Thoroughbreds thunder into Calgary area after nearly a decade away - Action News
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Calgary

Thoroughbreds thunder into Calgary area after nearly a decade away

The premier horse racing hasn't taken place since the Stampede Park track shuttered in 2008. The races will now take place at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, just north of the city.

Races haven't been held in the region since the Stampede Park track shut down in 2008

Until Nov. 5, Century Downs will be holding eight thoroughbred races every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 12:50 p.m. (Terri Trembath/CBC)

It took almost a decade to get them running again nearCalgary,but thoroughbred racing is back.

"It is the Kentucky Derby-style racing, so everybody is familiar with that," said Paul Ryneveld, general manager of Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, which is hosting the races."At least they know what the Kentucky Derby is."

Located near CrossIron Mills, Century Downs opened its doors in April, 2015, and features 550 slot machines and a five-and-a-half furlong oval for standardbred, thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. (Terri Trembath/CBC)

Ryneveldsaidthoroughbred races are held in high regard in the racing community and he hopes the return of the event will help put Calgary back on the map.

"When you're a new facility, and not really the largest facility in the world, it takes things like this to take you to the forefront particularly in North America,"Ryneveldsaid, adding Edmonton's facility is a little bigger, but the size of the racetrack is comparable.

Paul Ryneveld, general manager of Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, said bringing the thoroughbreds back to Calgary will help put the facility on the racing map.

Horse racesin Calgary, held at Stampede Park,came to a halt in 2008, but plans for the new racetrack began back in 2004 whenUnited Horsemen of Alberta (UHA) wasgranted a licence to build a facility.

Constructionwas delayed andRyneveldsaid the project, originally billed at $24 million, cost "over the $30 million mark" to complete.

Located near CrossIron Mills, Century Downs openedits doors inApril, 2015, and features550 slot machines and a five-and-a-halffurlong oval for standardbred, thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

'If you don't win races, you can't break even'

Craig Smith owns or shares ownership with a number of race horses, includingSheep River Bear, whichwon its fist race on Saturday.

Craig Smith, part owner of Sheep River Bear, which won its first race on Saturday. (Terri Trembath/CBC)

Smith said notching a win on the first day ofthoroughbred races at Century Downs is a sign of "bigger and better things to come."

"If you don't win races, you can't break even in this business. And honestly, a good year in horse racing is breaking even," Smith said.

"I mean, I grew up in Sundre, so being back in southern Alberta, racing here, seeing people I knowit means a lot and we're really happy to be back here."

Back in the saddle

Marilyn Bebee, whowasout to see thethoroughbreds on Saturday withher daughterJenn Cooper and granddaughterKylie Cooper, said she usedtowatch the horsesracesin Calgary.

"I didn't think it was ever going to come back and I'm glad it did," she said."It gives us something to do, an outing as a family."

Marilyn Bebee, right, her granddaughter Kylie Cooper, middle, and Bebee's daughter Jenn Cooper, left, took in some thoroughbred racing for the first time since 2008 on Saturday. (Terri Trembath/CBC)

JennBebee said going to the racesdoesn't have to break the bank if you don't want it to.

"It's free to get in, you don't have to bet if you don't want to," she said."And you could just come here and sit and play all day for free."

Until Nov. 5, Century Downs will hold eight thoroughbred races every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 12:50 p.m.

"Eightraces is probably going to be the standard for this fall meet,"Ryneveldsaid."A lot of the horses have raced throughout the summer and now they're taking a break, or they're looking to head south. They're going to go to Phoenix for the winter."

Craig Smith is part owner of the horse Sheep River Bear, pictured here, which won its first race on Saturday at Century Downs just outside of Calgary. (Terri Trembath/CBC)

As for Smith and Sheep River Bear, they're preparingfor the next race.

"He'll race back in two or three weeks, and he'll just try a little tougher competition and see how he lands there," Smith said. "So next time he'll face horses that have won one race, but not won two."

With files from Terri Trembath