Race fans taking in the weekly harness races typically don't see the folks who work hard behind the scenes to make the race meets successful.
Off the track, in the barns and paddock, grooms, veterinarians, trainers and paddock workers all in race preparation. The paddock judges also play an important role in seeing that rules are followed and a high degree of decorum is part of the race scene.
Sam Chupa, who started as a paddock worker when the local skating club provided workers in return for a donation to the club, has since earned her official certification and is currently head paddock judge. She was the skating club president when she began.
Chupa is ably assisted by race secretary Nadine Bell and Zorka Fuentes from Sask. Liquor and Gaming.
Paddock judges are responsible for paddock preparation, making sure horses have the right identifying tatoo and right number, as well as the correct head number. Paddock judges ensure each horse has the right driver and each outfit is ready to go out onto the track on time. Occasionally the paddock judges need to help settle disagreements and battles in a high energy sport when emotions tend to run a little high.
They're also sometimes the bearers of bad tidings. When race judges cite an infraction, the paddock judge must notify the drivers. Once in awhile the messenger feels the displeasure of the drivers, trainers and owners who aren't too pleased with the message as often as not.
Chupa says she's no longer intimidated after working in the paddock for five years. She's earned the respect of those she works with. "It's a good group of guys here this year. They've started respecting us women back here," she reports.
The bulk of the work of the paddock judges involves work before and during the races, says Chupa.
The post race duties include involves clean-up, cleaning the saddle pads, putting numbers away and making sure all equipment is returned ti the storage facilities.
Harness race results for Tuesday, August 2 were: Race 1 - 1) Kalahari Six, trained, driven and owned by Kevin J. Siever of Swift Current, Sask. 2) Shyloh Kimberly, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Shyloh Acres of Davidson, Sask. 3) Voodoo Magic, trained by M. Haining, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Mark A.J. Haining of Yorkton, Sask.
Race 2 - 1) Kinset Hanover, trained S. McLeod, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Ronald N. McLeod of Regina, Sask. 2) Invincible Yankee, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin, Man. 3) Good One, trained by M. Haining, driven by K. Siever, owned by Mark A.J. Haining of Yorkton.
Race 3 - 1) Stonebridge Camlot, trained by B. Piwniuk, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Annabelle M. Pirie of Strathclair, Man. 2) Thief On The Run, trained, driven and owned by Clayton H. Braybrook of Kindersley, Sask. 3) Camaction trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar, Alta.
Race 4 - 1) Tax Trap, trained by R.T. Baxter, driven by T. Redwood, owned by Perry Trost of Yorkton. 2) Starlite Diva, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Glenda M. Giles of Kindersley. 3) Sophio Hanover, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Debra A. McInnes and Samantha M. Tamblyn of Yorkton.
Race 5 - 1) Just A Mark, trained, driven and owned by Edward J. Tracey of Leduc, Alta. 2) Bling Kaching, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Victor Bucsis of Melville, Bobby Lee Kozushka, Nathan Ortynsky of Yorkton. 3) Jomars Nopants, trained by S. McLeod, driven by D. Tracey, owned by Ronald N. McLeod of Regina.
Race 6 - 1) Kg Warrior, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Shawn M. Worthen, Nancy L. King of Yorkton. 2) Jax, trained, driven and owned by David Cameron of Regina. 3) Just So Justified, trained, driven and owned by Clayton H. Braybrook of Kindersley.
Race 7 - 1) Minettas Liberty, trained by R. T. Baxter, driven by T. Redwood, owned by Keith S. Johnson of Lashburn, Sask. 2) Dal Reo Indy, trained by E. Bell, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Twisted Sisters Stable of Regina. 3) Saatog Sonic May, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Paul B. and Darrell A. Gotaas of Edmonton, Alta.
Harness racing results for Friday, August 5 were: Race 1 - 1) Sophio Hanover, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Debra A. McInnes and Samantha M. Tamblyn of Yorkton, Sask. 2) Just A Mark, trained, driven and owned by Eward J. Tracey of Leduc, Alta. 3) Kalahari Six, trained, driven and owned by Kevin J. Siever of Swift Current, Sask.
Race 2 - 1) Iza Bin Freezin, trained and driven by E. Tracey, owned by Betty L. Tracey of Leduc. 2) Kalahari Cajun, trained, driven and owned by Kevin J. Siever of Swift Current. 3) Freedoms-inferno, trained and driven by D. Tracey, owned by Minettas Holdings of Didsbury, Alta.
Race 3 - 1) Right n Willie, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Elaine R. Bell of MacNutt, Sask., Ruth A. Carriere of Roblin, Man., Patricia Gayle of Wroxton, Sask., Tyson Becker of Yorkton, Sask.
Race 4 - 1) Marlowe, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Don J. Soloninko of Wroxton. 2) Stagger Lee, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Levi Morin of Yorkton. 3) Jomars Tami, trained . McLeod, driven by D, Tracey, owned by Ronald N. McLeod of Regina, Sask.
Race 5 - 1) Power Maid, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Derrick R. Markusson of Emerald Park, Sask., Glenn E. Grainger of Regina. 2) Weinrich-times, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford, Sask., Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt. 3) Dal Reo Indy, trained by E. Bell, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Twisted Sisters Stable of Regina.
Race 6 - 1) Red Star Best, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin. 2) Intheghetteo, trained, driven and owned by Brian J. Gray of Raymore, Sask, Alfred P. Labas of Yorkton. 3) Bad Dude, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford, Blake F. Piwniuk of Macnutt.
Race 7 - 1) Tajwon, trained and driven by R. Remillard, owned by Ruth E. Welcher of Roblin. 2) Drumheller, trained and driven by G. Manning, owned by Donald E. Ransom of Boissevain, Man., Keith Earle of Winnipeg, Man. 3) Black Mac, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Trevor and Michael Williams of Winnipeg.
Race 8 - 1) Abbafun, trained by E. Bell, driven by G. Le Drew, owned by Elaine R. Bell of MacNutt, Ruth A. Carriere of Roblin, Dana Soloninko of Wroxton, Penny Wychopen of Roblin. 2) Skittles N Beer, trained, driven and owned by Edward J. Tracey of Leduc. 3) Four Starzz Smiley, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Joe Soloninko of Wroxton.
Race 9 - 1) Serge-irachpaninoff, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Annabelle M. Pirie of Strathclair, Man. 2) Jax, trained, driven and owned by David Cameron of Regina, 3) Sassy Lil Beach, trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar.
