"Captain Sunburst" Wins

After Captain Sunburst broke his maiden in his first start. It put his happy owners in a very good situation. However he came out of his maiden win with sore shins. We were now prepared to do the right thing, and give our promising colt the time he needed to get over his bucked shins. He wouldn't run again to the fall. His next win would come on October 21st, 1982. This win would be his first on the turf course. The race would be run at a mile on the Marshall Turf Course. There had been some rainy weather conditions prior to the race, as the turf course came up as soft conditions, and was officially listed as yielding.

Captain Sunburst was ridden by Richard Dos Ramos in this race. The Captain broke alertly and was allowed to relax and find his best stride, and settle in 4th position. Captain Sunburst stayed that way until they turned into the long home stretch. He was clear on the outside and was responding to Rick's urging. After the crossing of the main track it was apparent that Captain Sunburst was going to win his second race. He pulled away to win by 1 and 1/2 lenghts going away. The syndicate was on cloud nine in the winner's circle. The winter of 1982-83 would be filled with dreams and optimism for his three year old year. In the win picture for Captain Sunburst's second win. You could clearly see why I added the Sunburst to this handsome colt's name. Also of note. Was the decision to use the beautiful orange and yellow racing silks. Used by the D'angelo brothers for Captain Dawn. That was an appropriate nice touch.

Captain Sunburst had a very good winter going into his three year old year. He came to the racetrack in fine shape. He was looking forward to getting back to the races. His training went very well. He made his first start as a 3 year old, at Woodbine on May 21, 1983. Richard Dos Ramos was back aboard "The Captain" for his first start as a 3 year old. The race would be run at a 1 mile & 70 yards on the main track. I believe that this race was taken off the grass because of a lot of rain prior to this race being run. The main track conditions for the race did not come up muddy. However the racetrack came up deep and tiring. Over the winter the syndicate and my father had discussed the future plans for our promising star. We all agreed to drop the nomination for the Queens Plate. We all felt that Captain Sunburst was at his best on the turf course. From the beginning of the racing year. We decided to point Captain Sunburst for the final two thirds of Canada's tripe crown. The "Prince Of Wales" was the second leg, which at that time was run at a distance of 1 mile and 3/8 on the turf at Fort Erie. The final leg the "Breeders Stakes" was ran back at Woodbine at 1 1/2 miles on the Marshall Turf Course.

Daryl Wells announced "There at the Post, There Off". Captain Sunburst never had an easy trip in this race. He never looked comfortable racing on the track. Captain Sunburst was trying hard, however he looked like he was laboring badly, trying to run on the tiring race. Turning into the stretch drive, and the final 1/4 mile of the race. It appeared that Captain Sunburst would only finish fourth or third at best. However Richard Dos Ramos had other plans, he wasn't beat yet, and either was the "Captain". In the final 1/16 to the finish line. The outcome of this race would radically change. A determined Captain Sunburst and Richard Dos Ramos stormed up the inside to pass all of the now dead tired front runners. The "Captain and "Rick" had pulled a rabbit out of the hat, and like magic had given up a very exciting first win of his 1983 campaign. I do have the video of this race, and hope to have it uploaded to this post in the near future.

Win number four was a very impressive race. Even though Captain Sunburst was not eligible for the Queens Plate. He next start would see him run in the final prep for the Queen's Plate. This allowance race was run at 1 mile & 1/8, and was called the "Semi-final". The date of this race was June 18, 1983. My father liked the distance for him. However he wasn't that happy to run him on the main track. My dad was looking for grass races for our up coming star. The Plate "Semi-final" came up a very small field, it ran with only 5 horses. So my dad entered the Captain in this race. There would be a change of jockeys for this race. Robbie King would be Captain Sunburst's pilot for this winning race.

After the start Robbie relaxed Captain Sunburst, and took him back to last place. The pace was fast in this small field. Robbie and the Captain were content to bide there time, and wait to do battle later on in this race. In the run down the back stretch. Young Captain Sunburst looked just like his namesake "Captain Dawn". Robbie started to ask the Captain to pick up the pace. He was ready to delivery. Captain Sunburst glided up on the outside and quickly moved in to second place by the time the front runner had reached the 3/8 pole. It was now very obvious that Captain Sunburst had this race in complete control. He quickly soared by the front runner, who was starting to shorten his stride. Captain Sunburst and Robbie King put on a great show in the home stretch. They came to the finish in fine style, winning this race by and impressive 8 lenghts, easily! After this race we were all starting to second guess ourselves. Did we make the right decision by dropping Captain Sunburst out of the Queen's Plate? His winning time for a mile and 1/8 was the impressive time of 1.51.4, and his final quarter time was also very impressive. This race was his best effort on the main track in his short career. I also hope to include the video of this race, to this posting.

The climax of this odyssey would take place on July 24th at Woodbine. Our Captain Sunburst would win the first division of the "Heresey Stakes". It is difficult to put into words, what winning this race meant to the syndicate, to the Wolfe Racing Stable, and to Captain Dawn! There are a lot of people, very wealthy people who venture into the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Business. Very few ever achieve the thrill of winning a stakes race. We did, with a very talented and courageous racehorse named "Captain Sunburst".

Here is the description of the race. We had very good fortune going into the race. We acquired the services of Brain Swatuk. Brain, I nicknamed him (Brain the Lion) was one of the most prolific jockeys to ever ride at Woodbine. He was an outstanding talent. It was a pleasure to work with him, and to watch him ride. Captain Sunburst was getting more confident, and getting better with ever start. He came into the Heresy in perfect condition. It was a full field, the Captain broke from the 3 post position. I was excited as Daryl Wells got the race under way. "There at the Post, There Off". Captain Sunburst broke well. Brain got him to relax, and they had a good trip going into the clubhouse turn. The pace of the race was moderate. Brain was deciding what there next move would be. Then there was some concern. About 5 horses ran by Captain Sunburst in the run down the backstretch, as they stayed to the inside. It made me feel nervous. However Brain Swatuk the great professional he was. Did not panic. He knew he was on a very talented racehorse. He would give Captain Sunburst every chance, in order to win the race. Brain kept the Captain to the inside. By the time the field turned into the home stretch. Captain Sunburst was about 5 lenghts from the leader. The good news was that he had a clear path to run. Brian gave Captain Sunburst the signal it was time to go! I can still hear the call from Daryl Wells, "And hear Comes Captain Sunburst"! There was a burst from our champion, a "Sunburst". The 5 lenght disadvantage, evaporated in the blink of an eye. It was victory! Our Captain Sunburst had won the Heresy Stakes going away by 2 lenghts. It was a fantastic day I will never, ever forget.

The video posted on YouTube of Captain Sunburst's Heresy win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XhY5VOwZSE

Brain Swatuk came back after the race, and told us that we had an exceptional racehorse on our hands. We were all very confidant going into the "Prince Of Wales". Captain Sunburst went into the race as second favorite. Brian Swatuk was very confident that we would win the race. However it wasn't to be. During the running of the race. Captain Sunburst had suffered a serious injury. He didn't race well and only beat one horse. He pulled up lame, and had to vanned off in the ambulance. Captain Sunburst had badly torn the tendin in his right front leg. His life wasn't in danger. However his very promising racing career was over. It was an unfair and sad ending to a very happy story. Captain Sunburst won 5 races from only 13 starts, including one stakes win.