The Comeback Of Daddy Mac

Daddy Mac had more than a little luck on his side on December 6 when he was nearly fatally involved in an accident on Hwy. 401 headed to Woodbine Racetrack

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Bob McIntosh told Trot Insider that his assistant trainer Rick Steward stepped up and saved the life of the five-year-old son of Camluck - Sanfranchine.

"The horse didn't have the lead shank on him and the officer, he was ready to shoot the horse instead of him getting loose on the 401. Rick spoke right up and said don't do anything and he grabbed him by the halter," explained McIntosh.

"He [Rick] was banged up himself. His ribs were bruised badly and he refused to leave the scene to go to the ambulance. He was actually a real hero. He's a great employee. Couldn't ask for more."

After avoiding serious injuries and an armed officer, Daddy Mac was given a week off to rest. McIntosh says illness and more poor weather prevented the horse from getting back on track sooner.

Last Sunday, however, Daddy Mac made his 2009 debut a triumphant one at Windsor Raceway.

"He hadn't raced in about a month and I trained him up pretty good at Windsor the Tuesday before the Sunday and I thought he might take a race to tighten up but he's just a great little horse and he had a big charge coming home. Dougie [driver Doug McNair] really loved him," said McIntosh.

Daddy Mac left the gate from Post 8 in the 11th race on January 18 and was parked to the first quarter. The bay finally settled in seventh but tipped back out from third-over just before the half. Daddy Mac moved three-wide down the backstretch and charged up around the final turn. Using a :28.1 final frame, the 3-1 second choice glided past the heavy favourite Blue Creek Bad Boy with ease to win in 1:55.3.

With 10 wins under his belt, Daddy Mac has banked $238,663 for Bob McIntosh and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., of Leamington, Ont.

"I bred him and raised him and bred his mother actually too. As a two-year-old he just wasn't mature, we just kicked him out," says McIntosh.

But the naturally calm campaigner came back and enjoyed a great three-year-old year placing in a series of stakes. He followed his sophomore season up with a solid four-year-old campaign competing mostly on the WEG circuit.

"He seems to be coming back this year in great shape so I'm hoping for a good five-year-old year," says McIntosh. "Hopefully we're going to work our way down to Woodbine. We're racing at Windsor again on Sunday night - its nice and close, only five minutes away from me - but he'll eventually show up at Woodbine and I hope he can work his way up to the top class."

Regardless of what level Daddy Mac competes at, McIntosh says he is just glad to have him around.

To view Sunday's entries, click here.