Canadian Triple Crown News
One Bad Boy (pictured throughout) whose stretch domination over Avie’s Flatter allowed him to draw clear in the 1$M Queen’s Plate has remained visible in training at Woodbine. The California based runner has galloped spryly over Woodbine’s Tapeta surface in the days following his Queen’s Plate victory but on Wednesday morning the Richard Baltas trainee was ready for a timed workout at half mile.
- One Bad Boy slowly left the half mile pole and achieved his prep with easy fractions of 13.1 25.3 51 galloping out five furlongs in a nice 1.03.2 and he was pulled up in 1.17.4. One Bad Boy was the first of the contenders from the Queen’s Plate to subsequently make the work tab.
- He is a scheduled starter in the upcoming, Prince of Wales Stakes,on dirt at 1 3/16th miles, July23, at Fort Erie which is the second jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown. A $500,000 bonus is available to a horse who sweeps the three triple Crown races concluding with the Breeders Stakes, August 17th, at a mile and a half on the E. P. Taylor turf
Woodbine based runners have the option of prepping for the Prince of Wales on the dirt training track located on Woodbine’s backstretch.
Jim Bannon
Anatomy of Network Broadcast
Prince Of Wales Broadcast TSN - July 23 at 7:00pm
The Anatomy of a Network Broadcast
The 2019 Prince of Wales Stakes
- Once again in 2019 the Canadian Triple Crown which consists of, The Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders Stakes races are being carried live on TSN along with the Woodbine Mile and the Canadian International.
- Preparations for the upcoming Prince of Wales telecast, Tuesday, July 23rd , at Fort Erie Racetrack from 7-8 pm typically began a couple of weeks ago with an initial email among Rob Platts, the show’s producer, Brian Williams and myself, to discuss possible field composition and story lines and any features we would like to explore. It was projected at this time that a feature on, Brooke Hubbard, bloodstock agent and part of owner of Queen’s Plate winner, One Bad Boy, would be an interesting feature within the broadcast. The three of us met at Woodbine a week later to firm up story lines, and to take a cursory look at items in the script.
- It was decided that the three story lines for the show would be, the field, which consists of just five runners, however, all competed in the Queen’s Plate including the top four finishers, One Bad Boy, Avie’s Flatter, Tone Broke and He’s A Macho Man, plus, the troubled tenth place finisher and Queen’s Plate favorite, Skywire. A second story line would be the $500,000 OLG Triple Crown Bonus which goes only to the winner of the three races. The third story line would be the spotlight being on, One Bad Boy, who had shipped in from California to win the Queen’s Plate. He remained at Woodbine to prepare for the Prince of Wales and we’ll explore whether he remained partly because of the lure of the bonus.
- It will require the collective expertise of a broadcast team of approximately 55 people and 12 different cameras to produce the Prince of Wales telecast. The large tech crew includes those on site for cabling, lighting and sound and those in preproduction and graphics also play a vital role. A final script run through for commentators and some crew is scheduled for 3 pm on race day at Fort Erie where the show will be reviewed and vetted for any late changes. An easy exchange of information typically takes place among the commentators, the producer and director at this time where insights are shared and a determination is reached as to which of the representatives of the horses will be in attendance.
- About 45 minutes prior to the start of the show everyone will be in place to test sound and visual equipment and to do a first section rehearsal if time permits. Brian and I will be located as usual at the far end of the grandstand in close proximity to the first turn.
- At exactly 7 pm the telecast will begin and Brian, as he does so very well, will welcome the audience and voice over a vitally important scene set to detail our location and the significance of the event. At 7.02 pm producer, Rob Platts, from his location in the nearby production truck will alert us through our telex earpieces that we will soon come up on camera. Brian and I will then appear together and have an opportunity to share the storylines with the viewers. After identifying and hearing from the other long serving members of our cast, Jason Portuondo who will address the three different racing surfaces used in the Triple Crown events and Laura Diakun who will set out possible revenge motives for Queen’s Plate runners up moving on to the Prince of Wales, Brian and I will then move on to the Meet The Field feature where each horse is introduced to the viewers. It should be noted that while the script denotes items to be covered in a stated sequence and in a very specific time period, all dialogue on the show is spontaneous. Brian will lead us to the initial Commercial break and during that time we’ll confer with each other and Rob Platts about how the opening went and about the specifics concerning upcoming items
- In the second block of the script a possible look at the jockeys in the race is planned given that three significant import riders will be participating , Flavien Prat on One Bad Boy, Javier Castellano on Avie’s Flatter and Ricardo Santana Jr taking over on Tone Broke. Each is an all star in the game. The home side will be represented by a pair of Canadian champions, Patrick Husbands on He’s A Macho Man and Eurico Da Silva on Skywire. Both riders are previous winners of the race. The Brooke Hubbard feature is scheduled for this section and a representative of OLG may be heard from regarding the bonus before the second commercial break is reached.
