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Standardbred Canada CEO Dan Gall Stepping Away In Early 2024

Standardbred Canada (SC)'s Dan Gall will be leaving the association as President and CEO in early 2024.

Gall, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada since July 2016, is leaving to pursue other interests to allow for a better work-life balance, and to create an opportunity for others to lead the association.

“The hardest part is leaving the incredibly dedicated and passionate SC team that I have come to know and respect, along with the great people that I have been fortunate to meet and work with,” said Gall. “For the past seven years, I have worked alongside some of the greats in this industry and I will truly miss my colleagues, and while there is still a lot of gas in the tank, I am hoping to pursue other interests that I can dedicate more time and energy to.

“During the past seven years, Standardbred Canada has strived to become an essential support to our members, stakeholders and industry, and there is no doubt in my mind that we have moved closer to achieving our overall vision by adopting our corporate values and working with the industry to improve the sport overall.”
Gall, who took the position of President and CEO after having several senior leadership roles with Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG), including General Manager of OLG Slots at Woodbine, went straight to work to re-establish partnerships by promoting accountability, integrity and transparency within the organization.

“As the late great Dr. Ted Clarke said to me, 'the Standardbred Canada badge was tarnished and in need of polishing,' which was the first thing I set out to do by visiting racetracks to see and hear from members across the country,” said Gall.

Other highlights have included hosting the 2017 World Trotting Conference in Prince Edward Island, developing and designing five-year and annual strategic plans with a strong focus on data governance and stakeholder relations, creating a more robust online presence and experience for members that includes online entries and self-serve capabilities, launching the Membership Value Program (MVP), microchipping all Standardbred racehorses in Canada, conducting a full governance review of the association, establishing the Rules of Racing committee with provincial regulators, restructuring the organization with a focus on operational excellence, authoring a post-pandemic “Return to Racing Blueprint” to assist getting the racing industry back on track, launching the online auction service Bid & Buy, overhauling SC bylaws, establishing a National Horse Association group while hosting Quarterly Provincial Horse Association meetings, negotiating member insurance enhancements, launching Direct Deposit in Ontario, overseeing a major office renovation, releasing the Quarterly Standardbred Racing Statistics Report Card, collaborating with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society on Traceability and Identification and now getting ready to release the first ever National Economic Report Card on the horse racing sector.

“On behalf of the Standardbred Canada Board of Directors, I would like to thank Dan for his energy, leadership and vision to further enhance Standardbred Canada's role within the industry. His honesty, commitment and integrity are inspiring and aspiring for the board and staff,” said Joanne Colville, Chair of Standardbred Canada. “I was Chair of the Board when we first elected Dan as the President and CEO and having returned as Chair it is refreshing but not surprising that Dan still maintains the same drive, desire and values that he brought to the association which will help ensure a smooth transition for a new President and CEO. And, we have Dan's commitment that he is available and will continue to work with the Association and the Board on potential future projects.

“Next steps for the Board are to immediately begin work with Dan and the Executive Committee in the recruitment for the next Standardbred Canada President and CEO and to continue the journey of making the association an essential service to this industry.”

One of the most important goals that Gall successfully achieved was bringing strong corporate governance to the association which included creating a vision statement, establishing corporate values, developing annual strategic plans, and launching a rewards and recognition program for employees.

“It has been the thrill of my lifetime that I have been able to see and learn firsthand from the hard-working individuals that we have within our organization,” said Gall. “From our Senior Directors to our Racing Reps, the SC team gives their all to our members and to our sport and while change has always been difficult to navigate, I am forever indebted to the Standardbred Canada team, which has supported and assisted these changes over the past several years.

“I look forward to my next adventure and in the search for our next President and CEO. I hope that I can assist Standardbred Canada and the industry in moving forward into the future.”

The post Standardbred Canada CEO Dan Gall Stepping Away In Early 2024 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: Special Juvenile Filly Keeps 73-Year-Old Trainer ‘Smiling’

Over the past four or five years, there have been moments when trainer Steve Specht has found himself contemplating retirement. Those thoughts rarely last long, especially when that year's 2-year-olds come into the barn; wouldn't you just know it, it always seems that at least one of them can run a little bit!

“I'd probably be divorced if I quit; I have to be doing something,” quipped the 73-year-old Northern California mainstay. “But really, I just love the horses, and I love the competition.”

This year's burgeoning star is Grand Slam Smile, winner of the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante at Santa Anita on June 17. It was just the second career start and the first on dirt for the California-bred daughter of Smiling Tiger.

Sent off as the third choice in the four-filly field, Grand Slam Smile broke well and put pressure on pacesetter Becky's Dream until turning into the stretch when, with 3-5 favorite Crazy Hot coming on her outside, Grand Slam Smile lost touch of the leader.

