“I Never Dreamed Of Winning A Breeders Crown"

When Travis Umphrey began the voyage from his native Alberta to Ontario in early 2009, the last thing on his mind was notching a Breeders Crown

victory.

Now, three years later, the conditioner is feeling right at home, courtesy of his stable star, Monkey On My Wheel, who captured the $501,950 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace this past Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.

The sophomore stopped the timer in a career best clocking of 1:49.3 for Umphrey, who shares ownership with breeder Mac Nichol.

The results are not too shabby for a horseman who has admitted there was a time he wasn’t sure if he’d even be training horses.

“There was some consideration for me not even to move to Ontario from Alberta,” Umphrey said. “With the race dates being reduced in Alberta, the decision was either to move to Ontario to train or find a different job in Alberta. It’s always hard to leave your home, friends and family, but I made the right choice.”

Monkey On My Wheel is without question the top horse in Umphrey’s barn this season, as the bay filly by Mach Three--Legislation has earned $741,034 this year, with the $300,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final still on the horizon on November 12.

The 10-time winner continues to lead her rivals in the Ontario Sires Stakes program this campaign, something that Umphrey takes great pride in.

“The main reason why we paid her into the Breeders Crown is because it fit into her schedule quite nicely and it was at Woodbine,” Umphrey said. “I never dreamed of winning a Breeders Crown, but then again not many people do. When I left Alberta I was just trying to make a living.”

Umphrey, 42, had his pupil is top form heading into the final after a second-place finish in her elimination. Even so, he would have been satisfied with a top-three finish.

“I thought she had a legitimate shot to hit the board, but I didn’t think anyone could beat Drop The Ball,” he said. “She raced unbelievable in her elimination and I would have been very happy with a second or third-place finish.”

A mere $5,500 buyback purchase as a yearling by Nichol, Monkey On My Wheel has stashed away a handsome $956,034 in her career.

She will make her final appearance of the season in the $300,000 OSS Super Final, but will return next season according to Umphrey.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “One more race then she will get some well deserved time off. She seems to be maturing as the year goes on, so that only helps when looking forward to next year.”

For Umphrey, it’s another journey he never expected to happen, but one he’s happy to be on.

(WEG)