Jewel sparkles in Delta
April 3, 2001: Ray Gemmill does
not necessarily believe the so-called experts.
And with close to a half century in
the harness racing business why should he.
Those so-calleds thought Dal Reo Jewel, a nice three-year-old filly
in Gemmill’s barn, would contend but not beat favored Samantha
Square in the final of the Delta Pace last Saturday at Fraser Downs.
“I think you (looking straight at this TrackMarks guy) put too
much emphasis on Samantha,” he said shortly after Jewel had run down
Samantha in the stretch run to capture the Delta for three-year-old
fillies and mares run for a purse of $29,890.
“We thought that today she would have a hell of a shot,” Ray
explained gently. “If she was ready to race to her potential we knew
she could win. She had been sick (she was off from Feb. 18 to March
23) but she won the previous week and had trained well all week.”
Gemmill, as usual, knew of which he
spoke. Jewel won four of four starts including the Breeders Stake as a
two-year old (while racing for Dal Reo Farms who sold her to Western
Pacific Stable) and now has two wins and two seconds in five 2001
starts.
Samantha Square had those kind of
impressive stats for trainer/driver Rick White. She had been unbeaten
in three 2001 starts after winning the Sales Stake in December.
Last Saturday, Samantha had to battle
Red Star Areba for the lead from the gate. Although she had the lead
by the first quarter, a couple of extra steps, and a quick time of
27.2 may have taken a toll.
Jewel, piloted by Dave Hudon, sat
third on the pylons, and when asked to challenge Samantha Square was
equal to it. She won by 3/4 of a length in 2:02.1. Taylor Lite
finished third.
Gemmill took time to give extra credit
for the showing of Dal Reo Jewel.
“Grooms do not get enough credit,” Gemmill said, “And Greg
Smith (Jewel’s groom) deserves lots. Greg Smith is the best thing to
happen to me in a long time. Wait, don’t blow him up, he’ll want a
raise.”
Gemmill is now pointing Dal Reo Jewel
to Edmonton where she will get into action before the end of April.
- 30 -
