Trainer Ben Wallace admitted to Trot Insider today that initially he wasn't sure that the SBOA Mentorship program was for him when he signed on, but that everything has changed since he hooked up with the connections of two-year-old pacing filly Cant Quit Smiling.
And even though the filly has hit a couple of rough patches this season, the pinnacle of her campaign to this point came last night at Mohawk Racetrack. With Mario Baillargeon in the bike, Cant Quit Smiling powered to the lead on the final turn in what was her fourth pari-mutuel start and went on to record a maiden-breaking victory in 1:55.4.
"Jim Bullock approached me about taking part in the mentorship program, and at first I was pretty reluctant," Wallace told Trot Insider. "I've been a trainer for a long time and to a certain degree I'm set in my ways. But to be associated with a fresh group of owners that see this business for all the good that it has to offer has ended up being very refreshing."
Cant Quit Smiling is owned by Brantford, Ontario's Good To Go Stable, comprised of a total of ten individuals including mentor Ray Bednarz and Win A Racehorse contest winner Perle Breadner.
"The owners and I have ended up having a really good rapport and I look forward to seeing them when they make their visits to come see the horse," said Wallace.
The trainer also indicated that Cant Quit Smiling had suffered a stall injury, but now that she has gotten over it and seems to be on the upswing, Wallace is looking to possibly enter her in an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots event next week at Georgian Downs.
"The mentor program is great for the industry, and these owners are now looking to buy another horse," said Wallace, who also indicated that later this year the filly will most likely contest some of the Woodbine Entertainment Group's late closing series for Ontario-breds.
To learn more about the SBOA Mentoring Program, click here.