Chippewa Downs

[Jay Trotter]

I'm thinking of heading down to Chippewa Downs this weekend. It is only about an hour from where I live just across the border but I've never been there for the racing. Thought I would check it out.

My interest was peaked when I accompanied Scanman to a very small one day meet in Melville, Saskatchewan last year. It was very entertaining to see a small country meet and a pleasant day.

Looking at the results from last weekend the attendance was 600 with a total handle below $10,000. Some of the exoctic payouts are very interesting with the "all" position being quite common.

I'm interested if anyone has any input on how to "exploit" these types of pools. I'm attaching the results from June 9th and 10th and welcome any thoughts.

Trotter:ThmbUp:

[pondman]

Looks like a couple super jocks in the 1st and 2nd leg of dollar tris. I wouldn't over handicap this. I've played this type of horse being shipped into Turf Paradise out of Canada. My suggesting is throw in a horse if it's there to break it's maiden-- dropping soft, with low or unknown jockey, and the crowd ignores it. You might want to key these with super jocks. Keep your eyes out for horses coming from Assiniaboa downs that are speedster in the money.

[HuggingTheRail]

I attended the 2 days of racing at Sunflower Downs in the BC interior last year. If Chippewa is at all similar - take a look at the horses in the paddock - you will likely be able to eliminate 1/2 the field on looks alone...

As for exploting the betting....Sunflower Downs had show betting on a 3 horse race - the only risk in getting your 5% was the jockey and horse had to navigate 5 furlongs... not sure it was worth the risk

(Hope to meet up with TrackCollector at Sunflower on the 29th of this month)!

[Scrambler]

I'm thinking of heading down to Chippewa Downs this weekend. It is only about an hour from where I live just across the border but I've never been there for the racing. Thought I would check it out.

My interest was peaked when I accompanied Scanman to a very small one day meet in Melville, Saskatchewan last year. It was very entertaining to see a small country meet and a pleasant day.

Looking at the results from last weekend the attendance was 600 with a total handle below $10,000. Some of the exoctic payouts are very interesting with the "all" position being quite common.

I'm interested if anyone has any input on how to "exploit" these types of pools. I'm attaching the results from June 9th and 10th and welcome any thoughts.

Trotter:ThmbUp:


Hey Trotter, Chippewa Downs Is A Great VERY Little Track, Many of the Horses you see run at the Downs Will Race There, Watch for Hot Trainers/Riders. The Thing is you need to Watch the Pools, Pay Offs Can be Funny,..
Exp. 30 winner 30 place. 17 dollar tri. lol there could be very little $$ in that pool. it's more of a 2 WP Type of event. Alot like the SASK Trip..

Stay at the Casino if your going over night, they have A Race book. Good Spot.

Enjoy My Friend.......:ThmbUp:

[Jay Trotter]

I attended the 2 days of racing at Sunflower Downs in the BC interior last year. If Chippewa is at all similar - take a look at the horses in the paddock - you will likely be able to eliminate 1/2 the field on looks alone...Funny you should mention this. When I went to Melville with Scanman the first race was slotted to go with 6 runners. One trainer failed to show up with his trailer of horses and two of those were in the first race, leaving just 4.

One horse had a 160 lb. rider for some reason -- toss! Upon inspection at the paddock another horse looked near death with ribs showing everywhere -- toss! This left the #2 and #3 horse as the obvious plays. The PPs said #2 would be the easy winner, so I went with a $10.00 Exacta 2-3.

The obvious happens and it finishes 2-3 with the $2.00 Exacta paying $6.60. $2.00 Quinella pays $37.00! :bang: I laughed -- it was fun. :jump:

[castaway01]

The pools are too small to really exploit in any way (unless one of those horses with its ribs showing and a 160-lb rider wins, then you might scoop the pool), but it sounds like a fun time. Just enjoy it and mess around with some small bets.

[davew]

pools are so small, you are betting against yourself - so min bet on every bet


looks like place pools have overlays

I would stick with your visual and/or go with a jock doing well - like F Estrada

[Hoofless_Wonder]

Small pools like that must be common in North Dakota. I remember spending time in the OTB in Fargo in the days prior to co-mingling where sometimes a horse would not have ANY money on it to place......

