With
two Fort Erie riding titles to his name, a feat he
accomplished in 2005, as an apprentice, and in 2008,
as a journeyman, Beckon has set his sights on making
a return to the big leagues.
Beckon,
who won 85 races at “the Fort” last
year, is confident he can hold his own at Woodbine,
one of North America’s most contentious colonies.
“I’ve
learned a lot wherever I have ridden,” said
Beckon, who was voted Fort Erie’s top rider
in 2008 by his peers. “And everywhere I’ve
been, I’ve had great support from the riders.
When I started riding at Woodbine, there were so
many people that helped me.”
What are
some of the biggest lessons he’s learned since
his initial Woodbine experience?
“Patience
would definitely be one,” said Beckon, a lifetime
winner of 340 races. “But I would also say
that I’m more well-rounded when it comes to
understanding the horses and what it takes to get
100 per cent from them.”
That was
evident in last year’s Deputy Minister Stakes
on July 16 at Woodbine. Under the lights on a Wednesday
evening, Beckon, aboard longshot Piper in the Glen,
took the 12th running of the seven-furlong race,
in what represented his first added-money score.
“When
I was galloping out, I just wanted to pinch myself,” recalled
Beckon. “You don’t forget something like
that. I’m still speechless. I walk by the winner’s
circle picture almost every day and it still makes
me smile.”
It wasn’t
Beckon’s only big highlight in 2008.
He was
handed the reins of Pronger, a horse trained by Woodbine-based
Mike DePaulo, for the 73rd running of the Prince
of Wakes Stakes in mid-July.
Beckon
didn’t waste his first opportunity to contest
the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown Series,
finishing third in the 1 3/16-mile event on Fort
Erie’s main track.
“Mike
instilled a lot of confidence in me,” said
Beckon. “He wanted me to ride the horse a certain
way and I was able to follow those instructions and
come up with a positive result. I have a lot of respect
for Mike and it was nice have things work out well.”
Beckon,
married to fellow rider Cory Clark, has yet another
reason to be optimistic about his fortunes in 2009.
He’s
also caught the eye of champion conditioner Reade
Baker, a winner of 672 career races (as of February
23) and a perennial top-five trainer at the Toronto
oval.
Though he
isn’t Baker’s go-to rider, Beckon is
galloping several horses a day for the native of
Port Dalhousie, Ontario, who had 48 wins at Woodbine
in 2008, good enough to land him third in the standings.
“When
someone as successful as Reade Baker gives you an
opportunity, you don’t want to waste it,” said
Beckon. “There was an offer to make the move
to Woodbine last year, but in fairness to my agent
(Scott Lane), I wanted to wait until now. I believe
in being loyal to people. This is the right time
and I don’t have any second thoughts.”
Said Baker, “I
watched him ride last year at Fort Erie and I was
impressed. He’s been working for me this spring
and I thought we’d give him a shot.”
How many
trips to the Woodbine winner’s circle Beckon
will make during the 2009 Woodbine meet, which kicks
off on April 4, is uncertain.
What is,
however, is that Beckon intends to make this season
his best one to date.
“You
can always learn something new in this sport if you
are willing to. I’ve worked hard and I will
continue to work hard. I’m definitely excited
about this year.”
It appears
Beckon has plenty of motivation and plenty of confidence
to feel that way. |
