses.


HBPA ELECTION BALLOTS DUE SOON
Election ballots for the trainer and two owners who will be named to the HBPA board are due in the mail by Aug. 16, according to HBPA executive director Patrice Underwood.

Canterbury Invades Canada

It was a big day for Canterbury connections at Assiniboia. Locals swept the three stakes series in Winnipeg today. The $50,000 Manitoba Derby went to Stachys, trained by Mike Biehler. Eddie Martin Jr. rode for Al and Bill Ulwelling.

Trainer Charlie Smith won the $50,000 Assiniboia Oaks with Ruby's Big Band.
The $30,000 Graduation for 2-year-olds went to Paris by Night and trainer Nevada Litfin. Dusty Shepherd rode for TDD Partners, who also won the Minnesota Derby on Saturday.

That makes three wins in four days for Nevada, two being stakes. This blog leaves trainer of the week designations to the HBPA but Nevada's accomplisments stamp him as the first ever Straight From The Horses Mouth Trainer of the Week. Well done, young man.
JM

Brian Chenvert wins Del Mar Handicapping Challenge

Brian Chenvert from Rogers, MN took home first place in the Del Mar Handicapping Challenge held at the southern California track on July 31 & August 1. For his efforts, Brian receives $40,000 in addition to turning a starting bankroll of $5,000 into $10,160.

Damian Roncevich of of Honolulu, HI, made a late rally to take second place at $9,557. Second place was worth an additional $20,000 in prize money.

Five spots in the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship were at stake in the field of 44. Joining Chenvert and Roncevich are the third through fifth finishers, Corey Johnsen, Toby Turrell, and Duke Matties.

Final Standings:1- Brian Chenvert -- $10,1602- Damian Roncevich --$9,5573- Corey Johnsen --$9,1884- Toby Turrell --$8,1085- Duke Matties--$7,896

--- provided by Del Mar Turf Club

Ulwellings Zero In On Title, More Horses

BY JIM WELLS

The Ulwellings set two goals for themselves approaching the 2010 racing season in Shakopee:
1. They wanted to run a horse in a Claiming Crown race.
2. They wanted to finish the year as the leading owners at Canterbury Park.

Scratch No. 1. That didn’t happen. Bill and Al had 10 nominees to the annual extravaganza for claimers. For a variety of reasons, none of them made it. Some of those nominees were claimed, and Richland Creek, who was right on track, developed an abscess on a foot. “Our first goal wasn’t realized,’’ Bill said.

The second goal is still on track.

Heading into Sunday’s card, the first day of the last month of racing in Shakopee, the Ulwellings had a solid lead in wins among Canterbury owners.

With 17 wins, they had 10 more than Miguel Silva. Their overall numbers are quite impressive as well. Their win percentage was 40 percent; their in-the-money figure was 72 percent, with total earnings of $169,260.

They had hoped to pick up another win in Sunday’s third race from Highflyertotheline, but the two-year-old chestnut colt _ picked by nearly every handicapper alive to smoke the field, including Bill himself _ didn’t even place.

On the contrary, it was the Mac Robertson-trained Picko’s Pride, owned by Joni and Barry Butzow, who had the distinction of laying waste to six rivals.

Bill Ulwelling has been a fan of horse racing since its inception in Shakopee, but an owner only the last six years. He and his son, Al, own a crane company based in Elk River that has grown steadily the last 15 years.

So, too, has their stable.

The Ulwellings own and lease a number of cranes in addition to building power plants and garbage burners.

Their stable consists at the moment of 24 horses in training and two broodmares. Mike Biehler has 10 Ulwelling-owned horses in his barn, but the total number was due to grow as early as the next couple of days.

Al is at Sartoga, planning to claim as many as five horses while watching the stable’s Backtrack run in the $150,000 Grade II Amsterdam on Monday. Backtrack is trained by Merrill Scherer and will be ridden on Monday by Julien Leparoux.

“He’s in tough. We know that,’’ Bill said.

Backtrack is 20-1 in the morning line. The favorite, at 8-5, is Discreetly Mine.
Meanwhile, Bill Ulwelling and Biehler are at Assiniboia Downs where Stachys will run as the 3-1 morning line second choice in today’s $75,000 Manitoba Derby. Also running in that race is 15-1 Mankato Strike, trained by Charlie Smith.

Some of the Ulwellings’ horses are at Presque Isle Downs, others are with Scherer in New York.
Once the meet in Shakopee ends, the Ulwellings will round out the year at Hawthorne, Remington Park and the Fair Grounds.

PROCTOR BACK IN SADDLE, WINNER’S CIRCLE.

Don Proctor, of the three riders injured in the spill at Canterbury Park on July 2, has been back in the saddle since last Tuesday, when he rode one race at Prairie Meadows.
He has been at Canterbury all weekend, and Sunday afternoon brought in a three-year-old filly named Gents Suprem Lady for owners Dennis Strohkirch and Tom Hauge.

The owners had wondered if Proctor was truly ready, but trainer Troy Bethke had no doubts.
Proctor proved him right, riding the filly to a maiden-breaking effort in race seven for $10,000 maiden claimers.

The win was Proctor’s first since returning to the saddle.

“I’m okay if I keep moving and riding,’’ Proctor said. “I gallop in the morning. But once I stop, everything starts to stiffen up.’’

Proctor hurt his back in the spill, injuring a vertebra.

He, like Scott Stevens and Paul Nolan, also injured in the spill, is overwhelmed by the response from fans, agents and other riders to their situation.