When Nicholas Boyd positions his homebred two-year-old pacing filly Forever Remembered on the gate for

the first time tonight at Mohawk Racetrack, he will be doing so in honour of his best friend Collin Cureatz, who passed away two years ago to the day.

“Collin and I were childhood friends,” says Boyd. “We met when we were seven playing hockey together and became close friends. Collin lived with my family for a few summers, then we later lived together for four years while attending the University of Guelph. He became like a brother to me as we shared many of the same interests and hobbies.”

Cureatz was a Presidents Scholar and after graduating Guelph University with honours and being in the top fourth percentile of MCAT scores, the 23-year-old decided to bike across Canada to celebrate his future endeavors in the medical world.

“On his ninth day of biking (June 29, 2007), he sent me a text message at 3:30 p.m. saying he was just outside Banff where he would stay the night. At 4:05 p.m., he was struck and killed by a drunk driver at the wheel of a one-ton U-Haul, who crossed onto the paved shoulder. He was killed instantly from severe head trauma.”

While Cureatz never owned a horse, Boyd says he took an interest in the sport thanks to his own involvement.

“He would attend the races periodically, always try to watch on the TV if I was racing and made sure to always ask how I did. His involvement in the business was holding a groom's license with the ORC and playing on a hockey team made up of all horsemen. He had always expressed interest in owning horses later in life.”

Forever Remembered, a Rustler Hanover filly out of Its A Sweet Life born on May 6, 2007, was named in honour of Cureatz and his initials and hockey number are printed on Boyd’s race bike along with the words “Love Lives Forever", which is also tattooed over his heart.

“A few names were tossed around without much consideration. When Collin passed away, it only became fitting we would name her in his memory.

“Her mother was the first horse I ever owned who had a non-descript racing career, but became a pet. In complete contrast to her mother, Forever Remembered is very easy to handle and quite easy on herself. She trained down like most other babies, sometimes showing promise, other days looking fairly normal. The more she trained, the more she began to show a willingness to be competitive. She's not hard to notice either given her diminutive stature.”

Boyd qualified Forever Remembered, who is eligible to the Ontario Sires Stakes program, last Monday finishing a half-length behind the Michel Ouellet-trained Chocolate Truffle in 2:00.

“I really did not expect her to make it, but lo and behold she did,” says the 25-year-old Guelph resident. “She qualified above expectations. She was a little grabby in the hole, relaxed when she made the front and finished out well.”

Boyd will send Forever Remembered postward in tonight’s second race starting from Post 10.

To view Monday’s entries, click here.