[Jay Trotter]

I've ferreted out a bit of what should be helpful information:

* Most of the races from last weekend were won on the front end or just off (muddy track both days)
* Two trainers had multiple wins -- J. Herman (2) & R. Haar (2)
* Jockey Estrada won 4 of the 7 QH races
* Jockey Delorme won 3 of the 7 QH races
* Jockey Delorme won 5 of the 17 races overall
* Jockey Birt-Carmouche won 3 of 10 thoroughbred races
* 11 of the 17 winners are out of BCF (Brown County Fair?)

Just gonna wing the cappin' when I'm down there and enjoy the day.

Thanks to those who commented. :ThmbUp:

[Jay Trotter]

Well, it was an experience to be sure. The track was a definate step up from Melville but still quite the country-bumpkin feel to it. Quinellas outpaid Exactas and Place payouts were higher than one would expect.

Horses shipping in from "real" tracks showed a class edge even if they had done absolutely nothing in the past. I never did know if the track was fast, good or muddy. It looked a bit sticky.

The top riders also showed themselves to be a cut above what I imagine were the local riders who likely ride once a year when this meet runs.

I highly recommend this experience or similar small meets to those who have yet to give a try.

Trotter:ThmbUp:

[Scanman]

Good on ya Jay!!! I was hoping to check Chippewa out with you. Glad you had a nice experience. Nothing like grassroots racing.

I couldn't make Chippewa work this year. Truth be told, it looks like it'll be a slow "visit" year. Did make it to Hippodromo de las Americas, Mexico City (was a blast and very impressive) in March. Am planning to give Pleasanton and Grants Pass a try during the July 4th week.

Hope you're having a great year at ASD. Stay well.

[Scanman]

I attended the 2 days of racing at Sunflower Downs in the BC interior last year. If Chippewa is at all similar - take a look at the horses in the paddock - you will likely be able to eliminate 1/2 the field on looks alone...

As for exploting the betting....Sunflower Downs had show betting on a 3 horse race - the only risk in getting your 5% was the jockey and horse had to navigate 5 furlongs... not sure it was worth the risk

(Hope to meet up with TrackCollector at Sunflower on the 29th of this month)!
Rail,

Is Sunflower going to run again in September (per last year)? Also, any word on whether Kamloops will race again?

BTW, I had the chance to meet 'Collector last year at Laurel. Super nice chap. Hope you guys have a brilliant day!

[HuggingTheRail]

Rail,

Is Sunflower going to run again in September (per last year)? Also, any word on whether Kamloops will race again?

BTW, I had the chance to meet 'Collector last year at Laurel. Super nice chap. Hope you guys have a brilliant day!

Hi Scanman,

They have Sunflower slated for the 2nd day again this year - Saturday Sept 8th. Last year it was touch and go if they could get enough horses (and jockeys) for the Sept date, but they pulled it off.

I dont think Kamloops will race again...lots of talk of redeveloping that land. I heard they already tore down some of the grandstand and some of the barns??

They will try to get a couple of dates in Kin Park/Vernon this July and/or August. They struggled last year, Vernon is much farther away from Vancouver/Hastings, so less people are willing to ship up there with gas prices the way they are.

A little bit of pie in the sky rumour that a group wants to start racing in Osoyoos again - Desert Park is the name of the track there, but they've been dark for a long, long time, although there is still some training happening there.

With Portland Meadows switching to summer/fall racing, it may impact the B meets here in BC, as well as WA and OR, as PM will likely card a lot of low level claiming races for roughly the same purse money. A lot easier to stay in one place than travel all over the Pacific Northwest.

[Scrambler]

Well, it was an experience to be sure. The track was a definate step up from Melville but still quite the country-bumpkin feel to it. Quinellas outpaid Exactas and Place payouts were higher than one would expect.

Horses shipping in from "real" tracks showed a class edge even if they had done absolutely nothing in the past. I never did know if the track was fast, good or muddy. It looked a bit sticky.

The top riders also showed themselves to be a cut above what I imagine were the local riders who likely ride once a year when this meet runs.

