Four horses, two winners for Scott barn

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Maurine Scott, who is in her third year as a trainer, is one of the new faces at Fort Erie this year.

In May, Scott, 57, brought four of her 20 horses from her farm in Michigan to the Fort, which, she said, is "only a five-hour drive away."

Two of the horses have yet to race but the other two already have left the maiden ranks. The latest was Queen La Kita, who won on Monday, giving Scott 2 wins from 8 starts at the meet.

Before arriving at Fort Erie, Scott was winless in 16 starts this year, primarily at Hawthorne.

She is not only the trainer but also the owner and breeder of her runners here. She is also a real estate appraiser and broker who, as an owner, has raced horses at major tracks such as Gulfstream and Keeneland.

"I had big-ticket trainers such as Dale Romans and Steve Asmussen," Scott said.

She also plunged into the breeding of horses, surrounding herself with pedigree consultants, and studying hard.

"I collected a lot of well-bred mares, and I've sent babies to the Keeneland yearling sales and to the 2-year-old in training sales," she said.

Although there was success for her at sales, the bottom line was that not enough of her horses were sold, and she could not bear losing her horses at what she called "pennies to the dollar." So, she decided to train some of them to race.

Her plan is transform her Michigan property into a major equestrian center. There is a Victorian farmhouse on the property which she wants to restore and use as a bed and breakfast place.

Meanwhile, she plans to send more of her horses to Fort Erie.

"I just love it here," she said.

Souvenier Biz feeling good again

A three-time winner at the meet, Souvenier Biz was vanned off after he finished fourth on Sunday in the most recent two-furlong race at the Fort.

"He didn't come back very well," said trainer Debbie Rombis on Thursday. "It wasn't his old injury but a new one.

"There was a swelling and inflammation, but he's walking great and feeling great now, like a million dollars," she said.

Souvenier Biz was nominated but will not run in Saturday's two-furlong $50,000 Rocket Man Stakes on the Extreme Day card at Calder.

Fort Erie runners have done extremely well in the Rocket Man. Last year, Bermuda Triangle and Hot and Cold finished second and third in the race. The year before, Thats a Problem won the race. The year before that it was Pembroke Hall who scored.

This year the Fort will be represented in the Rocket Man by Fast Play, who turned back Souvenier Biz to win by a half-length on July 3. In a previous start, June 12, Fast Play was beaten by a nose by Souvenier Biz.