Reade Baker Racing Stable

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06/22/08 - BEAR NOW WINS THE HILL N DALE STAKES - The 2007 winner of the Fitz Dixon Cotillion was shining again as she held on to the win the Hill n Dale stakes race at Woodbine on Saturday. This was the second year in a row that she has won this event under jockey Jarry Baird. Bear Now was 3rd in the Allaire de Dupont Stakes stakes race at Pimlico last month. Following the race, she underwent a surgical procedure by Dr. Ducharme at Cornell to correct an entrapped epiglottis. Bear Now earned a 92 beyer speed rating for the victory. Reade was in Virginia at Colonial Downs to saddle Kentucky Bear in the Colonial Turf Cup. The race was run in the middle of thunder storm, and Kentucky Bear did not handle the yielding turf.

06/21/08 - STORM CALLER STUMBLES - It was a disappointing day on Friday as Storm Caller stumbled coming out of the gate in the Yankee Victor Stakes race at Belmont, dropping jockey Eibar Coa. Owner Jim Hill was there with his son Robert, sisters Nancy Clark, Barb Purdy and Barb's son Matthew. Sue Hill was unable to attend but was able to watch the race on television. Storm Caller was unhurt, the jockey suffered a fractured rib which was not serious. We are glad the horse is healthy and will race again soon.

06/16/2008 - HORSES FOR COURSES - It is Queen's Plate week at Woodbine and the festivities began this afternoon with a BBQ and parade of horses for the media. East End Tap was lead into the walking ring by his groom Irina and our assistant trainer Leroy. The colt is by Pleasant Tap out of East End Lady and is our Plate contender for owner Ed Lipton's Sheik Yobuti Racing Stable. The horse is coming into this race in excellent health and should like the 1 1/4 distance. The race runs on Sunday June 22nd. In the meantime, Kentucky Bear and Storm Caller will have other courses to compete at this weekend.

KENTUCKY BEAR ON HIS WAY TO COLONIAL DOWNS - Kentucky Bear left this morning for Colonial Downs race course to run in the Colonial Turf Cup on Saturday June 21st.

STORM CALLER HEADING TO NEW YORK - Reade is all set to enter Storm Caller in the Yankee Victor Stakes race at Belmont to be run on Friday June 20th. Entries are taken on Wednesday, and then the colt will van to New York. Jim and Susan Hill are looking for their 3rd win in as many starts having scored 2 for 2 at Belmont Park this season already with Northern Netti and Find the Wire.

06/12/08 - MINNIE MEETS FAWN - It was a very special day as you can see, Minnie meets a baby deer who was just as friendly and just as inquisitive. How cute is that?

06/08/08 - WOODBINE OAKS DAY - It is another hot and steamy day in Ontario as we begin this Sunday June 8th day of racing at Woodbine. We were in New York yesterday at the Belmont racetrack. It was 90 degrees and the grand old dame of racing is showing her age. The internal working of the plunbing system was taxed to the extreme as attendants had to bring in water to keep things flowing if you know what I mean. When the day was over, Fatal Bullet did not handle the track or the heat, as he finished 8th in the Woody Stephens Stakes race. Big Brown did not win the Triple Crown, and on the way out of the track at the end of the day, a couple of young girls wearing PETA t-shirts, and holding billboard sized photos of George Washington and the fallen Eight Belles, asked us if we would like a brochure. Sad.

On a lighter note, Find the Wire broke his maiden going 1 3/16 on the turf at Belmont Park on Thursday afternoon. Owned by Jim and Susan Hill, Find the Wire is by Orientate and was ridden to victory by Eibar Coa. With the win last month by Northern Netti, the combinaion of Baker, Hill and Coa are now two for two at Belmont Park.

READE LEADS IN THE WOODBINE TRAINER STANDINGS - The stable has won 10 races at Woodbine, 2 in New York and 4 in Florida so far in 2008. As of June 8th, Reade is one of 5 trainers tied for the lead at Woodbine with 10 wins.

05/27/08 - FATAL BULLET GOES TO NEW YORK - Fatal Bullet won his third race this year on Friday 05/23 at Woodbine. In doing so, he earned a 94 beyer. Reade and owner Danny Dion have decided to race him at Belmont on June 7th in a stakes race on the under card of Belmont Day.Edgar Prado has the call to ride Fatal Bullet.