I highly recommend this experience or similar small meets to those who have yet to give a try.

Trotter:ThmbUp:


Glad to Hear A Good Time Was Had Trotter...

Nothing beats getting back to the Roots of the Game.

Fargo is coming up, A draws a little better Horses,& Jockeys, Great RACE Track, to race on...

Don't know if you go to harness, as Holland MB, Has A Meet coming up, also A Fun Day Out. again 2$ WP type of betting..

[Jay Trotter]

Glad to Hear A Good Time Was Had Trotter...

Nothing beats getting back to the Roots of the Game.

Fargo is coming up, A draws a little better Horses,& Jockeys, Great RACE Track, to race on...

Don't know if you go to harness, as Holland MB, Has A Meet coming up, also A Fun Day Out. again 2$ WP type of betting..
When is Holland racing? Might take a drive as it isn't too far. I played harness back when they ran every winter at ASD but that fell by the wayside years ago. I do go to Fraser Downs when visiting my uncle in BC. :ThmbUp:

[Jay Trotter]

Good on ya Jay!!! I was hoping to check Chippewa out with you. Glad you had a nice experience. Nothing like grassroots racing.

I couldn't make Chippewa work this year. Truth be told, it looks like it'll be a slow "visit" year. Did make it to Hippodromo de las Americas, Mexico City (was a blast and very impressive) in March. Am planning to give Pleasanton and Grants Pass a try during the July 4th week.

Hope you're having a great year at ASD. Stay well.
Tom, you're still alive? You've been layin' low. Offer still stands for when you make your visit to Chippewa. It's just over an hour from my house. Stay well. :ThmbUp:

[Jay Trotter]

Fargo is coming up, A draws a little better Horses,& Jockeys, Great RACE Track, to race on... I might give Fargo a try. Maybe go down for the weekend and do a little cross-border shopping with my wife.

.....so we're sitting in the bleachers at Chippewa and she gives me that sideways glance that says "oh, the places you take me and the things I put up with"! She loves me! :jump:

[Bettowin]

Check if the small tracks have a twin trifecta. If they do the last day of the meet is the time to go since they have to pay it out. The small tracks that I have attended with twin tri's become very good bets on the last day. $5 to 10K there for the taking:)

Also made out well in the larger stakes races (10 to 20K) is large at these tracks. Good trainers will bring in 2-4 horses for those races and betting the entry to place will easily outpay the win and very little risk.

[Scrambler]

I might give Fargo a try. Maybe go down for the weekend and do a little cross-border shopping with my wife.

.....so we're sitting in the bleachers at Chippewa and she gives me that sideways glance that says "oh, the places you take me and the things I put up with"! She loves me! :jump:


Lol.. Thats Funny, Yeah she will enjoy Fargo way more...

Holland MB, Goes sat and Sun, if the weather is good of course..

[parlay]

i have been going out on business. Missed the live races at Marquis
last week. Are there small meets near there?

[Track Collector]

i have been going out on business. Missed the live races at Marquis
last week. Are there small meets near there?

Jay and Scanman went to the 1-day meet in Melville in September. I believe they usually run the first weekend after Marquis Downs is finished. They run TB and QH races.

While at Melville, Scanman mentioned that they were having trouble drawing horses due to some "unsanctioned" meet nearby. I would love to find out more info on this if anyone has it.

They also run Harness races in Yorkton during the summer. Next year (2013) could be at risk due to funding which is currently not slated to be available. Yorkton used to run TB's as well, but I think the last year was either 2002 or 2004.


Chris

[Track Collector]

When there back in the late 1990's, it looked like an "interesting" track to ride on. More than a few stones on the track, and although it might have been an "illusion", the stretch looked like it was UP HILL.

Speaking of low handles, and being located on an Indian Reservation, my fellow track collecting friend once termed Chippewa Downs as "the place where 12-year-olds bet their allowance".

[Scanman]

Jay and Scanman went to the 1-day meet in Melville in September. I believe they usually run the first weekend after Marquis Downs is finished. They run TB and QH races.

While at Melville, Scanman mentioned that they were having trouble drawing horses due to some "unsanctioned" meet nearby. I would love to find out more info on this if anyone has it.