- The main items to be covered in block three include the walking ring scene and the post parade as the moments tick down to post time. The following section will have a snap shot review of the running of the Queen’s Plate including the interference caused by Tone Broke to Skywire and also He’s A Macho Man at the start and the consequences of the various running positions the contenders had throughout the contest. The show is typically loosely scripted on the back end to allow for the inclusion of late developments. Reports from Jason on horseback from the track and interviews with Laura in the stands will be essential for capturing the mood of the evening just prior to the race.
- In addition to enjoying the excitement of the contest an analyst must pay close attention to the happenings during the race and the final time to present an overview through replays immediately following its conclusion. Brian will emphatically recap what took place and give his immediate impressions of the outcome and then include me to flesh out the details. Jason will have an up close chat will the breathless winning rider. The significance of the victory will be evaluated in post race interviews in the winner’s circle with Laura and projections to the Breeders Stakes will be explored especially if, One Bad Boy, is continuing his pursuit of the Triple Crown and the bonus. Prices paid and full field finishing positions will be reviewed and story lines will be revisited before Brian wraps up the telecast. Following the conclusion of the telecast, we’ll meet briefly as a group near the production truck. The crew will then begin the three and a half hour break down of the set before they can disperse for the drive home.
Jim Bannon
Prince of Wales Script TSN
July 23,2019 at 7:00pm
Queen's Plate 2019
Queen's Plate Day 2019
- Gloriously warm weather greeted an especially enthusiastic and well groomed crowd many of whom were following traditions initiated decades earlier of attending the annual Queen’s Plate Day festivities in their finery.
- Outstanding food offerings were available and the libations flowed liberally while tunes from a rear stage wafted over the grounds.
- The storylines for the 160th renewal of the feature were well established:
- -could Hall of Fame Trainer-Elect, Josie Carroll, bring Ivan Dalos’s
Juvenile Champion, Avie’s Flatter, to the winner’s circle off a nearly two month absence and become the first Coronation Futurity winner to take the Queen’s Plate since 1976?
- -could Hall Of Fame trainer, Mark Casse, keep his unparalleled success in Triple Crown races both here and in the U S ( five of the past six) going with the expected favorite, Skywire?
- -could Sam Son Farm's, Desert Isle, give the renowned stable its sixth Queen’s Plate win?
- -could the California speedster,One Bad Boy, after his impressive work here over Woodbine’s Tapeta surface carry his alacrity the ten furlongs and give French Import, Flavien Prat, the coveted Kentucky Derby/Queen’s Plate Double?
- -could the emerging, He’s a Macho Man, with clear momentum in the betting, provide veteran rider, Patrick Husbands, a celebration that seemed impossible months earlier while he was confined to a hospital bed with a broken pelvis?
- -could Hall of Fame trainer,Steve Asmussen, whose Curlin,
Gun Runner and Rachel Alexandra, captured the best races, add the Queen’s Plate to his impressive profile with the leggy, Tone Broke?
The events of the day did not go well for local horsemen as trainers and jockeys based here were shut out from the top prize in every one of the six stakes races which were Instead meticulously lifted in the fashion of The Pink Panther by their visiting counterparts.
- The Black Album, from Keeneland captured the Charlie Barley for trainer Rodolphe Brisset with Flavien Prat up-Desert Isle returned from Fair Hill for Graham Motion to win the Zadracarta under Junior Alvarado-Synchrony, also from from Fair Hill, scored in the King Edward for Michael Stidham with Javier Castellano-The Dance Smartly went to 2017 Queen’s Plate winner, Holy Helena, at a short price for Belmont based trainer James Jerkins and Castellano took down his second stakes of the day- The Gr 1 Highlander was stolen late by,Wet Your Whistle, In from Fair Hill for trainer Michael Trombetta under perfect late handling by Alex Cintron-finally,One Bad Boy, who last competed in San Francisco, for multiple, Gr 1 winning trainer Richard Baltas took the $600,000 ($458,280 US funds) top prize for the Queen’s Plate with Prat aboard.
Most of the drama in the Queen’s Plate happened at the gate. One Bad Boy, the recipient of enormous late betting support, jumped out to an early advantage while,Avie’s Flatter, encumbered by the widest post was forced to trade his patient rallying style for a new and more forward approach racing closest to the front runner One Bad Boy. Skywire,broke a step tardy then received a thunderous Zdeno Chara like body check to the ribs from an out of control,Tone Broke, and was essentially eliminated as the popular 2-1 favorite.
One Bad Boy, courageously made all of the running while on preferred footing inside in a career performance and drew away from a game but overmatched,Avie’s Flatter, who was second best. Flavien Prat joined Bill Hartack and Kent Desormeaux on a short list of riders to capture both the Kentucky Derby and Queen’s Plate in the same year. For his outstanding effort , One Bad Boy, earned a preliminary Beyer Rating of 94, five Beyer Points higher than his previous best performance. Tone Broke, who briefly contended on the final turn was finally a non threatening third and survived a brief shake down by the Stewards for his ‘hooked-Marlin’ antics at the start. He’s a Macho Man, with a late flourish deprived the filly, Desert Ride, of fourth place by a long length.
