Inside Track with Dan Jukich - November 10, 2010 Edition

November 10, 2010

Inside Track with Dan Jukich - November 10, 2010 Edition
(As it appeared in Wednesday’s edition of the Surrey Leader)

I will forever recall the sparkle in their eyes and the smiles full of pride when Mr. and Mrs. Robert Murphy were called to the podium at Newlands Golf and Country Club for a special announcement during the 2008 B.C. Standardbred Industry Awards Dinner.

They were advised that the BC Breeders Stakes for 3-year-olds would forever and a day be named after them: the fillies in the name of Mary and the colts in the name of Robert.

And how fitting that BC Breeders Classic Day annually falls on Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. Mr. Murphy passed away this past February at the age of 77 and will always be remembered as one of the most respected and successful horse owners and breeders ever to work his magic at Fraser Downs. Fittingly, he was unanimously selected to the B.C. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.

Thursday’s $75,000 Mary Murphy Stakes has generated all kinds of excitement because not too unlike the great thoroughbred Zanyetta, the remarkable Mystic Maiden goes for an unprecedented 12th win in a row and 19 in 20 lifetime starts. Trained by young Justin Currie and driven by Dave Hudon, Mystic Maiden will be the odds-on favourite. And with a record like that, why not?

The $75,000 Robert Murphy Stakes for the boys has multiple talent in a nine-horse field that features Nobody Can, who captured both legs of eliminations for owners JJJ Stables and Al Anderson. Other elimination leg winners Kootenay Mike and Dontmakemebeg will provide Nobody Can with some excellent competition.

There are nine entries in both the BC Classic Stakes for 2-year-olds. Just Fiction won both of the fillies eliminations and Gramrun Jake did the same in the colts division.

The 11-race BC Classic Day card begins at 1:15 p.m. with the lovely Teresa Fierro launching the afternoon with her outstanding rendition of our national anthem. I have no hesitation saying that I love her. I can, because she’s my sister.

djukich@fraserdowns.com