The Canadian Sportsman

Sportsman Extra - Blog & Features

Archive for August, 2009

Displaying 7 to 9 of 21

August 25, 2009

What do you think the cutline should be?

What do you think the cutline should be?

The original cutline for this David Kawai photo of trainer John MacMillan, which appeared in our Feb. 28, 2008 issue, was:

MacMillan horses around with three-year-old son Aidan at his home in Spencerville, ON.

Can you do better? Click the "Comments" button to submit your cutline.

Comments (3) Print

August 25, 2009

Pelling ranks his sophomores

By Bob Heyden

Pelling ranks his sophomores

Trainer Brett Pelling (above, Dave Landry photo) may have retired after the 2005 season, but there is no escaping his shadow.
Recently, Pelling, a three-time North America Cup winner, was kind enough to rank his top dozen sophomore pacers in order:
  1.  Rocknroll Hanover
  2.  Grinfromeartoear
  3.  The Panderosa
  4.  Western Terror
  5. Dream Away
  6. Timesareachanging
  7. Armbro Operative
  8. Davids Pass
  9. Shady Character
  10. Astreos
  11.  Village Jolt
  12.  Jeremys Gambit

 

More than lucky
It is within the realm of possibility that Lucky Jim, a nearly-perfect 16-for-17 in 2009 through Aug. 8, can be in the hunt at U.S. horse of the year voting time. Though he has fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten, it is interesting to note the last two undefeated HOY winners were both four — same as Lucky Jim (Forrest Skipper in ‘86 and Artsplace in ‘92).
 
Lucky Jim’s trainer, Julie Miller, could be the first female trainer to send out the U.S. horse of the year.
 
It is interesting to note that Lucky Jim, a son of SJs Photo, fell short of his own sire’s mark of 16 consecutive victories to start his fabulous career. Lucky Jim lost his 16th start — the final of the Maple Leaf Trot won by San Pail.

 

 

Comments (0) Print

August 25, 2009

I’m just the monkey Landry travels with

By Dave Briggs

Long ago, I learned that in the harness racing world photographer Dave Landry is a rock star and I’m just the monkey he travels with.

“Oh, the great Dave Landry has come to our farm!” they will cry, as they bow and scrape and gush.

As for me? I typically get a slight nod, a blank expression and a cool-guy, "Hey" before starry eyes gaze back on the photographer.

Needy? Perhaps. But I’ve seen it dozens of times before, enough to give a guy a complex or make him a little envious.

Sure, sure, the photographers, generally, make people look good. The editors, no matter how hard they try, occasionally write something that ticks people off. It’s the nature of the game.

The good news is Landry is pretty easy to get along with. It would be unbearable if he was a jerk.

Now, I’m happy to give kudos to Mr. Landry — and our other main photographer, Claus Andersen, for that matter. They do fantastic work and we’re lucky to have them.

But it goes to show you that photographers get the love and editors just get scornful looks — if they get any looks at all.

I guess it’s the trade off for not having to lug 500 pounds of camera equipment everywhere I go.

 

Comments (0) Print
Displaying 7 to 9 of 21