The Derby, The Queen's Plate and Raising A Glass To Jaguar Hope

Horse racing is a sport where hope springs eternal. A losing wager can be overcome in mere minutes at the next call to post. Retiring champions, though never forgotten, lose their place in the headlines to the next round of stars on their way to the starting gate. Despite this never-ending potential for rejuvenation, the game can break your heart. From Real Quiet's triple crown denying photo-finish loss to Victory Gallop to the bet you meant to make on Arcangues, some losses just stick with you. None of the above can compare to the tragic loss too soon of a horse dearly loved.

In December of last year, I wrote a story for Down The Stretch newspaper about Wendy Uzelac and Jaguar Hope. Wendy represents the ideal of an advocate for horses, working tirelessly against horse-slaughter with Alex Brown and the Fans of Barbaro, yet still having time to care for her two off-track thoroughbreds - Jaguar Hope and Nannie's Rio.

I am sad to report that Jaguar Hope left us earlier this week after a freak accident in the paddock leading to a bad dislocation of the fetlock joint in his back left leg causing Jag to be put down. My heart goes out to Wendy, who took such great care of the horse she loved so much.

Wendy and Jag in a smiling competition.


Though Jag is now racing in sunnier pastures, he has left behind an important legacy for his fellow thoroughbreds having proven that he was more than just a racehorse. Jag was a companion, a loved one and an aspiring eventer. Through their combined perseverance, Wendy and Jag will have inspired many new owners to adopt and re-train an off-track thoroughbred and create all new stories of their own.

To honour Jag, I've donated US$50 to Canter, Michigan, an organization I know Wendy puts a lot of effort into. If you've been touched by Jag's story, I invite you to click on that link and make a donation of your own.

To Jag: He raced, he loved, he won!


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On Saturday, Turfway Park hosts the Lane's End Stakes, which could propel West Side Bernie into the ever-growing list of Derby hopefuls. Named after West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein, the dark bay colt has a couple of wins over the Turfway synthetic already including the G3 Kentucky Cup. Edgar Prado takes the mount and I have high expectations of a horse that finished sixth, though beaten just three lengths, in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile won by Midshipman over a game Square Eddie.

On the Canadian front, Square Eddie has been named the winter-book favourite for the 150th running of the Queen's Plate. The current top ten for the first leg of Canada's Triple Crown are:

Square Eddie 5-2
Utterly Cool 6-1
Active Duty 10-1
El Brujo 12-1
Van Lear Rose (f) 12-1
Parabola 15-1
Keino West 15-1
Mean Green 20-1
Stardust Ziggy 20-1
Flip for the Coin 20-1

Canadian readers may have noticed a slew of great changes on the HorsePlayer Interactive website that will make online wagering a much easier process. Already fitted with programs, replays and live-action charts detailing will-pays and probable payouts - the site has undergone a face lift and I'm liking the links to free Brisnet reports and easy access to paid past performances. The 2009 Woodbine thoroughbred campaign kicks off April 4th.