Northlands trainer Meyaard trying new circuit

OKLAHOMA CITY – Trainer Jim Meyaard is making a significant circuit change after operating one of the winningest stables at Northlands Park in his native Alberta, Canada. On his agenda for the balance of 2010 and into 2011 are Remington Park, Florida, and Woodbine.

“We only live once and we want to take that next step,” said Meyaard.

Meyaard brought seven horses he trains to Remington three weeks ago with designs on the track’s program of $825,000 in stakes last Sunday. He has six more headed to Oklahoma City now that the Northlands meet is over. Among that group is Alywyn, who captured the $50,000 Duchess of York there last Saturday, and No Walkin’ Joe, who was third in the $50,000 Harvest on Monday.

No Hesitation, winner of the Grade 3 Canadian Derby in August, finished fourth Sunday in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. It was his first loss following six straight wins, but Meyaard felt No Hesitation, as well as some of the others he started in the local stakes, proved competitive at Remington.

“The colt got a little intimidated when those horses kind of squeezed him at the eighth pole, and one thing about that caliber of running, there’s no room for error,” Meyaard said. “Once the traffic cleared a little bit he came back running, but he can’t make the ground up.”

Meyaard felt No Hesitation could have been second with a clean trip. The race was won by Pleasant Prince, who is headed for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. As for No Hesitation, he will be freshened and could run back in December, said Meyaard. The horse was bred in California and is eligible for the Sunshine Millions, which is one reason the barn will head to Florida after the close of the Remington.

“We’re just going to go to a training center in Ocala, and we’ll run at Tampa Bay, and if we’ve got something that looks like it will fit, we’ll go to Gulfstream,” said Meyaard.

From there, Meyaard and his wife, Amber, will go for the first time to Woodbine. Meyaard also said he is looking into the racing program at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Meyaard is a former cutting horse trainer who 12 years ago got into racing. He said Remington was an appealing option for his circuit change-up because he spent some time working at nearby Matlock Rose Ranch, a prestigious cutting-horse farm in North Texas.

Meyaard, 42, won with 38 percent of his 177 starters in 2009. He annually prepped his horses for the Northlands meet at Fonner Park, and won the Northlands title in 2009. This year, Meyaard is fast-approaching $1 million in stable earnings, which would be an annual best for the trainer.

With the change in circuit, Meyaard expects to have about 16 to 20 horses versus his typical 30-35. He will be looking for his first Remington win in Wednesday night’s seventh race, with Pick to Click. A chief threat is Forest Voices, who is a half-brother to Grade 1 Champagne winner Uncle Mo.

Undefeated filly to Delta

All About Allie ran her record to 3-for-3 with a dominating win in the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs last weekend at Remington. She is being pointed for the Grade 3, $500,000 Delta Princess at Delta Downs on Nov. 20.

“I think our next step will be to look at the race at Delta,” said David Whited, who trains All About Allie. “I believe she’ll handle a mile.”

All About Allie has sprinted up to this point, winning a maiden special weight at Prairie Meadows in July, the $50,000 Lady Razorback at Louisiana Downs in September, then the Gaylord. She tracked the pace in fourth in the Remington race, overtook the leaders and barreled home by four lengths.

“We’re pleasantly surprised,” Whited said. “She’s done everything we’ve asked of her.”

All About Allie is based at Whited’s training center in Hot Springs, Ark. A former jockey who rode close to 4,000 winners before retiring, Whited’s last win in the saddle came at Remington in 1992.

Hoyts join Oaklawn

The husband and wife publicity team of Jennifer and Rowland Hoyt have been added to the media relations team at Oaklawn. The Hoyts assisted the track in publicity for last year’s Apple Blossom appearance by Zenyatta.

“We developed a relationship with both Jennifer and Rowland during our 2010 season,” said David Longinotti, assistant general manager of racing for Oaklawn. “They both impressed us with their knowledge of our industry, their media acumen, and their professionalism.”

Jennifer has been named media relations manager for Oaklawn, and Rowland, the track’s media coordinator. The couple is currently working with Breeders’ Cup. Oaklawn opens in January.