‘It’s Okay To Dream Big’: Trainer Breeda Hayes Waiting For That Day

Breeda Hayes hopes the time will come, the moment when she allows herself to dream big.

These days, the longtime Woodbine-based trainer is walking the line between optimism and pragmatism, hopeful of what could be in her future, but mindful of the journey that's needed to take her there.

“It's okay to allow yourself to dream,” said the Irish-born Hayes. “But I don't think I'll do that quite yet. There is still a lot of time between now and then.”

“Then,” in this instance, is Aug. 22, the date of this year's $1 million Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racecourse.

Hayes has a pair of promising hopefuls in the form of Credit River and Go Take Charge, both bred and owned by Garland Williamson (Hillsbrook Farms), each listed at 25-1 in the Queen's Plate Winterbook.

But that's where the similarities between the 3-year-olds end.

Credit River is by More Than Ready and out of Wonder Where Stakes winner Like a Gem, the dam of the Grade 1 winning millionaire turfer Hard Not to Like.

The initial plan was for Credit River to run in a maiden race last year at Woodbine. When the race didn't fill, the connections decided to roll the dice and enter the rookie in the Ontario Racing Stakes.

Stepping into the starting gate at odds of 41-1, Credit River and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson got away last in the 5-furlong Inner Turf Course race.

For a time, it looked as though that's where they'd stay.

As the field turned for home, Wilson swung Credit River to the outside in an attempt to rouse the first-time starter into action.

The move quickly paid off.

Credit River and Wilson methodically picked off their rivals one by one down the lane, culminating in a three-quarters of a length score in a final time of :57.06 over firm turf.

Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson guides Hillsbrook Farms Credit River to victory in the $135,000 Ontario Racing Stakes for trainer Breeda Hayes.

“This horse comes by his talent honestly,” said Wilson. “You can see it in the form; his mom [Like a Gem] was a multiple stakes winner that I used to ride here, and one of his siblings [half sister Hard Not to Like] was a grade 1 winner. So to see him flourish on the turf is no surprise.”

Credit River's milestone moment was also one for a surprised Hayes, who celebrated her first career stakes win.

“The maiden race didn't go, but he went and ran his eyeballs out. He showed up, or I should say, unexpectedly showed up. It was a fantastic run. Emma gave him what he wanted. Once he switched leads at the top of the lane, and Emma roused him, it was as though he said, 'Okay, my dear, let's go.' She was so happy with him. She rode his mother and she was the same kind of horse. Once she switched her to the outside, it was a different horse. It seems both of them love to run on the outside.”

Credit River closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a fifth-place finish in the Cup & Saucer Stakes on October 10.

His stablemate Go Take Charge is by Will Take Charge out of Go Go Neigh.

The colt was seventh in his career bow on November 1, an eventful debut that saw him break inward at the start before hanging late in the 1 mile and 70-yard main track race.

There was less drama and more encouraging signs in Go Take Charge's second start on November 20.

Under Sahin Civaci, he was fifth, rolling late in the 1 1/16-mile main track race, the final race of his 2-year-old campaign.

Go Take Charge and Credit River are back in Hayes' Barn No. ?? on the Woodbine backstretch, training towards their respective 3-year-old debuts.

Hayes' focus will be on the short term for both.

“We have take things day-by-day. We're progressing with them. Credit River went away to [fellow trainer] Graham Motion for the winter, at Palm Meadows, and came back to me about two weeks ago. He had worked a handful or so of times. He's back to me and we're going forward with him. It was great to see him again.

“Go Take Charge is a maiden, but two turns is stamped all over him, being a half brother to Camp Creek [a stakes-winning son of Dunkirk, bred and owned by Williamson]. He's a lovely individual. He was gelded over the winter, which he needed to get his mind on the job. I thought he ran a credible race in his last race of the 2020. I'm looking forward to seeing him run, hopefully, we can get a maiden allowance at 7/8ths for him, and we can go from there. Really, it's great to have two very nice horses in my barn. Hopefully, it's a big year for both of them.”

Two horses with two very different personalities, noted Hayes.

“They're definitely opposites. They have different characters, for sure. Credit River is the more aggressive one. He'd be the underdog, the little man coming into the ring with big ideas, whereas the other lad is a big fella coming in with big ideas.”

