March 2002

The Road to the 2002 Queen's Plate

Classic Mike, a bay gelding, ran once in 2001 breaking his maiden in a dominating fashion. Bred and owned by Dom Romeo's Terra Racing Stable, Classic Mike is by Smart Strike out of Regent n Flashy. He is named after Dom's grandson Michael Romeo. Classic Mike went off at odds of 19-1 when he broke perfectly from the gate, took command of the race immediately, and then opened his lead to 13 lengths by the time he reached the finish line. The effort earned him an 88 Beyer speed rating that day. This was the highest Beyer number for any two-year-old colt or gelding, in Canada in 2001. Classic Mike wintered at Huntington Stud Farm and arrived January 26 at Woodbine to begin training for the races leading up to the Queen's Plate.

Wolverine is a bay colt by Matter of Honor out of Stradocaster. Named after a character in the movie X-men, he is owned by the partnership of Reade Baker and Derek Cornelius. Wolverine won his maiden race under a strong drive in the final 16th of the race against Saint Appeal, who went on to win his next start. Wolverine's Beyer speed rating of 72 was not terribly impressive that day, but Reade is confident that a longer distance may be even more to his liking. Wolverine arrived at Woodbine January 26th and continues his daily training for the Queen's Plate. The date of the big race is June 23rd with a purse of $1 million dollars.

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Name the 2 Year Old Contest

We have tried in vain to name this two year old filly but alas, without success. We thought that maybe one of you would find a great name for her. She has three named siblings they are Fartherthanuthink, Fasterthanyouthink and Luckierthanuthink. The name must be no longer than 18 letters including spaces. Mail or email your entry by no later than April 5th to Janis Maine at 49 Princess Anne Crescent, Toronto, Ontario Canada M9A 2P3. Email to janis@readebaker.com. Include the name for the filly, your name and address, telephone and or email info as well. The winning entry will be notified by the end of April and the names will be published in the next issue of our newsletter as well as on our website. The filly is by Elusive Quality out of Closerthanyouthink, by Ascot Knight.

Allowance Races for Ontario Sired Horses

Woodbine Entertainment announced that there will be allowance races for Ontario-sired horses this year. This is exciting news for breeders, and owners of Ontario-sired horses. The allowance races will serve as valuable preps for the 22 stakes races, for Ontario-sired horses, each with a purse of $125,000. The changes are sure to increase the value and demand for Ontario-sired racing stock.

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Bonus Program In an effort to recruit and keep the best staff possible, we introduced a very competitive wage and bonus program in 2001. The bonus's given to our staff, total 3% of the stable earnings. While owners contribute 2% of their gross purse earnings to the bonus program Reade contributes the additional 1% from his 10% trainer commissions. We are proud to announce that all of our key staff in 2001 has returned for the opening of training in 2002. We sincerely thank our owners for their support of the program. Your valuable horses are in good hands in our barn. Here is a group photo, taken at our staff luncheon in December 2001. Front: Liana Lundy, Sylvie Durette, Melissa Bandi, Pat Vannatto, Debbie Martin Middle: Alex Latta, Barry Lerman, Kristin McGuire, Jasmin Tapscott, Patricia Hendy, Keith Ryan Top: Christopher LaFond, Emmanuel Reid-Oxley, Darren Rogers, Robert Hunter, Reade Baker. Absent: Mathew Smythe, Nick Bruzzese back to contents Trainer's Message
	This year marks the eighth year in publication of the Reade Baker Racing Stable Newsletter. During this time, the industry has experienced a good deal of change and so have we. Eight years ago we had 12 horses in training out of barn 12. Today we are in barn 21 and we have 35 stalls. In the early years it was difficult to grow to where we are currently, and I am proud of our accomplishments. Until the introduction of slots, TRN on satellite and digital cable, Internet wagering, telephone betting, and new barns at Woodbine, there were some doubts that we would be able to achieve our game plans. In my opinion, Woodbine has always been the best training facility in North America and now under the leadership of David Willmot, Woodbine offers horsemen the best opportunity to race for a profit in North America. Having said that, owners and breeders are now facing new challenges. Along with increased purse money, the quality and quantity of horses that will complete at Woodbine will increase. We have to be aware of this and we all have to put together plans to purchase and or produce a better product in order to compete. We are excited about racing this year and believe that we have the potential to have the best season ever. We thank you for your support, your referrals and wish everyone great racing luck in 2002. -Reade

