Waiting on those Nodakers to shine

Derby Watch

I've been wating most of the summer for something to happen with the North Dakota Bred sophomores and I and my curiosity found ourselves at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday for the $17,500 North Dakota Stallion Stakes. In hindsight, it probably should have been named the South Dakota Stallion Stakes as Rapid City based trainer Ardell Sayler finished 1-2-3. Cabooseontheloose won the race by 12 ½ lengths, defeating Boys Will Be Boys and Ram Charger. The only North Dakota-based horse (Manny Ray) finished sixth for the third time in as many starts. The absence of other North Dakota-breds and the cancellation of the North Dakota Derby in early July have left this year a complete mystery.

The leader of the gang, Givem Hell Harley, also ran on the under card in a six furlong Claiming event. The Devron Leingang trainee finished in seventh after starting off the year with a fifth-place showing in late May. The dual-stakes winner remains the most accomplished of the bunch but his form, like many in this group, appears to need some fine tuning.

Here’s hoping Manny Ray and Givem Hell Harley find their stride in time for the North Dakota Bred Derby here in Fargo where stakes-placed charges R Roxy, and Miss Honey Calling will likely be waiting for them.

Still 'Rollin

Rockinrollin Nolan won another stakes race on Sunday with a victory in Assiniboia's $20,500 Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity. The gelded son of American Native triumphed in the Grass Roots Futurity last month at Chippewa Downs and now adds this stakes to owner Robert Wilson's mantle. Ridden by M. Chet Delorme, 'Nolan went from last to first and showed his tail to the field of six covering the 350 yards in 18.20. The NoDak bred earned a 90 speed index for his performance and is certainly one to keep an eye on as the lucrative futurities in Fargo approach.


Best Kept Secret

If you’re like me and cannot wait for opening day you can have a “sneak peek” of the horses by taking in the morning workouts. On July 25th the training track will expand its track hours to 7am-11am. The horses are anonymous but there’s nothing quite like taking in the action from the rail in the early morning mist. The thundering hooves, the athletic action, it holds me over every year until the real thing commences. It truly is the Horse Park’s best kept secret and I encourage you to take the experience in.