Mt. Tabor Rd.

Mt Tabor Rd galloping out after winning the Colin Stakes Race at Woodbine, July 6th, 1980.Ridden by Joey Belowus. Photo by Niagara Exposure Photography Today I will remember a fine racehorse that was a fond memory of the Sheldon Wolfe Racing Stable. We enjoyed obtaining Mt. Tabor Rd from a $16,000 maiden claiming race.On May 9th, 1980. My dad claimed Mt. Tabor Rd. from a $16,000 maiden clmaining race at Woodbine. it was the second race of his career. Mt Tabor Rd ran his debut in a madien allowance race on April 27th, and finsihed out of the money. The Gord Huntley barn would then drop Mt. Tabor Rd. in the much cheaper race, add blinkers and their regular rider David Clark. My dad decided to put in a claim for Mt Tabor Rd. for our excellent owner John Delongis. Based on his sire Cpatain Cee Jay was a good grass horse, My father had seen Captain Cee Jay run and win in California. I went over to the grandstand to watch Mt. Tabor Rd race, and pick him up in the paddock after the race. If we were successful in claiming him. The gate opened for his second race of his life. Mt. Tabor Rd. would spring to the lead, and quickly opened up a comanding lead in this race. Mt. Tabor Rd would cruice to a comanding 9 1/2 lenghts victory. With jockey David Clark just stering him. I was very excited to pick him up and bring him back to our barn. My dad had just claimed a very talented racehorse for Mr. Delongis!!! We were all very excited to have a very promissing 2 year old in our barn. We were happy he was claimed for Mr. John Delongis. He and his wife Helan. Had moved to Buffalo, NY. As Mr. Delonglis was being treated at the Cancer hospital in Buffalo. John was a long time racehorse owner based at Penn National racetrack. Mr. Delognis in horse racing career had, never owned a Stakes caliber racehorse until now!!! My dad would run Mt. Tabor Rd on June 29th at Woodbine in an allownace race going 5 1/2 furlongs. Joey Belowus would be Mt Tabor Rd's jockey. This race would be a used as a prep race for the uncoming Colin Stakes Race! Mt. Tabor would have no problem with the jump up in class and defeat a decent allownace field of 2 year olds and winning this race again with ease. I had enjoyed to be the groom of Mt Tabor Rd. He is was very well behaved and it was very exciting looking after a potential Stakes caliber racehorse. Only July 6th Mt. Tabor Rd would run back in the Colin Stakes race as one of the contending in this Stakes Race. This race would a match race between Mt Tabor Rd and a very fine 2 year old trained by Laurie Silvera named Solo Guy. These two fine 2 year olds would battle for the first 1/2 mile of the 6 furlong race. Mt Tabor Rd would win the battle and cruice home to win the Colin Stakes race with authority! Giving me my first Stakes win as a groom and the first stakes win for our fine owner Mr. John Delongis and his wife Helen. John would say the the Mt Tabor Rd winning the Colin Stakes, would be one of the best day's of his life!!!

Mt. Tabor Rd Colin Stakes winning photo

Mt Tabor Rd's prep allowance race winning photo!

The All Time Jockey Standings For The Sheldon Wolfe Racing Stable

I recently went though all of the win photos in my father's taining career. Which bagan in 1972 until he retired in 2002. I thought it would be fun to tabulate all of the jcokeys who rode winners for the Sheldon Wolfe Racing Stable. Jokcey Irwin Driedger was our all time leading jockey with 28 wins. I will post the standings.