As for Hayes, she's a trainer with big hopes and a detailed Queen's Plate plan.

She's looking forward to the challenge of seeing Hillsbrook silks, times two, represented in Canada's most historic horse race.

“I'm very grateful to Mr. Williamson for entrusting me with his horses. He breeds good horses. He invests a lot of money into the game and I say kudos to him for doing that. It would be wonderful to see his contributions to our sport showcased on Queen's Plate Day.”

Until that Sunday in August comes, Hayes will have plenty on her plate, inside and outside of the racetrack.

Every day, along with her husband, John Hayes, she works until the cows come home.

Quite literally.

The couple's “paradise” is the last farm north of Highway 7 on Major Mackenzie Drive, about a 25-minute drive from Woodbine.

“Johnny, I couldn't do any of what I do without him. He's at the racetrack early every morning, helping me. What he does is invaluable. We run a cattle farm – there are about 60 beef cattle – where we live, so we're busy. We also have a few broodmares with us here. There are plenty of farm animals around and it gives you a different perspective on the racing game. There's a lot to be said for the farm life. Both of us are busy people, and that's the way we like it. There's always something going on and you just roll with it.”

It also happens to be the blueprint Hayes employs with her up-and-coming pair of Queen's Plate hopefuls.

“Fingers crossed we can get there. Of course you dream about it becoming a reality. For now, there's work to be done and that's what I'll focus on.”

And at some point, she hopes to let her thoughts go elsewhere.

“It's okay to dream big. The great thing about this game is that's what it allows you to do.”

This story was originally published at ontarioracing.com, and is reposted here with permission.

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A 17-Year-Old Owner, A 3-Year-Old Colt, And One Queen’s Plate Dream

Joshua Attard knew the dark bay colt would be on the list, but he wanted to see it for himself.

In between his virtual online classes, the 17-year-old high school student from Brampton, Ontario, took a few seconds out of a full day to click on the Woodbine Racetrack website.

After another click, he landed on the page he was looking for, the one that heralded the arrival of the Queen's Plate Winterbook, the annual list of predictive rankings for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds nominated to the Canadian Triple Crown.

Attard scanned the page to find his horse.

That's right… his horse.

“It feels great, to be honest with you,” said the son of high-profile Woodbine trainer Kevin Attard. “I never expected at my age that I could own a horse that could be in the Queen's Plate.”

His hopes of being represented in Canada's iconic horse race (August 22 at Woodbine) lies on the hooves of Keep Grinding, listed at 25-1 in the Winterbook.

The Ontario-bred son of Tizway broke his maiden in impressive fashion last November to close out his 2020 campaign. Under jockey Justin Stein, Keep Grinding prevailed by a neck in the 1 1/16 mile main track maiden special weight race at Woodbine.

Bred by Huntington Stud Farm Corp, the 3-year-old is trained by Attard's grandfather, longtime horseman Tino Attard.

“I'm proud of my horse and I'm proud to share this journey with my father and his father, my grandfather. I couldn't ask for anything better. It feels really great. I knew he might be a Plate-caliber horse when he started to work as a 2-year-old last year. I worked on the backstretch at Woodbine last summer, so I had the chance to watch him work and he would put on a show. His first race on the grass, I knew he had some talent because he came from far out of it and the race was a little short for him. He's a two-turn horse. When he broke his maiden, that's when I said I had a Queen's Plate prospect.”

The name of the horse, who has one win from three career starts, is a nod to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

Attard came up with the idea after watching the young NHL star over the past few NHL seasons.

“I wanted to name my horse something that motivated me. I play hockey. When I go into the corners, I always tell myself to keep grinding for the puck. So, if I ever had the chance to own a horse I would name it Keep Grinding. It's something that motivates me and I hope it motivates other people.”

The thought of having a horse load into the starting gate for the $1 million classic is anything but a recent goal for Attard.

That dream came to light well before his first year of high school.

“I started going to the racetrack when I was around 10. I remember wanting to go because I was a little bored and I wanted to get out of the house. And the first time I went, it was the greatest feeling. I went to the backstretch to see the horses. I loved them. I would pet them and just enjoy spending time with them. I had a strong connection with them from the start and every year, my love of the horses and horse racing has grown.”

