By: Allen Hadley
The fifth running of the Alberta Bred Derby (RG3) proved to be the run of a lifetime for Alberta Bred, Six Pack of Corona. The gelding by Count Corona led every stride of the 400-yard sprint, crossing the wire in 19:89; earning a career best 106 speed index.
Six Pack of Corona has now earned $43,141 for his owners Kelly Matthews, Darryl Bein and Neil Hutton. The partners purchased the gelding privately from breeder Beebe Quarter Horses. Six Pack of Corona is trained by Stan Webb and was ridden by Brooke Mellish. It was the geldings first Stakes win.
Another Stan Webb trainee, Eyesa Chickin it Out, crossed the wire 1.5 lengths behind the winner, but still earned a 101 speed index. Canada Quarter Horse Cup Auction grad, Sign of a Warrior, placed third.
Eight in a row race winner, Its All About Speed, ran fourth and was followed by Keep On Keepin On, Three Cheers Corona, St Paddys Eyes and RD Dashing Miracle.
The $50,260 up for grabs was a record purse for the Derby. Many thanks to Horse Racing Alberta for providing much of the added money ($35,000) which keeps Alberta Bred breeders raising the best possible horses they can.
Go Means Go in the Bonnett/Brodon Futurity
Coming off a third place effort in June’s All Canadian Open Futurity, JCPH Go Go Carly crossed the finish line in 17.79 (a race record) in the 26th running of the Bonnett/Brodon Futurity. The Profit Increase filly earned a lifetime best 100 speed index.
Trainer/breeder Ed Kyler also owns the fillies sire. She was ridden by David Brown. “Carly” will make her next start in the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity trials in September at Whoop Up Downs (Lethbridge).
2006 Canada Quarter Horse Cup consignee’s Pow Wow Lane and No Chalk Anaka placed second and third respectively. Both of these two year olds also qualified for the All Canadian Open Futurity.
Sue is Special, Okies Red Warrior and Thundering Corona completed the order of finish. Sassy Still Classy and Bay to Bay were scratched.
Ford Canada Juvenile Challenge
Queens Strawfly, a filly by Champion sire Strawfly Special sprinted to a one length victory in the 14th running of the Canada region Juvenile Challenge. The victory is a repeat win for owners Ed Vanee,
Ron Sakamoto and Darcy Edwards who won this race last year with Hes A Standout. Queens Strawfly was trained by Linda Kropius and was ridden by Scott Sterr.
Owner-trainer Donalda Cochrane had the second and third place finishers, Hawks Halo and Eyes Proof. Dashin Haze ran fourth. KH Moven On, KR Check the Hawk, KR Union Station and White Fish were scratched.
This And That
• Did you know that mare First Prize Dash (a full sister to First Down Dash), has had 15 babies in three years.
• 56 yearlings and 30 stallion services are up for sale in the 12th annual Canada Quarter Horse Cup Auction on Sat, Sept 8 (Lethbridge).
• The gross purse for September 22nd’s Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity currently sits at $110,000
• Awards Banquet tickets (Sat, Dec 1 – Calgary) are for sale at the association office for $50.
Monthly Reminders
Feature Events:
Canada Quarter Horse Cup Auction – Sat, Sept 8 – Whoop Up Downs, Lethbridge
Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity – Sat, Sept 22 – Whoop Up Downs, Lethbridge (CTV – 4pm)
Alberta Bred Futurity – Sat, Oct 27 – Whoop Up Downs, Lethbridge
Horsemen’s Open Derby – Sun, Oct 28 – Whoop Up Downs, Lethbridge
AQHRA AGM & Awards Banquet – Sat, Dec 1 – Best Western Village Park Inn – Calgary