photo by Michael Burns Jocekys Wins 1. Irwin Driedger 28 2. Richard Dos Ramos 21 3. Brain Swatuk 20 4. Robbie King Jr. 19 5. Mike Quong 14 6. Joey Belowus 11 6. Lloyd Duffy 11 6. Paul Souter 11 7. Dave Penna 10 8. Gary Melanson 7 8. Micky Walls 7 9. Jim McAleney 6 10.Ray Sabourin 5 10.Sidney Fenech 5 11.Gary Stahlbaum 4 11.Jeff Fell 4 12.William McMahon 3 12.Chris Rogers 3 12.Tyrone Harding 3 13.Larry Attard 2 13.Sandy Hawley 2 13.Dan Becken 2 13.Jack Lauzon 2 13.Mike Currie 2 13.Don Seymour 2 13.Stanley Spencer 2 13.Jorge Velasquez 2 13.Larry Melanson 2 14.Tommy Sisum 1 14.Richard Grubb 1 14.John Leblanc 1 14.Avelino Gomez 1 14.George Hosang 1 14.Hugo Dittfach 1 14.Dave Borden 1 14.Jimmy Fazio 1 14.Doug Copeland 1 14.David Piques 1 14.James Standring 1 14.Ken Skinner 1 14.Todd Kabel 1 14.Paul Ravera 1 14.Chris Griffith 1 14.Paul Grimaldi 1 14.Daniel David 1 14.Jose Santos 1 14.Francisco Torres 1 14.Charles Woods Jr. 1 14.Jason Lumpkins 1 Stake Wins Jockey Wins Dave Penna 3 Brian Swatuck 3 Chris Rogers 1 Larry Melanson 1 William McMahon 1 Richard Dos Ramos 1 Francisco Torres 1 Robert King Jr. 1

Remember The Twin Towers

This post represents a good memory from when I was working at the racetrack. In 1991 I spent that summer working at Churchill Downs located in Louisville, Kentucky U.S.A. Each workday, when my work with the horses was done. To relax and enjoy some fun leisure time. I enjoyed putting together a jigsaw puzzle that I had purchased. The jigsaw puzzle was a beautiful photo of the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center located in NYC, in lower Manhattan. Myself, and a few friends at the racetrack. Enjoyed the challenge of putting the puzzle together. It was a fun challenging experience. At the same time enjoying some great comradery . I was delighted with the results. When the jigsaw puzzle was finally completed. Bringing the beautiful scene of lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center to life. I celebrated by having the Jigsaw Puzzle framed and it still proudly hangs in my bedroom. A constant reminding of Happy Days from my past! Always remember the good days. Enjoying those happy memories. That could create more happiness to come in the future!

Sleepy Eyes Todd- Will Travel, Will Win

I have become a very big fan of a very fine racehorse named "Sleepy Eyes Todd". I was introduced to Sleepy Eyes Todd when was a 3 year old. Todd ran a great race and was a good and determined second place finish to Owendale in the Oklahoma Derby in 2019. Sleepy Eyes Todd connections decided to run him back in the $100,000 JEFFREY A. HAWK MEMORIAL to finish out his 3 year old campaign, at Remington Park. Jockey Ry Eikelberry received the mount. Ry rode a perfect race. Helping Todd run a huge race beating a decent field of older horses.

Then in 2020 during the problematic Covid 19 year! We enjoyed watching the racing during the Spring Meet at Fonner Park, located in Grand Isle Nebraska. Sleepy Eyes Todd would travel to Nebraska. We would get to enjoy watching Todd win! Sleepy Eyes Todd would lead from gate to wire to a 6 ½-length victory in the $54,000 Bosselman / Gus Fonner Stakes. Very well ridden by Jockey Quincy Hamilton.

Then in the summer Sleepy Eyes Todd exciting year would continue. This time traveling to the U.S.A. State of West Virginia, and to Charles Town Racecourse for running of the $600,000 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic. Showing an enjoyment of running at less then a mile (Bull Ring) racetracks. Todd would again take complete control of this race and win big, pulling away to win by 7 lengths. Sleepy Eyes Todd was ridden to victory by jockey Carlos Delgado.

Then on Breeders Cup Day, at Keeneland Race Course. Located in Lexington, Kentucky. Sleepy Eyes Todd would compete in $150,000 Lafayette Stakes. Todd would be ridden with lots of confidence by Joel Rosario. Sleep Eyes Todd would show no speed in this race. At the 3/8 pole. Todd would be trailing the field in last place! However when the real race began to unfold. Sleepy Eyes Todd would rally and win going away in convincing style. Pulling away to win the Lafayette Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. Running the 7 furlongs in 1:21.4.

