Fort Erie: Five-win day propels Cheyne to top of jockey standings

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Brian Cheyne was on a roll last Sunday as he brought home five winners on the eight-race card at Fort Erie, including both halves of the daily double.

Cheyne, Bradley Wilson, and Melonie Pinto are all battling for top riding honors and have 11 wins each heading into Sunday’s card.

Wilson rode the winners of the first two races on both June 11 and June 16.

Former exercise rider wins first race

Apprentice Sheena Ryan rode her first winner of Fort Erie’s meet on Tuesday’s twilight card.

After breaking slowly aboard the Reade Baker-owned and -trained More Than Bandeau, Ryan and her mount rallied strongly and caught the favorite She’s Actceptional in midstretch, and then prevailed under strong urging.

Ryan, who had worked as an exercise rider for Baker at Woodbine, began her riding career at Northlands Park last year before returning to Ontario.

Family Day reset for Tuesday

The cancellation of Monday racing on July 1 included the loss of the track’s annual “Family Day,” where events for children were to be highlighted.

Family Day will now be combined with the twilight racing card on Tuesday, with first post scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Eastern.

Monday racing will begin on July 15 and continue through to the end of September. The Ontario Racing Commission has approved a revised schedule for Fort Erie and the final day of the season will now be Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Ebb and flow for farmer’s market

The excellent crowds and the good weather on Sunday afternoons have provided the on-site outdoor farmer’s market good business in the opening weeks of the meet.

Sales personnel have become accustomed to the yo-yo action as business is brisk one moment, quiet after the call to post parade, then busy again after the race.

Youngster likes DRF handicapping tool

Julia Dahlia, age 9, is becoming something of an expert in reading and interpreting Daily Racing Form .

“I like handicapping,” said Julia, as she took in the races here the other day with her mother, Michelle.

Julia said she used DRF ’s Formulator to help select her horses.

“I go on the computer to the Formulator site,” Julia said, “and there I can watch previous races and compare them to the lines and numbers on the screen. It is just like having a Form in your hands.”