They also run Harness races in Yorkton during the summer. Next year (2013) could be at risk due to funding which is currently not slated to be available. Yorkton used to run TB's as well, but I think the last year was either 2002 or 2004.


Chris
Crikey Chris, I wrote down the name of the "unsanctioned meet" in SK, but God only knows what I did with my "working" program from that day. The meet was put on by the First Nations (can't remember what tribe), but the purses were a bit better and did dampen the interest in Melville last year. Hopefully, they'll work together this year and share the wealth. Melville is as crusty as they come, but was still a good time. Jay killed them at the mutuals. Whatever little there was in the pools, Jay was scooping it up. He is the "Master of Melville".

[Scanman]

Tom, you're still alive? You've been layin' low. Offer still stands for when you make your visit to Chippewa. It's just over an hour from my house. Stay well. :ThmbUp:
Yeah, mate. It's been a trying year. Had to a abort a trip in January to Switzerland (Arosa, the lake didn't freeze enough for them to stage the meet) and Italy (industrial action by the trainers, who got into a pissing contest over the purse subsidy from the government). Missed a chance to add a six new ones.

Having a difficult time getting King Congo on track, so that's been a bit of burden in a many ways.

Only made it to two "firsters" this year so far: Glyndon (MD Hunt Cup) and Las Americas (Mexico). Should be putting the finishing touches on the trip out to Pleasanton (6/30) and Grants Pass (7/01). Apart from that, will most likely make it out to Columbus in Aug or Sep, as I hear that this could be their last year.

Trying to put together a trip to Chile at the of the year and visit all 5 of their racecourses.

Unfortunately, Chippewa will have to wait for another year, but they look to be doing alright, so it appears they'll be around for a while. I will definately give you a shout when I make the trip up and look forward to meeting up with you again.

[HuggingTheRail]

Love hearing you folks talk about these "B" meets... I thoroughly enjoyed Sunflower Downs in Princeton last year, and looking forward to it again next week. Time permitting, I'd love to get to some more next year - there are a few in WA and OR that are definitely on the radar - maybe Tillamook, and I can some cheese too :) :jump:

[Jay Trotter]

Jay killed them at the mutuals. Whatever little there was in the pools, Jay was scooping it up. He is the "Master of Melville".Tom, you are too kind -- I'm barely "master of my own domain"! :lol:

[Scanman]

Love hearing you folks talk about these "B" meets... I thoroughly enjoyed Sunflower Downs in Princeton last year, and looking forward to it again next week. Time permitting, I'd love to get to some more next year - there are a few in WA and OR that are definitely on the radar - maybe Tillamook, and I can some cheese too :) :jump:
I think the "fairs" are way underrated. I hear Sunflower is fun and tried to get there last year, but had to cancel. It's on my North America "fair" shortlist.

BTW thanks for the info concerning Kamloops. I think I'm going to remove them from my list as an active track. I check the BC website from time to time concerning Desert Park. I knew about the training, but was waiting to see if they would put on a meeting. Kin Park was a lot of fun, but had to re-route when returning to Vancouver because of a forest fire near Kelowna that shut down 97C. Now worries though, it was a beautiful drive.

[mistergee]

all this is making me long for the days of the new england fair meets, miss them

[pondman]

Time permitting, I'd love to get to some more next year - there are a few in WA and OR that are definitely on the radar :

Grants Pass is an interesting play. The crowd goes haywire and will let 8000 m at portland go off at 20-1 in a 1500 m at Grants Pass. The trainers will pass the horses to an unknown trainer and get a girl to hang on. Class is the issue and will beat the local numbers and the repeaters. It's a rewarding tri track if you don't over emphasize the PP. There's also no security, so you can walk around to the barns and say hello to people. You have to be on the look out for flim-flam. You'll also see people who have lost their licenses in other states. You might see someone such as Kenny Black show up to ride for $35. You might see several of my in-laws peeking around the corners, because they've been ruled off but there really isn't any enforcement. You'll probably see me fly in because a shifty eyed is letting me in on a setup.

