Wyoming Downs 2007 Season Recap

Wyoming Downs 2007 Season Recap

The 2007 racing season at Wyoming Downs officially got under way at 1:05pm on Saturday, June 30^th, as over two thousand people saw Genes Effort, trained by Sherman Hadley, win the first race of the day in the Wyoming All Breeds Futurity Trials, covering the 350 yards in a fast 17.93 seconds and returning a juicy $23.20 payoff to all those holding a win ticket on this two year old mare.

The ninth and final race of the opening day card featured Rodeo Champ overtaking Restrictions Apply down the stretch in the 6 furlongs Inaugural Handicap to win a nose bob photo finish and a trip to the winners circle.

Sunday, July 1^st, featured the $3525 Wasatch Handicap for three years old and up, going 300 yards. 2007 runner up trainer Jay Pitcher, sent out Classy Make N Money with Jay Conklin aboard against a field of nine other hopefuls and watched as his 6 year old gelding made the trip to the winners circle and paid $24.20 for a $2 win ticket.

Day three of the fifteen day meet featured the trials of the Silver Dollar Futurity. Posting the fastest time of the six trials, at 17.56 seconds, Jw A Royal Trip went on to win the $57,119 Silver Dollar Futurity Final on July 21^st under the guidance of Jay Conklin.

Stylish Dreams, a three year old gelding, began a streak of winners circle trips in the ninth and final race of the day in the Dusty Stimpson/Jody Behunin Memorial Derby. Stylish Dreams, a perfect 3 for 3 at the meet, ended up being one of four horses that were three time winners in 2007 at Wyoming Downs. Stylish Dreams went on win the $13,530 Diamond Classic Derby on August 12^th, covering the 400 yards in 19.75 seconds.

Week three got off with a bang as the the trials for the Blane Schvaneveldt/Cowboy Classic Futurity Trails took place on Saturday, July 14^th. Stolawin, who ran second in the fifth race at odds of 2-1 went on two weeks later to win the finals.

Chief Runamuck took home top honors winning the $16,435 Wyoming All Breed Derby Final. Under the guidance of jockey Cody House, Chief Runamuck emerged as the winner of a five horse photo finish and returned a hefty $37.40 for the win ticket price. Runner up in the Diamond Classic Derby, to Stylish Dreams, this will be a horse to watch in the future.

Cam Colledge, the tracks leading jockey in 2007, took the undercard on Saturday, July 21^st, winning the days ninth race, the $11,268 Silver Dollar Derby guiding Splash Talk to a 1-1/4 length victory over Making Jake Proud and Juan Special Leader to round out the trifecta.

Fans went home happy on Sunday, July 22^nd, when Bf Makin a Move, another three time winner in 2007, covered the 300 yard course in the days fifth race in 15.19 seconds and returned to the winners circle paying $34.00 for the win.

On July 28^th, those in attendance at Wyoming Downs and those watching at any of the fifty simulcast outlets across the United States were in for a treat as Snowbound Superstar, the Los Alamitos shipper, dominated the first trial of the 870 yard AQHA Red Cell. Snowbound Superstar, a perfect 6 for 6 entering the race, toyed with Weber and the rest of the field for the first 200 yards and then went on to set a new track record winning the trial by almost 8 lengths.

In the other Red Cell trial that day, Runbyu, a local track favorite, squared off with CB Thunderhoofs and made easy work out of the five horse field, putting away the competition by nearly 9 lengths at the finish. Both horses squared off in the finals of 870 yard AQHA  Red Cell and ran 1-2 at the finish line two weeks later.

Sunday, July 29^th, saw the favorites win nine out of the ten races on the day. Diamonds Tiny Effort spoiled the perfect day by winning the $29,700 Gary Waite Memorial. Under the direction of jockey Justin Vanderwoude, and trainer Bob Pence, Diamonds Tiny Effort at 7-1 edged out Ce Little Joe Cleat, Be the Miracle and Lovey Buddy at the finish line to complete the tracks first .10 cent superfecta day returning $636.50 to one lucky bettor.

Ockley Green, a 4 year old gelding ridden by Cam Colledge, became a two time winner in the eighth race on Saturday, August 4^th. Ockley Green would go on to  finish the 2007 meet with a perfect 3 for 3 record by winning the closing days fifth race in style to take home the trophy for trainer Mike Taylor in the Bettie Bullock Handicap.

Jockey Bret Anderson, won both trials of the 100 yard Don Pedro Dash, guiding home Cartella Star in the first leg and three time winner Bf Makin A Move in the second leg. Incidentally, both horses covered the length of the football field in exactly the same time – 6.46 seconds. Bf Makin A Move would go on to win as the favorite in the Finals of the 100 yard Don Pedro Dash, finishing second was Posh Lee at 12-1 setting up a $762.40 quinella for one lucky bettor.  Look for more exciting Dash’s at the Downs in 2008.

Smart Dawn, became the fourth horse to have a perfect record at the meet as this three year old mare went wire to wire in the 89 & Under Finals on Saturday, August 11^th. Smart Dawn, breaking out of post position number 10 with Cody Jensen  aboard for trainer Mike Taylor, covered the 350 yard contest in 17.69 seconds and established a new track record.

August 12th featured the up and coming stars of Wyoming Downs as the Diamond Classic Derby and the Diamond Classic Futurity Finals were held.  Sadies Fancy Lane, a two year old filly, won the eighth and featured race with Joel Cruz aboard, covering the 350 yards in a fast 17.62 for trainer Miguel Rodriquez.

Closing day featured an eleven race card highlighted by seven stakes or handicap races. The highlight of the day was Streaking 209 breaking out last of the gate and coming on strong to win the $16,500 West Valley Carstar Finals for owner/trainer Mike Ivie. Covering the 330 yards in 16.88 seconds, Streaking 209 returned the days highest win payoff at $20.80

Overall the 2007 meet at Wyoming Downs saw an average daily attendance of 4.2% over the prior year and an a average handle per day increase of 43.8% to over $100,000 per day. Wagering on Wyoming Downs was available at OTB’s nationwide and good exposure of the Evanston track was featured on TVG and ESPN.com

The Wyoming Downs 2008 race season should prove even more promising as the track looks to add racing dates, increased purses, more thoroughbred races and additional AQHA races.

For more information on any upcoming events, year round simulcasting at any of the Wyoming Downs OTB sites or the 2008 racing schedule, please check out the website at www.wyomingdowns.com or call 307-789-0521.