He was going to take a year off from owning a harness racing horse, but just couldn't force himself to stay out of the sport. Local standardbred owner Ron Boehm, who has owned harness horses for the past four years, has maintained an interest in race horses, both standardbreds and thoroughbreds for about 50 years.
Boehm was drawn into the local race scene when he learned of a local auction and discovered that one horse, Just So Justified wasn't sold. He talked to local owners Betty and Gene Denischuk, proposing a partnership in the horse. Both Boehm and Betty Denischuk liked the animal and the they became partners in the horse for three years.
What began as a frustrating experience ended as a very satisfying result, Boehm says. "The horse had trouble with breaking and became a bonafide race horse," he explains.
Boehm claims he developed a bond with the horse. He worked to become a 'hands on' owner. He visited the barns regularly and frequently jogged Just So Justified.
His attention to his horse has brought Boehm into contact with the many folks who are part of the local harness racing scene. "I know all the trainers, the people who work in the back stretch, and volunteers. It's just a nice way to spend six months of entertainment," he states.
Yorkton is fortunate to have a hockey team, a baseball team, horse racing and the Riders, he suggests. "You can't get much better than that," Boehm declares.
Ideally Boehm would like to own a little acreage, have a little barn and keep a horse or two. He says it's a satisfying experience. "No matter how good or bad I felt in the day, whenever I would see the horse, I always felt better," he suggests.
This year Boehm owns Mystery Road, a four year old filly out of Alberta, where many of the horse which race in Yorkton come from. Each year the racing is getting more competitive, he suggests. Mystery Road has had four starts in Yorkton, winning a first, second, a fifth and a sixth place.
In successfully campaigning a race horse, the animal has to have good capability, Boehm says. The trainer is very crucial, he emphasizes.
Harness racing is a great way to spend two and a half hours once a week, Boehm asserts. Mingling with the different people involved in the sport and race fans when the weather cooperates is his idea of an entertaining evening.
Owning and racing a standardbred horse isn't for the faint of heart or light of wallet, Boehm notes. He estimates it costs about $6,000 each year to campaign a horse. The cost includes six months of wintering the animal and six months of training and racing the horse. That said, Boehm claims he can't think of a better way to spend six month of every year.
Harness race results for the eight card race meet Saturday, July 9 were: Race 1 - 1) Naknak Whodare, trained by S. Worthen , driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Nancy L. King and Max McInnes of Yorkton Sask. 2) Bling Kaching, trained, driven and owned by Clayton H. Braybrook of Kindersley, Sask. 3) G Gs Dominator, trained and driven by Tyler Redwood, owned by Glenn E. Grainger of Regina, Sask. Race 2 - 1) Minettas Liberty, trained and driven by Tyler Redwood, owned by Keith S. Johnson of Lashburn, Sask. 2) Power Maid, trained by Tyler Redwood, driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Derrick R. Markusson of Emerald Park, Sask. and Glenn E. Grainger of Regina, Sask. 3) Jomars Tami, trained by S. McLeod, driven by D. Tracey, owned by Ronald N. McLeod, Regina. Race 3 - 1) Intheghetto, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Brian J. Gray of Raymore, Sask. and Alfred P. Labas of Yorkton. 2) Interstate Five, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Haenaars of Hafford, Sask. And Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt, Sask. 3) Red Star Best, trained by S. Worthen, driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin, Man. Race 4 - 1) Saatog Sonic May, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Paul B. and Darrell A. Gotaas of Edmonton, Alta. 2) Sophio Hanover, trained and driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Debra A. McInnes and Samantha M. Tamblyn of Yorkton. 3) Premium Cigar, trained, driven and owned by Tyler Redwood of Regina. Race 5 - 1) Black Mac, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Trevor and Michael Williams, Winnipeg, Man. 2) Rob Ray Blue Chip, trained driven and owned by Brian J. Gray of Raymore. 3) Barona Fivehundred, trained by S. Worthen, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Bill C. Welcher, Roblin. Race 6 - 1) Four Starzz Smiley, trianed by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Joe Soloninko of Wroxton, Sask. 2) Mystery Road, trained by S. Worthen, driven by t.Kaufman, owned by Ronald J. Boehm of Yorkton. 3) Miss Laguna Beach, trained by S. McLeoc, driven by K. Siever, owned by Ronald N. McLeod, Regina. Race 7 - 1) Found My Desire, trained by S. Worthen, driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin. 2) Way Outa Bounds, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Joe Soloninko of Roblin. 3) Dal Reo Indy, trained by E. Bell, driven by E. Tracey, owned by the Twisted Sisters Stable of Regina. Race 8 - 1) Skittles N Beer, trained, driven and owned by Edward J. Tracey of Leduc, Alta. 2) Bigtime Jackpot, trained and driven by Tyler Redwood, owned by Gelnn E. and T. Jane Grainger of Regina. 3) Bad Dude (tie), Trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford and Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt. 3) Right on Willie (tie), trained by E. Bell, driven by K. Siever, owned by Elaine R. Bell of MacNutt, T. Jane Grainger of Regina and Ruth A. Carriere of Roblin.