That the race had a safe outcome as did the other 12 events on the card was the real highlight of the enormously successful and enjoyable day.
Jim Bannon
Jim Bannon & Nick Florian
Royal Ascot Feature
The Royal Ascot Experience
The Royal Ascot Experience features elite patrons and leading equines with the best pedigrees, champion jockeys and trainers in an immaculately manicured and highly functional setting where hospitality and fashion are art forms presided over by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the 12th Patron here since its inception in 1711.
THE TRADITIONAL OPENING DAY FEATURE
THE GROUP 1,
QUEEN ANNE STAKES, taken by long Shot LORD GLITTERS who had been unplaced in the 2018 GR 1 WOODBINE MILE, was eclipsed by BLUE POINT’'S win in the GROUP 1, KING’S STAND, setting the stage for that one's dramatic follow up victory on Closing Day in the GROUP 1, DIAMOND JUBILEE Stakes.
JOCKEY POWER
LAFRANCO DETTORI helped significantly by his Four wins on Thursday's card was the Meet's Champion Jockey while AIDAN O’BRIEN captured his 10th ROYAL ASCOT TRAINING TITLE and COOLMORE was recognized as Leading Owner,
Canadian Horseracing Hall of Fame Induction Gala Event
Canadian Horseracing Hall of Fame induction Gala
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame held its annual induction Ceremony on Wednesday
August 7th at the Mississauga Convention center where Thoroughbred inductees included jockey Mikey Walls, trainer Josie Carroll, builder the late Bory Margolus and horses All Along and Lexie Lou . Standardbred inductees included Builder Ian Fleming, Trainer/Driver Jimmy Takter, Driver Trevor Ritchie and horses Angus Hall and Tricky Tooshie.
The three hour extravaganza required months of planning by Managing Director of the Hall,
Linda Rainey, who produced a minute by minute Schedule of events for which I prepared an in-depth 26 page script for the Gala which started with welcoming remarks and the introduction of Honoured Members assembled at the front of the stage. This year’s Group in attendance joining me at the front included Larry Attard, Roger Attfield,Reade Baker, Murray Brown, Bob Burgess, Blair Burgess, Louis Cauz, Sandy Hawley, Carl Jamieson, Dave Landry, Dan Loiselle, Bill O’Donnell, Robert Tiller and Ron Waples.
Following a toast by Honoured Members to the new Inductees an emotional rendition of
O Canada featuring members of the Hall within the video presentation set the stage for all of us to fondly remember those Honoured Members who had passed since we were last together as a family. The poignant Memorials featured, Dr Ted Clarke, David Cross, Bill Gale, Bill Graham and Gustav Schickedanz.
The incomparable,Dan Patch, was welcomed to the Hall in the Legends category.
Inductions were interspersed with the meal and a lively auction served in part as a vital fund raiser for the Hall.
Mikey Walls was presented with his Hall of Fame ring by Sandy Hawley whose records he broke in 1991.
Jim Bannon
Chaplaincy Golf Tournament Event
Chaplaincy Golf Tournament Event
The Chaplain’s Golf Tournament took place on Monday, August 12th, at the Glen Eagle course north of Bolton
The annual tournament is the main fund raiser for the Chaplaincy which works for the benefit of the backstretch workers at Woodbine race track
An enthusiastic group of sponsors, players and volunteers turned out for the event in support of Chaplain Shawn Kennedy
A beautiful afternoon greeted golfers who were provided a BBQ lunch prior to playing 18 holes.
A sumptuous dinner of Steak, Chicken and pasta that all agreed was satisfying was followed by an Irresistible dessert table.
A wide range of silent auction items were signed for and a competitive live auction followed where Leaf tickets, a John Tavares signed sweater, a Morgan Riley in game stick and an original 1995 Raptor sweater signed by Marcus Camby were gathered up by some of the Chaplaincy’s most loyal supporters.
Jim Bannon
161 Years in Racing and counting....
The three of us were celebrating a collective 161 years service in the racing game. We began as stable boys in the mid 1960’s and have remained good friends
Tom Cosgrove(L) went on to be a successful trainer and currently continues as a long time Woodbine Official. Tom also serves as Chairman of both the Nomination and Election Committees of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Sandy Hawley(C) went on to an illustrious career as Champion jockey in both in Canada and the United States gaining entrance to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (at Saratoga) Sandy was Honoured with the Order of Canada. Sandy continues to serve as an Ambassador for Horse Racing and does charity fundraising for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund(PDJF)
Jim Bannon(R) served for 47 years as Editor of the Journal (a handicapping information publication) Jim’s broadcast career has continued on Simulcast shows from Woodbine and as a Gemini Award Winning Broadcaster, currently on TSN. Jim is currently serving his second of two (three year) terms as a Steward of the Jockey Club of Canada. Jim also serves as the Vice President if the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and President of the Backstretch Chaplaincy.