The Canadian Triple Crown Trophy

Breeders' Stakes Post Position Draw

Dateline: 8/09/00
By: Terence Dulay

Breeders' Stakes Results

This afternoon the post positions were drawn for the 110th running of the Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine, to be run this Saturday, when Scatter the Gold attempts to become to seventh Canadian Triple Crown winner since the series was inaugurated in 1959, and since it was last won by Peteski in 1993. His dam, Dance Smartly, won the Crown in 1991.

Loiselle, Pound, and Evans drawing the post positions

Assisting track announcer Dan Loiselle and racing secretary Chris Evans at the draw were the First Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, Richard Pound, and Denise Carriere, the leadoff hitter on the Canadian Olympic women's softball team, silver medallists at the 1999 Pan Am Games. Mr. Pound spoke about the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney and about the Canadian Olympic team.

Denise Carriere and Richard Pound seem to enjoy the draw festivities

Addressing the audience before the draw was Glen Sikura, president of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society. The CTHS is the organization which puts up the $500,000 Canadian Triple Crown bonus and the additional $50,000 bonus to the Triple Crown-winning breeder. It also puts up the $350,000 Canadian Triple Tiara bonus.

Lawn jockey outside the Sam Son stables

After the draw was completed, some of us were invited to drive over to the Sam-Som Farm barn to see Scatter the Gold, the 4-5 odds-on morning line favourite. He was very well-behaved and seemed to enjoy being on camera, while having his shoes changed. Trainer Mark Frostad fed him peppermints while we were there. Also there to visit the son of Mr. Prospector and Dance Smartly were Denise Carriere, Frostad's two daughters, and his jockey Todd Kabel.

Trainer Mark Frostad giving Scatter the Gold a peppermint

When asked if it's frustrating as a trainer when you have such a well-bred colt who doesn't show anything at 2, Frostad said "You just have to be very patient. It's fortunate that these kinds of horses are in the hands of Sam-Son, because they never push you to do more than the horse is ready to do, which is a big luxury for a trainer... you just bring them along as you think you should, and with a horse with this kind of breeding you give him all the time they need."

Scatter the Gold checks out Canadian Olympic Team member Denise Carriere while Frostad keeps watch

He showed confidence in Scatter the Gold's turf prowess, saying that the Prince of Wales was the "real test" and that he's "not worried about the turf at all. He ran a huge race in June, and he got into a lot of trouble in that race. When he finally did break free he showed a really good turn of foot late and hopefully he'll do that again Sunday. He's got his game face on."

Frostad's daughters seem to be having a good time at the draw.

I asked Frostad why, on Sunday morning, most of the competition worked out over the turf course but he decided to work Scatter the Gold on the main track instead. "No particular reason. I know he can handle the turf, and working him on it isn't going to do anything one way or another. He's used to this routine and that's a very important factor with training horses. They like certain routine and he's happy doing that. He's ready for the race."

Todd Kabel with his wife at the draw

Jockey Todd Kabel said "I'm looking forward to trying to complete the Triple Crown. I got the horse. I need the trip. Distance won't be a problem at all nor will the turf. I know he can handle a firm turf course, I'm not sure about soft turf though. He's improving a lot." When asked about his last start in the Prince of Wales, "It was a tough race, especially after the break out of the gate. He stumbled, then was way back. I rode him every step of the way. He's improving a lot, really maturing."

Scatter the Gold seems totally oblivious to the media attention as he gets a new set of shoes.

To the right is the trophy for the Breeders' Stakes.

Video of the draw with interviews of the trainer and owner from TSN (Media Player format)

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All photos by Terence Dulay.

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