Then to finish out an outstanding year of traveling, running and winning. Sleepy Eyes Todd and his connections. Would take Todd to south Florida and Gulfstream Park. To compete in the Mr. Prospector Stakes race. Again at the 7 furlong distance. Sleepy Eyes Todd would run a beautiful tactical race. Coming from a comfortable position in 4th place. To rally and hold off a late charge by the talented Firenze Fire. To win the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes by 1/2 length. Sleepy Eyes Todd would receive and beautifully timed ride by very talented jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Sleepy Eyes Todd is eying the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational. Taking place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach on Saturday, January 23, 2021. I wish Todd well and look forward watching Sleepy Eyes Todd, compete in this major race. This gallant and courageous racehorse. Does deserve to race in this prestigious Grade 1 Race.

Housebuster- Speed Champion

Another great and talented racehorse that I became a fan of. Was the champion sprinter named "Housebuster". I use to love watch Housebuster race. The speedy and determined son of Mt. Livermore. Use to show blazing speed from the starting gate. Then keep very aggressive fighting with and antagonizing his opponents to the end of the race. That can explain why Housebuster was voted champion Sprinter in the United States 2 consecutive years 1990 and 1991. I got the fun experience of being around this great racehorse a little bit. As a good friend of mine Joe was the final groom to look after Housebuster in his great career. Housebuster apeared to be a kind and very relaxed gentleman off of the racetrack. Sadly Housebuster was badly injured in the running of the 1991 running of the Breeders Cup Sprint. Becasue of the substained inury. It ended Housebuster's amazing career. I can only assume that Hall of Jockey Craig Perret enjoyed and loved to ride this great racehorse! Trainer Warren A. (Jimmy) Croll Jr. did a wonderful job developing and directing Housbuster, to a "Hall of Fame" career!!!

Sire Mt. Livermore Grandsire Blushing Groom Dam Big Dreams Damsire Great Above Sex Stallion Foaled 1987 Country United States Color Dark Brown Breeder Blanche P. Levy & Murphy Stable Owner Robert P. Levy Trainer Ronald L. Benshoff Warren A. Croll Jr. Record 22: 15-2-1 Earnings $1,229,696 Major Wins Morven Stakes (1989) Hutcheson Stakes (1990) Jerome Handicap (1990) Withers Stakes (1990) Lafayette Stakes (1990) Derby Trial (1990) King's Bishop Stakes (1990) Spectacular Bid Stakes (1990) Swale Stakes (1990) Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (1991) Carter Handicap (1991) Vosburgh Stakes (1991) Forego Handicap (1991) Awards American Champion Sprint Horse (1990, 1991) Honors United States Racing Hall of Fame (2013) 1991 Carter Stakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdzDs37UgNA

Rare Photos Found- Bull Myson Debut

Today doing some rummaging around the house. I discovered some excellent photos of one of the best racehorses that was ever part of the Sheldon Wolfe Racing Stable. His name was Bull Myson. My father Sheldon purchased him from the Keeneland Fall yearling sale for a nominal amount. Bull Myson was sired a European Horse name Peterhof. Bull Myson was a very nice horse to work with and be around. He was very fast and talneted. One of my biggest disappointment working in the horse racing business. That we failed to win at least one Stakes Race with Bull Myson. However Bull Myson will always be a very pleasant memory of my days working in The Sport of Kings. Bull Myson debut occurred on a beautiful Spring day at Greenwood Racetrack. Which use to exist in the eastern beaches area of Toronto. The date was April 2, 1989. The person who was photographer for these great photos is unknown. Bull Myson was ridden to victory by jockey Irwin Driedger.

The video of the winning race; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW53FThytyo

John Henry "The One & Only"

One of the greatest Thoroughbreds to entertain the racing world to the Max. Was the great "John Henry"! Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally also became a household name in the racing world. With the success and status achieved by this fantastic champion! One of the greatest champions in the history of Thoroughbred Horse Racing!

I enjoyed many times in the 1980's watching this fantastic and determined racehorse race! I even had the enjoyment of meeting John Henry in his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park, located in Lexington!


March 9, 1975 – October 8, 2007

Ole Bob Bowers (USA) x Once Double (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
                      

  Race record

83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, 9 thirds, US$6,591,860

Owner- Dotsam Stable Trainer- Ron McAnally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c9gre1rB88 1982 Santa Anita Hdcp.