Attard, who was three when his father finished second with Alezzandro in the 2007 Queen's Plate, is hoping that this year's edition of the “Gallop for the Guineas” will see his family name written in the history books.

If Keep Grinding isn't the one crowned Plate champion, the younger Attard would be equally ecstatic to see his father lead a horse into the Woodbine winner's circle.

That would hardly be a longshot.

Kevin Attard has a pair of horses, namely, Stephen, and Haddassah, in the top five of the Queen's Plate Winterbook. He also has Truffle King (25-1), a dark bay son of Giant Gizmo, being pointed towards the Plate as well.

A bay son of Constitution-Naughty Holiday, Stephen is the second choice in the Winterbook at 4-1. He ended his 2-year-old campaign in style, taking all the spoils in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes.

Haddassah, a gelded son of Air Force Blue-Lady Haddassah, is listed as the 8-1 fourth choice in the Winterbook.

Stephen and Haddassah are both owned by the father-son team of Al and Bill Ulwelling.

“I'd still be cheering for whatever horse or horses my dad has in the Plate. If my dad has those three in the race and I have mine, I'll find a way to cheer for all four of them. Just because I own Keep Grinding doesn't mean I won't be rooting for my dad. But I know there's a long way to go before the big day.”

Until then, Attard will endeavor to keep the date of August 22nd in the back of his mind. Admittedly, it hasn't been an easy task and he knows it will only get tougher in the days and weeks ahead.

“I never would have expected, to be honest, to have a horse like this at my age. I'm really excited to have a horse that is eligible for the Queen's Plate, and that has a chance to be in the race. I know it's a hard road to get to the Queen's Plate, so we'll just hope the horse keeps developing and getting better each week.”

He likes what he's seeing in Keep Grinding.

“He's getting better each day, I think. He's bigger and stronger now and looks like he can handle the mile-and-a-quarter Plate distance. Hopefully, he keeps training well and he can be in the Queen's Plate. If I could win it, that would be even better. I'd probably start crying if we won.”

Attard is certain of one thing.

“If he does run in the Plate, I know he'll try his best and I'll be proud of him wherever he finishes. I know he'll live up to his name.”

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Todd Kabel, Six-Time Canadian Champion Jockey, Passes

Todd Kabel, one of Canada's most successful riders, has passed away.

Born on December 7, 1965, in McCreary, Manitoba, Kabel won 3,306 races over his illustrious career in the saddle.

He won the Sovereign Award for Champion jockey in Canada in 1992 and 1995, and four years running from 2003 to 2006. His major wins include a pair of Queen's Plates, with Regal Discovery in 1995, and with Scatter The Gold in 2000, and a 2004 Atto Mile score with Soaring Free.

Woodbine Entertainment offers its condolences to his family, friends and fans. Details on a celebration of life will be shared when they become available.

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Jeff Ruby Steaks: Landeros ‘A Big Plus’ For Derby Hopeful Gretzky The Great

Trainer Mark Casse sent Gretzky the Great to Turfway Park to take advantage of the track's new Tapeta synthetic surface. Now he hopes to take advantage of Turfway's signature race, Saturday's $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, offering the maximum 100 points to the winner and 40 for the runner-up toward Kentucky Derby qualifying.

With Churchill Downs having purchased Turfway, the flagship track bumped the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby's points to the winner from 20 to 100 for the first time, on par with the biggest prep races: Fair Grounds' Louisiana Derby, Gulfstream's Florida Derby, Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass, the Santa Anita Derby, Aqueduct's Wood Memorial and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby. As a result, Saturday's winner is assured of making the 20-horse Derby field, with the runner-up likely in the race. The Jeff Ruby also will award 20 Derby qualifying points for third and 10 for fourth.

A capacity field of twelve 3-year-olds was entered for Saturday's 1 1/8-mile race, with the Rodolphe Brisset-trained Tarantino the 3-1 favorite, Turfway's John Battaglia Memorial winner Hush of a Storm 4-1 and Gretzky the Great 5-1. First post is 1:12 p.m. ET with a stakes six pack spanning races 6-11 on the 12-race closing card for Turfway's winter-spring meet. The Jeff Ruby is race 11 (6:25 p.m. ET).