KENTUCKY BEAR - Kentucky Bear is back at Woodbine and can be seen on the training track for the most part. His next start will be at Colonial Downs on the turf and Elvis Trillio will be back aboard.

05/18/08 - THE DAY AFTER - It is the day after the Preakness and all is well. Kentucky Bear stumbled coming out of the gate and then had to make up a new strategy as the race got away on him. Jamie Theriot tried a few times to get a clear path for Kentucky Bear, only to get checked twice. After the race, Jamie was disappointed about the trip and said that he felt that Kentucky Bear could have been second. At some point in the race a horse clipped Kentucky Bear's hind leg and badly bent his hind shoe. We are happy that the horse came out of the race as well as he did, and we'll get to see more of him. He heads back to Woodbine on Monday.

BEAR NOW - was nosed out of second place in the Allaire de Dupont Stakes race yesterday after a brillant effort. Following the race she was scoped and it was discovered that she had an entrapped epiglotis. She will have a procedure next week to correct this problem. We'll see Bear Now in the winners's circle again soon.

05/16/08 - RAIN ALL NIGHT AND ALL MORNING. - Both Kentucky Bear and Bear Now did not mind the constant rainfall this morning as they went to the racetrack to train. The exercise rider and groom on the other hand would have preferred it to be dry. The horses are both enjoying themselves. Big Brown is also stabled in the Stakes Barn and I like to refer to the race day match up as Big Chestnut vs. Big Brown. Preakness day weather calls for 75 degrees and sunny. The rain should end this evening, and there is a chance of rain in the evening on Saturday. The track is expected to be fast by Preakness time.

05/15/08 - PREAKNESS DAY SATURDAY MAY 17TH - KENTUCKY BEAR IS READY. - With only 3 days away from the 133th running of the Preakness Stakes, Kentucky Bear is seen grazing with rider Cassie Garcea after his morning gallop and bath.

BEAR NOW IS ALSO AT PIMLICO - Bear Now stops on her way out to train, for the photo with Cassie Garcea and Sherri Wickett. Bear Now will run in the 11th race on Saturday May 17th.

05/05/08 - NORTHERN NETTI WINS THE BOUWERIE AT BELMONT - What an impressive win for Jim and Susan Hill's undefeated, now stakes winning, 3 year old filly by City Zip. Going 7 furlongs for the first time, the fans in New York decided to back others and Northern Netti went off at 10-1 at post time.

Tyler Pizarro was named to ride the filly but due to a riding injury was unable to make the trip. Eibar Coa was given the call after his mount in the race was scratched. Eibar Coa only needed to know one thing when Reade spoke with him in the paddock prior to being legged up. The jockey asked " does she need to be on the lead?" Reade responded with a resounding "no". The rest is history. Northern Netti sat off the pace and when asked to go she opened up the distnce between her and the rest of the field . She was 9 1/4 lengths ahead at the finish line, and earned a 99 beyer speed rating. The time for the race was a quick 1:21.2

Jim and Susan Hill were unable to attend the race however, Nancy Clark, Jim's sister was there to represent the team. Pictured below is Janis, Reade & Nancy celebrating the stakes victory in true Belmont style with champagne.

04/13/08 - KENTUCKY BEAR DOMINATES THIRD PLACE IN BLUE GRASS - The Mr. Greeley colt was all business yesterday at Keeneland as he captured third spot in the $750,000 Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass for Danny Dion's Bear Stables. After the race, jockey Jamie Teriot said Kentucky Bear could run 2 miles, and that he was still learning but he could beat any kind of horse. He earned a 90 beyer number. The race was run in 1:49 .3. The earnings of $75,000 may not be enough to win him a place amongst 20 horses that will be entitled to enter the Derby.

It was a busy day at Woodbine yesterday as PAYDAY PERIL won an allowance race under Jim McAleney for Harlequin Ranches. Look for more action for the stable today as we send out Amazing Miss, Bearursa and Fatal Bullet.

04/09/08 - KENTUCKY BEAR - Is at Keeneland and breezed 5/8 under rider Jamie Theriot. Reade is happy with the way the colt is handling his training and expects a very good effort on Saturday the 12th, in the Toyota Blue Grass.

04/07/08 - NORTHERN NETTI NETS A BIG WIN - Jim and Sue Hill lead the winning owners list at Woodbine with the victory by undefeated Northern Netti in the 3rd race at Woodbine on Sunday. This is the third win in 2008 for the Hill's stable. Northern Netti is a New York bred, by City Zip.