With spring just around the corner, we are preparing horses for their 2002 Woodbine racing debut. We increased the number of stalls this season to total 35 and on January 26th the sound of horses could be heard in barn 21. We welcome back 2001 horses for the following clients; Vera Simpson & Mike Dube's Curraghmore Farm, John Scott's Formal Racing Stable, Mario Forgione's Henley Farm, Earl O'Neil's Kingslane Farm, Paul & Jenni Rocamora, Anne Deluca, Simon Bower, Dick Ruddy, John Kondur, George Farr, Jai Narine, Lloyd Simpson, Arthur Barkin, and Leonard Feigman. We have a good number of three year olds in the barn this year including Gonetofarr, Matter of Law, Road to Justice, Wolverine, Classic Mike, Miss Alexis, Sir Austin, Arcola Creek, Bornschossy, Lady Christine, Flashy Katherine, Tipsy Logic, Lola Darling, Power of Three, Officer Commanding, High Honouree, and Gallstorm. The older horses include; Vitaline, Shall O Mar, Ace of Suedes, A Genuine Honour, Franknruss, Thank You Sir, Orchard Street, and Time to Decide. Watch for Gonetofarr as she preps for the filly Triple Crown races.

New this season, we are pleased and honoured to train 10 horses for Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm. The potential exists for a record-breaking season both in earnings and wins.

American Owners Win at Woodbine

Where in North America can you have your horses trained for $45.00 per day (US Funds) and run for such high purses? Here are just a few examples of Woodbine purses. Dare to Compare!

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One of the reasons for this stallion study was partly due to my concern over the distorted stats used in stallion advertisements regarding average earnings per starters, rather than per named foals and profitability. It should not be an advantage if a stallion sires foals that don't start. Understandable from a marketing perspective, but I wanted to get a more accurate appraisal of stallions that are worth the money for a breeder who breeds to race. The criteria for the study include horses that stand in Ontario, Maryland, Kentucky and Florida. Horses who stand in those states/provinces who were advertised in the 2002 Blood-Horse Stallion Registry, and of these horses, only the ones who showed a positive value for the difference between the AEI over the CI, and a positive value for the average earnings for named foals less the stud fee. (The lifetime Average-Earnings Index indicates how much purse money the progeny of one sire has earned, on the average, in relation to the average earnings of all runners in the same years; average earnings of all runners in any year is represented by an index of 1.00. The Comparable Index indicates the average earnings of progeny produced from mares bred to one sire, when theses same mares were bred to other sires. Only 32% of all sires have a lifetime AEI higher than their mares' Comparable Index). Obviously any horse whose stud fee is private could not meet the criteria and therefore are not included in the study. Finally, only stallions that had 50 or more foals in their stats were considered. The stallions are listed by the highest ranking of the difference between the A.E.I. over the C.I. Hopefully you find the study of interest and a useful tool when selecting a stallion to race for a profit. In conclusion, perhaps too much emphasis is placed on the importance of the stallion in breeding racehorses and not enough emphasis is given to the importance of the mares, the environment the horses are raised in, and the training it receives.

Stakes Winners

Here is a list of our stakes winners. (Some are multiple stakes winners.)
Time to Decide, Katherine of Ascot, Ruby Shoes, Cool n Collective, Synchronized, Sir Lloyd, Wait For Silence, Annihilate, Muskrat Sammy, Honoured One, Celcius Clay, Brock Street. Please help us add to the list.

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Dr. John Brown, a director of the CTHS unveiled plans at a general meeting for breeders on February 17th, to build a sales pavilion and training centre within one-hour drive of Woodbine. The plans were presented as a vision to accommodate a future where sales will not be conducted at the current Woodbine sales pavilion, and where the need for additional stalls exists for the potential increase in the racehorse population. I hope that the plans proceed as soon as possible and encourage everyone in the industry to support the plans.

The annual sale of two-year-olds in training will be held on May 16 with the gallop show on the 15th. The CTHS will also conduct a mixed sale of horses on November 30 and December 2nd.

The CTHS has announced an increase of 10% in the Breeders' Awards for the 2002 racing season.

Winners' Circle Etiquette Ð JM
The tradition of taking a photograph of the winning horse and owner following a win dates as far back as the invention of the camera. We have seen countless photographic accounts of the ritual. The photograph reminds us not only of the fashions of the day, the friends who shared in the moment, but of our equine athlete's wondrous feat and great beauty. A growing trend is happening at North American racetracks that I find particularly annoying and I want to share my pet peeves with you.

The first one is regarding the lineup in the winner's circle photograph. Traditionally the owner and other human connections stand at one end of the horse (the head) permitting a full view of the horse and rider. Now, more often than ever before, we see a trainer, owner, stable employee, even a friend of a friend position himself or herself at the tail end of the horse. Some exuberant individuals even position themselves directly in front of the horse with total disregard and lack of respect for the animal. Remember, the horse is the reason the photograph is being taken in the first place. So please, show some respect for the horse in the winner's circle. Secondly, how many owners have photographs with people, sometimes strangers, who they did not want, in the center of the winner's circle with them? For all of the photograph crashers out thereÉ Stay out of the winner's circle photograph unless it is your horse, or you are invited!!!!!