It proved to be only momentary. Grand Slam Smile quickly re-engaged and surged to the front inside the sixteenth pole to get the win by a half-length, despite jockey Frank Alvarado losing his whip in mid-stretch.

“We were confident going into the race, but I was a little concerned at the head of the lane when (Jeff) Bonde's horse (Crazy Hot) rolled up and she dropped back,” Specht said. “But Frank was able to get back up in there before it was too late.”

Grand Slam Smile will likely target the CTBA Stakes for Cal-breds going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 6 for her next start. The filly has always shown talent, Specht said, but coaxing her to show that talent on the track has required a little bit of extra horsemanship.

“She's not one you're gonna muscle around; she has an attitude about her,” he explained. “It's not in a stupid way, just headstrong. You've gotta go lightly with her.”

A second-generation homebred for owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams, Grand Slam Smile is out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, a two-time winner on the track for Specht and the Williamses who has also been prolific in the breeding shed: Royal Grand Slam has had seven foals to race and all have been winners. Five of her foals have banked more than $100,000 on the track.

Like all the Williams homebreds, Grand Slam Smile was foaled in California before shipping out to the couple's primary farm near Parma, Idaho, to grow up. She was then sent to Utah to be started under saddle by Lynn Melton.

“It's a beautiful facility they go to in St. George, Utah,” said Specht. “Lynn used to train Quarter Horses down at Los Al, which is where he met the Williamses. He does a really good job getting these horses ready, and when they come to me, they pretty much know what they're supposed to do. So it makes my job a lot easier!”

Nonetheless, the Williamses ranch manager, Dan Kiser, warned Specht this particular filly might not make it to the races at all.

“In the beginning she was real tough,” Specht said. “She was just a little wild. It's been a slow process, but she's come along and getting better as it goes.

“You just have to kind of work with her. I hauled her down to Santa Anita myself, and she does have a few little quirks, like you don't want to put a lip chain on her. But she's getting better and she'll get over that stuff with maturity. She's not stupid, just strong willed.”

It's an attitude Specht has seen time and again with those horses, especially fillies, who develop into the best runners. The veteran trainer of over 1,500 winners was born in Chicago, but spent most of his childhood watching his father train horses at the former Fairmount Park in Southern Illinois.

After a stint in the military, Specht launched his training career in Chicago, lasting for 11 years before an owner offered him an opportunity to try California.

“I liked the weather here better than in Chicago, so I stayed,” Specht summarized.

That was 37 years ago.

The Williamses first began sending Specht their less-expensive homebreds to train in Northern California 22 years ago, starting with one filly at Bay Meadows. He won a couple races with the filly before she was claimed, and gradually they started to send him better stock.

Now, Specht has 10 to 12 horses for the Williamses out of a string that's rarely bigger than 25 head, based at Golden Gate.

“They're really great people to work for,” Specht said. “Dan Kiser is who I pretty much deal with, and it's just been a perfect relationship for me. They let me do what I think is right, so we've been pretty successful.”

Kiser reflected on that relationship in an LA Times article from 2019.

“He's the most honest guy I know,” Kiser told the Times. “And he's a great horseman. Every morning he goes to every stall and checks every horse's legs. Other trainers use assistant trainers but not him. He's very hands on.”

Two of the most successful runners Specht has had with the Williamses are Lady Railrider and Antares World. Like Grand Slam Smile, each had her own strong personality.

“I've found out of all the good fillies I've had, all of them have an attitude,” he said. “I've had quite a few fillies that won stakes, and this one didn't like to backtrack, this one, one day would let you pet her and the next day would try to bite ya!”

Lady Railrider won nine times, including five stakes, for earnings of over $600,000, while Antares World won three stakes and was Grade 1-placed, earning over $430,000.

“This one's got that same talent, and she's got the potential to stretch out and be a useful horse going a distance,” Specht said of Grand Slam Smile. “She's kind of a paddler, the way she moves, but she paddles fast!”

Reflecting on the way this filly travels across the ground, Specht shared his belief that the way the horse racing industry is going does not seem sustainable.

Grand Slam Smile, outside, ridden by Frank Alvarado, winning the Fasig-Tipton Debutante over Becky's Dream

“It's good, to a point, that they're being more active with the vet checks and welfare concerns,” Specht said. “But sometimes, they just take it a little too far. Most horses don't come dancin' out of a stall and move perfect after they have been standing in that stall for 20 hours.

“I feel their legs every day, and they don't all travel the same. They're getting a little too strong as far as the requirements to race. In a 30-second exam, the vet thinks they can tell you more about the horse than the trainer who sees it every day, and no one can give a second opinion about it, it's just final. I don't think that's right.”

By way of example, Specht recalled watching Spectacular Bid train when Buddy Delp brought the champion racehorse to Arlington Park in 1980.

