May 05 , 2008
Opening Day at the Fort

FORT ERIE, May 5...The thoroughbreds are off and running at Fort Erie Race Track. The historic oval kicked off its 111th season of live racing Saturday afternoon.

Jockey’s Chris Griffith and apprentice Richard Morrow got off to a great start, each recording a pair of wins on opening day. The duo came back on day two of the season winning one each.

Griffith guided African Rainbow to a two-length victory in the season opener for trainer Jimmy Woods. In the 6th race of the day it was Griffith winning aboard Country Dreamer who was sent out by trainer Harold Ladouceur.

On Sunday Griffith was victorious aboard Gilford, a four-year-old gelding sent to post by trainer R.F. Crean in the day’s 4th race.

Morrow scored his first win of the year, third of his young career, winning the 4th race aboard Glendawe who is trained by Lyle Morden. In the day’s 8th race Morrow won his second of the day with Tethra’s Dream for trainer Rodney Quinn.

Sunday’s win came quickly. Morrow guided Baileysinheritance to victory in the 1st race. It was the first win of the year for trainer Winston Wilkinson.

Jockey Chad Beckon also notched three winners on opening weekend.

Beckon’s opening day win came in the 7th race of the day aboard Better Than Bitter for Alan Desruisseaux.

Beckon doubled up on Sunday winning the 6th aboard Way To Run for Nathan Squires and the 8th with Casey’s Golden St. for trainer Audre Cappuccitti.

Racing returns to the Border Oval on Sunday. For the remainder of the season the track will offer live racing every Sunday through Tuesday, post time 1:05.

Admission and parking, always FREE.

Post time each day is 1:05pm.

Daryl Wells
Media and Communications 1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: dwells@forterieracetrack.ca