Dam the Boss
There is a strong chance that a racehorse will win its first race at the very same age as when it's mother won her first race.

Turf or Dirt
Sires seem to determine what surface their offspring will compete on. For example, a horse by Seattle Slew out of a Diesis mare is likely to only run on the dirt whereas a horse by Diesis out of a Seattle Slew mare is likely to only run well on the turf.

FAQ: "When is my horse going to run?"
A: "Your horse is going to run when he is ready"

Winning Races
To win races your horse needs to be racing sound and in the right race.

Free Advise
Only listen to people who make a living at what you want to achieve.

Decissions, Decissions
Decisions made with a lazy body or mind is never a good one.

Trainer Standings
What would the trainer standings look like at a track where the Vets were only permitted to treat sick horses?

Q: How much time off does a horse require if he has a joint related lameness, and has negative radiographics?
A: It takes a minimum of 60 days preferably 90 to repair damaged articular cartilage. Unless some other specific diagnosis is made, one can assume that this would be an adequate healing period for any soft tissue injury in the joint. - Dr. John Chris

Everthing is Relative
When selecting a trainer to train your horse and the day rate is a factor, remember that $10.00 more per day to train, costs $2,500.00 over a typical 250 days at the track. The cost of that training decision may be returned through the trainer knowledge/advise, good staff, a safer environment for your investment, and by just finishing 4th in a $25,000 claiming event.

Chicken and Egg Theory
Bringing new stallions into Ontario to take advantage of the changes to the Ontario-Sired racing program at Woodbine is a logical step in the right direction. Without the addition of at least 50 mares per new stallion, we are just robbing current quality stallions. I would like to think that if someone does stand a new stallion in Ontario, it would be a stallion who could stand on his own in Kentucky.

We are entering into our fifth year in barn 21 and so we thought that it was time to freshen up the horse stalls. We tackled two stalls per day and the project had to be completed in stages; the stalls had to be washed with a steam cleaner, and allowed to dry for 24 hours before painting. We purchased high gloss white paint to permit easy cleaning, and look at the difference!!

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The Royal Winter Fair is the largest indoor agricultural fair in the world, held in Toronto, and is enjoyed by both urban and rural folk for many very different reasons. For horse lovers, the horse show is the top event of choice but for one person in particular, the horse show is clearly a second choice. For Reade, entering and showing his feathered friends in the poultry event is always the highlight for him. In November 2001, Pierrette and Chris Evans, Deborah Wotherspoon and husband Dr. Richard Lister joined Janis and Reade for the Royal Horse show. During intermission, there was just enough time for a quick tour of the poultry winners and a group photo with Reade's Grand Champion White Plymouth Rock Hen. She earned the title of Grand Champion of the Royal Winter Fair's Poultry exhibit. As you can see in the photo, Reade was beaming from the honour. Pierrette and Chris Evans, Reade and Janis, Deborah Wotherspoon and Dr. Richard Lister with Grand Champion White Plymoth Rock at the 2001 Royal Winter Fair.

Following a day of racing at Gulfstream Park, in Florida, Paul & Jenni Rocamora, Brenda Dineno, Vicki Pappas and Bill Dyment, Janis and Reade Baker posed for a photo at diner.

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Jockey Jim McAleney sports the racing colours of Reade Baker. Made famous by the original owner of the colours, Conn Smythe, Reade was quick to register an application for the colours after Mr. Smythe's death. The colours are easily identifiable to Toronto hockey fans, as they resemble the blue and white uniform of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The colours are worn by the stable staff in the way of vests, jackets, hats and t-shirts. A team atmosphere is the goal, (excuse the pun) and the team sure looks great on race day!

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The success of a trainer's racing stable is quiet dependant upon the horses that he receives. We thank the following new clients for entrusting us with their horses. Adena Springs, The Mobile Stable, Anson Stud Farm, Happy Valley Thoroughtbreds and John Syrett.

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What started out as a joke, quietly became a competition amongst owners at the barn as we referred to the client whose payment arrived first as Owner of the Month. So in the spirit of the game, here is a list of owners of the month special mention goes to Paul Rocamora who sent his November payment in advance of receiving the invoice. Congratulations but most of all, thank you!

Earnings vs Expenses

We calculated the total expenses each client paid to the trainer for training in 2001 including all commissions paid to the trainer and GST. Then we took the total purse earnings the horses earned by client and measured the difference. The results indicated that 66% of our client's horses earned purse money to cover training expenses.

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With summer just around the corner you may want to attend some of the many social and sporting events. There is the CTHS Awards Dinner, Feature Stakes Races, and Premiere Horse Sales. Listed below are a number of notable events to mark on your calendar.