“If you ever watched him train, you wouldn't claim him for $5,000,” Specht said. “I watched him train every morning at Arlington, and when he first turned around, he'd literally kind of hop along all the way to the first turn. Then, when he came around the second time, it was all that boy could do to hold him.

“That's what I'm talking about, that's why they call it a warm up! To expect these horses to come out of their stalls and be perfect is just not realistic.”

While there are certainly a few things Specht would change about the racing industry if he could, the sport has provided him with a lifetime of memories with special horses.

His two favorites, it so happens, are lifetimes apart in terms of talent, though each holds a special place in his heart.

“I had a horse for Mike Willman, McCann's Mojave, and made almost a million dollars with him,” Specht said. “He was a really good horse, and Mike is a good friend of mine, so it was definitely kind of special.”

The other came much earlier in Specht's career.

“There was this little old cheap horse I claimed for $4,000 about 30 years ago, and he wound up being the second-winningest horse in the country that year,” Specht said. “Silver Stan won allowance races, $20,000-$30,000 claimers, and he helped me at a time when I was really needing it. I didn't have a lot of horses and money was tight, but Stan always cashed a check.

“The help always liked to see Stan running; they knew they were gonna get paid! He won 12 races that year (1994), and was the winningest horse in California. He was a racehorse.”

The post Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: Special Juvenile Filly Keeps 73-Year-Old Trainer ‘Smiling’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Everything Went Well’: DeShawn Parker Recovering From Pre-Race Injuries, Subsequent Pelvis Surgery

A pre-race incident at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday left jockey DeShawn Parker with serious injuries, according to the Daily Racing Form. Prior to the eighth race, Parker's mount Dabney reared and flipped over, landing on top of the veteran rider.

Parker suffered four fractures to his pelvis and a tailbone broken in two places. The former required surgery to repair; Parker posted on Twitter Wednesday that the surgery had gone well and he would move on to recovery.

The 52-year-old is among the leading riders at Horseshoe Indianapolis this season, ranked sixth by wins as of Tuesday's card, and won the riding title at the Shelbyville, Ind. track in 2020. Parker is the all-time leading rider at Mountaineer Park, and has a record of over 6,100 career victories.

He is also well-respected by his peers: he was voted the winner of the 2021 Mike Venezia Memorial Award and 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

Parker's late father is the highly-respected steward Daryl Parker.

Irish Derby ‘Dreams’: White Birch Ride Handed To Reigning Champion Apprentice Dylan McMonagle

Dylan McMonagle's Derby dreams could become reality this weekend as he takes the ride on White Birch in the third Classic of the summer, writes Paul Martin.

John Murphy's colt finished third in the Epsom equivalent with Colin Keane on board but the champion jockey's ban this weekend means the reigning champion apprentice will instead be on board.

McMonagle has never ridden in the 157-year-old race before and is delighted to be making his debut on such a promising contender, who is currently priced at around 5/1.

“I found out at the weekend and I was delighted to get the call from George [Murphy, assistant to John],” he said.

“I hadn't any idea at all before that. Everyone will have been trying to get on him as he's got a big chance, a lot of the senior riders would have been on the phone.

“I wasn't shocked but I was just very glad and grateful to get the opportunity.

“It's the best race in Ireland and for the connections to put their faith in me on a horse that has such a good chance is really special. Hopefully I can prove them right.”

To do so, he will have to help the three-year-old overturn a sizeable deficit on Auguste Rodin, with five-and-a-quarter lengths separating the pair when they met at Epsom.

The odds-on favorite is looking to provide Aidan O'Brien with a record-extending 15th Irish Derby victory but McMonagle hopes White Birch, who claimed an eye-catching Ballysax Stakes victory as a 22-1 shot on his first appearance this season, rises to the big occasion.

“He [Auguste Rodin] obviously won the Derby well and there was a big distance back to third but my lad didn't have the smoothest run round,” he said.

“He got bumped coming out the gates and lost a bit of ground, so he had a lot of ground to make up

“It will be a very hard test but if we can get a bit closer to him at halfway, he might give him a run for his money.

“This track should suit him a lot better. It's a big, galloping course and the best horse usually wins at The Curragh.

“It will give everyone a fair chance and my lad stays really well, he's been hitting the line strongly in his last couple of runs.

“He is versatile and conditions don't really matter for him. Epsom is a quick track, downhill for a lot of the way, which can be a little bit awkward for a big horse.

“He handled Epsom well but I think The Curragh will definitely play to his strengths.”

McMonagle is in the midst of his first season as a professional and has the chance to enhance an already burgeoning reputation on Sunday afternoon.

He entered a Group 1 winners' enclosure for the first time on Al Riffa in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes last year but knows this would top the lot.

“Everyone dreams of winning those races when they are younger,” he said.

“It would mean the world to win it and they are the kind of races you need to be riding in and being competitive in.

“When you're in with a live chance on a horse like him, it's very exciting. I can't wait.”

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