Trainer Scherer has solid Sunday

A reporter called and cursorily asked the Canterbury Park-based trainer Gary Scherer how he was doing Sunday evening.

“After today if I said I was doing bad you’d have to say I was a complete jerk,” Scherer said. “I guess I’m ecstatic right now.”

Hollering down the shed row was a trio of 2-year-olds, hungry for their feed after racing for the first time that afternoon. Notte Oscura, a Minnesota-bred gelding by Astrology owned by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, aired in race 5, a statebred-restricted maiden sprint. Two races later, in an open maiden race, Scherer ran one-two with Brother Richie and Richie Gary, two Louisiana-breds. Brother Richie made a fine appearance, racing professionally and powering to a 5 3/4-length victory while appearing to win with something in reserve.

The one-two finish in the open race was especially meaningful. The two Louisiana-breds are owned by the Scherer Strong partnership, and both are named for Richie Scherer, Gary’s brother, who passed away last summer following a long battle with cancer. Brother Richie was named when he was a yearling and Richie Scherer still was alive.

“My younger brother Merrill had wanted to do something. He talked to Richie about the names about a year ago,” Gary Scherer said.

Gary Scherer is one of the partners, as are Jeff Zlonis and Bobby Bernacki. Brother Richie, should he continue developing, could have a serious future in Louisiana-bred races, and while Scherer said the Custom for Carlos colt could be aimed at the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes next month in Iowa, he’ll keep in mind the valuable races Brother Richie could have on the table later this year in Louisiana. For their part, Brother Richie, as well as Richie Gary, can continue to keep Richie Scherer close to his brothers’ hearts.