04/06/08 - BRIGHT PICK WINS AT WOODBINE - Bright Pick won the 3rd race at Woodbione yesterday. It was the first horse to run at Woodbine for the Reade Baker Racing Stable and with Jim McAleney in the irons, and assistant Leroy Trotman at the helm, we are confident for another super season. Bright Pick is a 3 year old chesnut gelding by Crafty Prospector out of Sunshine Again. He is owned by Jim and Sue Hill of Calgary.

It was a busy day at Woodbine as the sunny warm day brought out a huge crowd. I'm certain that management wished everyday was Opening Day.

Watch for Callendar Boy, Northern Netti and Executive Choice as they make their 2008 debut today at Woodbine.

04/02/08 - FOUR STARTERS FOR WOODBINE'S OPENER - We are so excited about being back in action at Woodbine as the 2008 season opens on Saturday April 5th.

We begin with Bright Pick in race 3 for Jim and Sue Hill, and in the 4th race we have Awesome Cali for Jim McAlpine.

The next starter will be in the 6th race with Boldcorp, again for Jim and Susan Hill, and then Wonderous Glory for Ester and Tony Shalom's Mr. T Stable will run in the 8th race. See you there!

03/31/08 - KENTUCKY BEAR GOING TO THE BLUE GRASS IN KENTUCKY - There was much consideration given about where Kentucky Bear would make his next start.

Reade had nominated him to the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne on April 5th, the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 5th and in the Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 12th.

After a call to the Bear Stables' owner Danny Dion this morning, Reade has announced that Kentucky Bear will fly to Keeneland on April 1st and race in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

Kentucky Bear breezed a very good 5/8 in :59 at Palm Meadows this morning.

Only 5 days until the opening day of live racing at Woodbine and we plan to have a few runners both on Saturday and Sunday. We will post the horses in the next few days so please check back.

03/08/08 - STAKES WINNER BOLDEST OF ALL - with her Leap Year foal by Sky Mesa. The filly was born on Friday February 29th. You can see plenty of snow in the background of Curraghmore Farm in Ontario. This is our first foal of the year. Remember to change your clocks tonight as we move into Daylight savings time. Move your clocks 1 hour ahead before you go to sleep tonight.

03/06/08 - JIM MCALENEY IN FLORIDA - With just one month before the opening of the Woodbine 2008 season, jockey Jim McAleney is working horses in Florida at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows. Pictured here on Mrs. Began, the winner of the 2007 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

02/22/08 - BOLDCORP WINS MAIDEN ALLOWANCE AT GULFSTREAM PARK - It was a sloppy racetrack and the race was taken off the turf. In a field of 14, only 4 horses were scratched from the race leaving 10 contenders for the $40,000 purse. Under the guidance of Elvis Trujillo, Boldcorp was the winner. The ride was patient, and the filly was quite interested in holding onto the lead once she gained it at the 16th pole. Boldcorp is owned by Jim and Susan Hill of Calgary. They purchased Boldcorp as a yearling at the CTHS yearling sale at Woodbine in September 2006. Boldcorp is by Bold Executive out of Incorporated by Corporate Report. The race went 5 furlongs in :59.1.

01/22/08 - KENTUCKY BEAR EYES KENTUCKY DERBY - At odds of 10/1 Kentucky Bear under jockey Elvis Trujillo drew away from the field of three year old colts to win a maiden allowance race at Gulfstream Park yesterday. Kentucky Bear is by the very popular sire Mr. Greeley out of Tate, a mare by Afleet. Bred in Kentucky by Alexander Valley Breeders, the colt was a $42,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland. Danny Dion of the Bear Stables Ltd. is the owner. The race went in 1:36.2 for the mile and Kentucky Bear earned a 93 beyer speed rating for the effort. The early nominations for the Kentucky Derby closed on January 19th and Kentucky Bear is on that list.

01/18/08 - IT IS MINNIE'S 10TH BIRTHDAY TODAY !! Isn't she cute?!!!

01/18/08 - SPECIAL WISHES ARE EXTENDED TO LOUIS AND JOANNE BONOMI - as they are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary at a party tonight being given by their children and grandchildren.

THE ACTUAL WEDDING DATE WAS DECEMBER 30TH. - We wish them 50 mores years together.

