News From The Northwest

June 4, 1997

The meet at Great Falls Montana is finally under way and the first weekend was fairly successful. This is the first year under private management and they are really trying to make things go. The quality of horses is better also. There are quite a few up from Turf Paradise, plus some from Emerald, Stampede, Playfair and even a couple runners out of Golden Gate and Del Mar. The surface at Great Falls is tends to be speed biased so the front runners generally had the race to themselves. Purses ran from $1600 to about $4000 for the claimers and overnight handicaps, with some stakes coming up that will pay more. Mostly Thoroughbred races are being run, with a few Quarter Horse dashes thrown in and some mixed breed hook races.(I think these are some of the most exciting races to watch)

There are no owner silks here - colors are on post position so if you have your colors on blinkers or a nylon bridle sometimes there is a bit of color clash. My colors are hot pink and blue so naturally I draw the eight hole which is green.

I started a few the first weekend and did ok - a 4th, and a 6th in a real tight 5 furlong filly and mare allowance. The route races will start being written in a couple weeks so I'm waiting for those with my milers. Sometimes it would be nice to have some "cheap speed". I'm looking to start my two year olds and my 3 year old non starter in July and those three alone are enough work for an entire stable. There should be eight runners from my old Buckpasser stallion starting this year and I'm real excited to see how they will do. (I've been rooting for "cousin" Silver Charm also)

p.s. I'll try to get my scanner figured out and send a picture of the local scene

Gina Asbridge