If I've got a horse shipping into GG, I usually walk over to the OTB, and have a few drink. The whole area is laid back and low keyed. And fairly easy to get passes and free pp if you ask around

[Track Collector]

all this is making me long for the days of the new england fair meets, miss them

Certainly very sad. Northampton was the absolute best, but racing appears gone foreven with no interest in bringing it back and part of the track is now occupied by buildings. Great Barrington still has the overgrown track there, and the price of the fairgrounds property was reduced to ~ $1.9 MD. Marshfield (last ran in 1991) has part of the race track paved over for parking.

Brockton still has a very slight possibility, as the Carneys seem to still have some interest in bringing back racing. Maybe if/when Suffolk wins the casino license, they will care less if Brockton wants to race again.

Like Scanman said earlier, these racing fairs really are quite underrated with regard to wagering and enjoyment experiences. From my viewpoint, there is no comparision with the large commercial tracks.:jump:

Now I'll wait patiently for Scanman to some day find his program notes on that other unsanctioned Canadian meet in SK. :)

[1GCFAN]

They are coming back at Fargo! From their website (http://www.hrnd.org/):

After a two year hiatus, North Dakota Horse Park is set to reopen for the 2012 meet


It may be an appetizer instead of a feast, but for racing fans hungry for horse racing in North Dakota, it may serve as all that they need.



For the first time since the summer of 2009, horse racing returns to the little track on the prairie as the Horse Park reopens its doors on July 14th for a four day meet. July 15, 21, and 22 will see live racing at the Fargo oval.

[1GCFAN]

ND Horse Park
Talked to the Racing Secretary tonight and he says that their horses will come from the other ND track that is racing and a few from Canterbury Park.

[Scanman]

Bad news for the Montana this year. All 3 (Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula) fairs were scrapped as well as Yellowstone Downs (Billings).

http://www.bigskybusiness.com/index.php/politics/montana-politics/2609-poor-management-of-horse-racing-leaves-local-venues-vacant

But like the article states, they be back (Yellowstone) next year. Hopefully, the others will run too. Just as well, I couldn't make it up to Montana this year, but hope to when they run. I hear good things about their circuit.

[Scanman]

I dont think Kamloops will race again...lots of talk of redeveloping that land. I heard they already tore down some of the grandstand and some of the barns??
Did some poking and found this article about Kamloops. http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120306/KAMLOOPS0101/120309845/-1/KAMLOOPS/former-horse-trainer-says-racing-is-done-in-kamloops

Excerpt: Tk’emlups Indian Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson said horse racing in Kamloops is dead. Peterson said the grandstands have been torn down at Sagebrush Downs on the Mount Paul Centre property, the horse stalls removed and all that’s left to house the animals is the main barn. “To put racing on in Kamloops, you’d have to put some dollars into it,” said Peterson, who used to race and train horses himself. KXA director Fred Pain agreed horse racing is finished in Kamloops, but the sport has been disappearing in B.C. as well due to competition from other gambling forms.

Sad for me, now all I have left to complete my Canadian visits will be Sunflower (unless the Desert Park gets up and running).

[HuggingTheRail]

Poked around on the interweb a fair bit hoping to find a pretty good list of bush meets in the Pacific NW area....anyone know of any good source of this info. I know the DRF site, etc lists some, but not the real bush meets...

Thanks!

[Scanman]

Poked around on the interweb a fair bit hoping to find a pretty good list of bush meets in the Pacific NW area....anyone know of any good source of this info. I know the DRF site, etc lists some, but not the real bush meets...

Thanks!
This is best site that I know of for racing in the Northwest: http://www.racewithtrs.com/ .

They do a pretty good job of keeping it current, so it is reliable. I used it to check the condition book for the races that I will be attending at Grants Pass on July 1st.

[HuggingTheRail]

Scanman, thanks for the link - that's great. Would love to do a road trip visiting some of those

Union, Oregon - must be quite the track. I am looking at the PPs for Sunflower Downs (Princeton) this Friday. A horse raced at Union on June 8th - track was listed as Heavy, and they ran 6.5f in...1:36.3!!

[saevena]

Some years ago, I called a racing official at Union about their racing dates. He told me that they needed jockeys and asked if I wanted to ride there. I weigh 170 pounds.