After 15 years of breeding and owning Standardbreds in Alberta, Gordon Empey, 70, officially made the jump to the training ranks last summer, and the resident of Bowden is glad he did so.
Empey is one of the new faces at Cal Expo. He has come down from the ‘Great White North’ to enjoy the warmer climes of Sacramento and race a few Standardbreds.
A 70-year-old native of Alberta, Eprey only came to harness racing about 15 years ago and has now developed a love of the sport on all fronts.
“I’d been to the races with my uncle when I was in my 20s, but just as a fan,” he explained. “I guess I was about 55 when I was re-introduced to the game by some friends, then that led to buying some broodmares and going on from there.”
At first, Empey continued farming while breeding harness performers on the side, but it really got into his blood. “It was about seven or eight years ago that we started racing more and more of them, and then last July I took out my trainer’s license.”
Thanks to prodding from fellow trainers Steve Crump and Quentin Schneider, Empey decided to give Cal Expo a try and is happy he took the journey. “I brought down a couple of yearlings, an unraced two-year-old and three racehorses and so far it’s been a great experience.
“When you look at the weather report and see the freezing temperatures back home, you really appreciate being here. Also, everyone has been very nice.
“We have to return home by mid-March, when the mares start foaling, but I’d love to come back again next year.”
SIRE STAKES FOR PACERS HEADLINE PROGRAM
A pair of $6,500 California Sire Stakes for four-year-old pacers are in the spotlight at Cal Expo Saturday evening, with Allmyxsliventexas and Midnight Adventure heading the male division, while Plain Awesome and Little Emma have received top billing in the distaff contest.
There will be a 13-race card under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with a first post of 6:15 p.m. The stakes males will battle in the third race on the evening, while the distaff stakes will be decided as a non-betting affair prior to the regular program.
Allymyxsliventexas is a four-year-old son of Hi Ho Silverheels out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Annie Get Your Gun who is owned and was bred by Wayne and Rodney Knittel. Bob Johnson is the trainer and Mooney Svendsen will be in his usual spot in the sulky from the cozy rail slot.
The Knittel representative won eight of his 17 starts last season while earning several stakes trophies and established a 1:54.3 standard over Cal Expo. He should appreciate getting back to peers-only competition this weekend.
Midnight Adventure was a romping winner in the most recent stakes clash for this group last May and looms large. Bred and owned by Mark Anderson and Debra McCarthy, the son of Kents On Nuke hails from the Gordie Graham barn and will have James Kennedy giving directions.
Mathachusets gives the Knittel/Johnson team another solid look at the outcome. The Crisis Situation homebred is coming off a solid runner-up finish last week and his best is dangerous here. The field is completed by West For Gold and Rock Of Ages.
The cast for the distaff stakes will line up this way: Plain Awesome leaving from the rail with James Kennedy handling the lines; Kissed The Boys with Steve Desomer guiding; Little Emma with Mooney Svendsen; and Be My Lucky Lady, who will have the services of Steve Wiseman.
(Cal Expo)