LOVE OF THE GAME
Courtesy of the TND- JANUARY 4th 2008

Woodbine-based Reade Baker earned a Sovereign Award as Canada's leading trainer in 2005, when his charges Gold Strike and Judith's Wild Rush were honored with championships as top three-year-old filly and top sprinter, respectively. Judith's Wild Rush successfully defended his title in 2006, while Baker was a finalist in the training category.

In 2007, Baker was a finalist once again, but made a couple of raids south of the border and could be poised to make a bigger impact in 2008. Bear Now (Tiznow) captured three stakes by big margins at Woodbine in 2007, including the GIII Selene S., but posted her biggest tally by toppling Octave in the $750,000 GII Fitz Dixon Cotillion H. at Philadelphia Park in September. Though she faded to eighth in the sloppy going in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff a month later, Bear Now was a Sovereign Award finalist in the sophomore filly category. After getting some time off, she is set to rejoin Baker's string at Palm Meadows at any moment. "She'll ship in from Ocala," Baker said. "She hasn't done a thing since the Breeders' Cup, but she should be ready to run by the end of Gulfstream."

Baker campaigned another Sovereign Award finalist last year, the unbeaten two-year-old colt Bear Holiday (Harlan's Holiday). The grey colt captured the Colin S. in July and added the Silver Deputy S. in August over Woodbine's Polytrack, but was scratched on the eve of the Swynford S. Sept. 15. Danny Dion's colt has been sidelined since. "Bear Holiday has not recovered yet," said Baker. "He had a stress fracture to his femur, which is a Poly injury." When asked if more hind-end problems were seen on the all-weather surfaces, Baker replied, "You see more in a year than you would have in an entire career."

While it remains to be seen whether Bear Holiday will recapture his sparkling juvenile form, Baker does have some promising newly turned three-year-olds among his 15-horse string at Palm Meadows. Among them is Notgivinmyloveaway (Not for Love), who faces a class test in the GII Hutcheson S. on Saturday. After winning first time out at Woodbine Sept. 14, the chestnut ran in a pair of allowance contests at that track, finishing third by a half-length Nov. 8. He then shipped down to Philadelphia and dusted his foes by five lengths in the Pennsylvania Nursery S. Nov. 24.

"We sent him there because he's a Pennsylvania-bred," Baker noted, "but part of the reason...we sent him to Philadelphia was to see if he could be as good a dirt horse as he is on Polytrack." Baker added, AHe got a 7 on the Ragozin sheets. It's a big number, but he'll face a different kind of beast in the Hutcheson. We'll see if he can maintain that kind of number." The Pennsylvania Nursery has some distinguished alumni in recent years, with Smarty Jones winning in 2003 and Hard Spun taking the honors last year. AWe think he'll be a twoturn horse, but I don't know if he'll be up to those kind of horses," said Baker.

Notgivinmyloveaway shipped back to Woodbine after his victorious stakes bow, then came down to Florida in mid-December. Baker commented, AHe's doing fine. He worked a minute the other day [five-eighths in 1:00.60 Dec. 30]." Should the Jus Luk Stable colorbearer pass his class test in the Hutcheson, Baker will look to stretch him out. "If he runs well, then we'll take a look at races like the [GI] Florida Derby [Mar. 29]...or the [GIII] Holy Bull [Apr. 12]. We'll take it one step at a time."

Baker, who grew up with horses, has been on the racetrack since 1965. "I've galloped horses, was a jock's agent and managed Afleet," the Ontario native recalled. Baker served as a racing manager for Richard Kennedy from 1985-1990, whose stable during that time included the likes of Canadian Horse of the Year Afleet (Mr. Prospector), Canadian champion One From Heaven (Affirmed) and MGSW Storm on the Loose (Lyphard). |

Of all the hats he's worn in the business, Baker said, "[Being a] jock's agent might be my first choice." He quipped, "I love being with horses every day, and training horses, but don't like being a trainer." Baker and his wife, Janis Maine, have enjoyed success with a small broodmare band, campaigning homebred stakes winners Elusive Thought (Elusive Quality) and Ontheqt (Mazel Trick). But he also has an interesting hobby, namely, of showing birds--chickens and ducks. "My dad gave me birds when I was little," said Baker. He's shown a few champions with partner Frank Goodfellow, including several waterfowl at the 2007 Royal Winter Fair.