Gretzky the Great, who finished third in the Battaglia in his first start this year, has raced only on turf and synthetic surfaces, winning Woodbine's Grade 1 Summer Stakes on grass and its $100,000 prep before finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. As a Canadian-bred, a major objective for him all along has been the $1 million Queen's Plate staged over Woodbine's Tapeta course, but that isn't until late summer.

However, Casse believes Gretzky the Great is bred to love a true dirt surface. Should he win the Jeff Ruby, it could be awfully tempting for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber to roll the dice at Churchill Downs, where Gretzky the Great's sire, Nyquist, won the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Casse said that Gretzky the Great had minor ankle surgery after Breeders' Cup at Keeneland and was off until the Battaglia.

“The reason I sent Gretzky to Turfway is that I'm a big believer in Tapeta,” he said. “I just think it's much easier on them. After the Breeders' Cup, we missed some time with him. I knew that if I was going to make a dirt start that I was going to have to breeze him two or three more times. I went to the Battaglia simply because (the surface) is not as tiring. I was even concerned he was going to be a little short for the Battaglia, but I thought it would help him move forward. And then, the Jeff Ruby was definitely the next step.

“Is the Derby a possibility? I wouldn't rule it out. He would have to give us a tremendous performance, though, in the Jeff Ruby and then we'd have to come up with a plan on the Derby. But the Queen's Plate is definitely in our crosshairs.”

Gretzky the Great led most of the way after breaking on the rail in the Battaglia, tiring to third behind Hush of a Storm and Like the King, who also is in the Jeff Ruby.

“He definitely was a little short,” Casse said. “We drew the one hole. I told the rider, 'Look, I want you to put him into the race.' I don't like from the one hole letting horses run by you, and then they go in front of you and next thing you know you're last going (into the turn). Unfortunately, he caught some pressure from a long shot that ran head-and-head with him for three quarters of a mile. He put that horse away and then two more came at him — two more that had to be a lot fitter than we were. I was proud of our horse.”

Chris Landeros, who has ridden considerably for Casse while spending the winter riding at Turfway Park for the first time, rides Gretzky the Great for the first time in a race Saturday.

“I thought he tried and ran hard,” Casse said of the Battaglia. “But more importantly, he's trained very well since then. And I'm excited. I'm very happy we picked up Chris Landeros to ride him. In my opinion, nobody rides Turfway Park like Chris Landeros. So, I think that's a big plus for us.”

Casse, who also has Soup and Sandwich in Saturday's Florida Derby, already has secured one spot in the May 1 Kentucky Derby with Tampa Bay Derby winner Helium, a former workmate with Gretzky the Great. “I thought they were pretty comparable,” he said.

Landeros said he was aboard for Gretzky the Great's last two works at Turfway.

“He's been working really well,” he said. “I can't thank Mark and the owners enough for the opportunity. I really do think he's going to run a big race. His last race, it was the first time in a while he'd run. He needed the race and kind of got shut off a bit down the lane. He ran a game third, and I think he'll be ready to go.”

Landeros is hoping to cap a very good winter at Turfway with a big day Saturday. His 28 wins through Thursday rank No. 4, but his 25-percent win clip tops the leaders and he is narrowly in second behind Rafael Bejarano in purse earnings for the meet.

In addition to riding Gretzky the Great, he's riding Into Vanishing in the $150,000 Bourbonette Oaks, whose winner will receive 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks. Landeros has been on Into Vanishing for the 3-year-old filly's two wins at Turfway Park for trainer Jonathan Thomas, who is 8 for 17 at Turfway's winter-spring meet.

Landeros said his agent and brother in law, Brodie Wilkes, back in October brought up the idea of staying in Kentucky for the winter.

“I was a little hesitant at first, but as the fall came and went, I thought it was the right move,” he said. “I kind of wanted to rebuild a little bit, get some local guys on our side so when we come back in the spring to Keeneland and Churchill, we have the best momentum possible for us. Because it's not easy; it's tough. But I got great support between Mark Casse, Ian Wilkes, Jonathan Thomas, Rodolphe Brisset – those guys gave me great opportunities and we made the most of it. It should set up shop for a good spring and summer.”

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