Don Fleming

 

It is quickly getting to the stage of the Northlands harness racing season when guessperts and fans alike are searching for a line on the challengers for the Western Canada Pacing Derby and the Northlands Filly Pace. Both events are the crowning points of the campaign with purses in the range of $125,000 offered in mid-June.

 

At this writing, Rich Cam had yet to make a competitive appearance at Northlands, but he has already created a buzz. He arrived with Dave Jungquist’s powerful stable from Fraser Downs at Surrey, BC, but Dave preferred to train him here for two weeks before showing him off and entering him in a race. He wanted to acquaint the undefeated colt (by former Stewart Fraser Memorial champion Camluck) with the Northlands racing surface, which is in marked contrast to the limestone track at the coast.

 

Rich Cam came to Northlands with a record of 1:55.1, but in the month and a half leading up to the Derby, it is anticipated that he will rapidly lower his mark by three seconds. That puts him right on the standard of the Derby races of the past decade. The highly-touted colt has swept three important stakes at Fraser Downs in his brief career, and each time he has gone to the starting gate bet down to five or ten cents on the dollar. He has never disappointed his supporters in annihilating his opposition by substantial margins.

 

Jungquist has indicated that after the Derby, he will ship Rich Cam, along with his invitational star Nazko Promise (2002 horse of the year in both Alberta and British Columbia), to Toronto to test the top sophomores on the Ontario circuit.

 

Of course, winning the Western Canada Pacing Derby should not be just a case of showing up on June 15. Two of the local stars, such as Free Drop from Gerry Hudon’s barn and Red Star Turbulent who races for Bill Davis, have already won here in 1:54 and change and appear to improve with each outing.

 

The Northlands Filly Pace also has a candidate from the coast who could be dominant. She is Red Star Rockaway, who won the Spring Series final in 1:55.2. But there is also Hudon’s Barona Breeze, who has yet to lose this year and had been grabbing all the headlines until Red Star Rockaway showed up.

 

The Derby and the Filly will contribute to a gala weekend for racing fans of both breeds. The Filly will go Friday night June 13 and the Derby two days later. But in between Northlands will offer the simulcast of the thoroughbreds’ Alberta Derby from Stampede Park.

 

See you at the races!