Longshot jockey Quong lighting up the tote board

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Mike Quong isn't winning a lot here at Fort Erie, but when he does win he is lighting up the tote board.

Quong rode two winners on Tuesday, Numerous Lady ($19.20) and Apogee Moon ($45.40).

That makes 10 wins for the meet from 141 starters, and places Quong eighth in the jockey standings. More interestingly, nine of his 10 winners have paid double digits, and a flat $2 win bet on his 141 starters, a $282 proposition, would have yielded $363.60, for a $2.58 return on investment per $2 wagered.

Quong, 51, had a slow start this meet. His first win, House on Fire ($85.40) came on May 22 with his 42nd mount.

His biggest day of the year was July 1 when he entered the winner's circle four times, with payoff prices of $15, $27.50, $11, and $16.90.

The one Quong winner this meet that paid less than double digits was Legendary Dancer, $4.20. His highest payoff, $99.70, was on Bodean on June 10. Quong also won with Mr. Brave Heart ($39.30) on June 4.

Quong started his career 30 years ago at Woodbine.

Freeman bidding good-bye

Trainer Edward Freeman is winding down his longtime Fort Erie operation.

"It's my last year," he said. "I've just come back to tie up some loose ends."

Freeman has spent the last four winters training in California.

"I don't really want to have a lot of horses," he said. "I want to take it easy in the summers."

Freeman, a winner of seven races at last year's Fort Erie meet, said he was occupied this winter getting owner J. Paul Reddam's yearlings ready to go to the races. Once the horses are ready, Freeman sends them on to California trainers Doug O'Neill and Craig Dollase.

"Reddam is standing a stallion [Momentum] in California, so I'll get his babies," said Freeman. "I'll stay there."

Freeman has had 1 win and 5 seconds in his 12 starts since he arrived here from California in mid-June.

Freeman's first race upon return to Canada this year was in the Hill 'N' Dale Stakes at Woodbine, when he sent out his stable star Silver Highlight, a winner of $416,477. Silver Highlight pulled a suspensory and has been retired.

After losing a runner through a claim on Sunday at the Fort, Freeman is down to fewer than a dozen runners.

Reid's goal: 15 winners

Henry Reid, 51, is a new name in the trainer standings this year at the Fort. A longtime assistant trainer, he went on his own this year and has three winners.

Frank Passero, Darwin Banach, and Artie Silvera are some of the trainers that Reid has worked with.

"I worked for Passero in Florida and took some horses for him to Delaware and won some races for him," said Reid, who came to Canada from Jamaica 25 years ago.

His top horse is Amisharporwat, who finished fourth in the Holiday Inn Cup on Sunday.

"My goal is to win 15 races this year," he said.

He also said he plans to be active in claiming.