Possibly the most recent entrant to the local standardbred racing scene in Yorkton is Ken Benson from North Dakota. Benson who has two horses with him, Leliahaswon and Mountrose Oliva, typically races in Manitoba, competing in the fair circuits.
He recently decided to try his hand in Regina and in Saskatchewan.
Benson has raced for about 31 years, starting in 1980. He grew up on a dairy farm and always loved horses which drew him to harness racing. Racing standardbreds has become a favorite a hobby for the oilfield worker from North Dakota.
He may be the second youngest driver on the Saskatchewan harness racing circuit today, but veteran Tyler Redwood is currently the top winning driver in the province at this point in the season. In addition he's currently ranked as the top trainer. "We're at the top right now and we're rolling," Redwood comments.
Friday evening Redwood claimed three wins, a couple of second place finished and a couple of thirds with others driving for him as well. "The barn's hot," he declares.
Redwood has returned to the Cornerstone Raceway in Yorkton for his sixth year of racing. He says he enjoys the atmosphere of the area. "It's nice to get away. You can camp, have a little bit of fun, race your horses and just live life," he proposes.
Redwood's string has grown to 19 horses. He's currently in the process of reducing that number. He moving some to other barns and sold a couple to reduce his number to 14 horses. "Then we'll try to restock with a couple of more if we can," he says.
After the Yorkton season ends, Redwood and his family will return home to Regina where he will continue to race for four weekends.
He attributes his racing success to his barn help and the horses themselves.
The animal does all the work for us. I just get in there behind it and try to give him the best trip I possibly can and if it works out, it works out," says Redwood who admits he drives quite aggressively.
In selecting horses for his stable, Redwood looks for horses that are sound, and clean legged. "The less equipment that I have to wear on them, the better. They have to have a little bit of gate speed to get out and get position if they have to and whether there's an area that I can improve off of somebody," he explains.
While he considered moving east in the sport in the past, he's set the idea aside for the time being. Saskatchewan is home and he has done well here, Redwood suggests. "I got my first hundredth driving win at home today. I got them all here in Yorkton," he points out.
Equally importantly, he and his wife have become the proud parents of three little ones, Parker, Tayvin and Keltin. Redwood is reluctant to uproot the family at this time.
Harness racing results for Tuesday, July 19 were: Race 1 - 1) Jomars Undapants, trained by S. McLeod, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Ronald N. McLeod of Regina, Sask. 2) Speedy Diva, trained by J. Cullen, driven by R. Cullen, owned by Keith R. and Margret M. Hannah of Waskada, Man., Ronald A, and Jodie M. Cullen of Glenboro, Man. 3) Shyloh Kimberly, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Shyloh Acres, Davidson, Sask. Race 2 - 1) Minettas Liberty, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Keith S. Johnson, Lashburn, Sask. 2) Stagger Lee, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Levi Morin of Yorkton, Sask. 3) Marlowe, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Don J. Soloninko of Wroxton, Sask. 3) Race 3 - 1) Weinrichtimes, trained by trained and driven by E. Tracey, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford, Sask, Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt, Sask. 2) Just A Mark, trained, driven and owned by Edward J. Tracey of Leduc, Alta.; 3) G Gs Dominator, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Glenn E. Grainger of Regina. Race 4 - 1) Premium Cigar, trained and driven by T. Redwood, leased by Tyler R. Redwood of Regina 2) Sophio Hanover, trained and driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Debra A. McInnes, Samantha M. Tamblyn of Yorkton. 3) Starlight Diva, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Glenda M. Giles of Kindersley, Sask. Race 5 - 1) Camaction, trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar. Alta. 2) Thief On The Run, trained, driven and owned by Clayton H. Braybrook of Kindersley 3) A Day To Play, trained and driven by T. Cullen, owned by Ronald A. and Jodie M. Cullen of Glenboro, Ashleigh M. Cullen of Cambridge, Ont., Travis A. Cullen of Glenboro. Race 6 - 1) Stonebridge Camlot, trained by K. Hanson, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Annabelle M. Pirie of Strathclair, Man. 2) Power Maid, trained by T. Redwood, driven by Rt. Baxter, owned by Derrick R. Markusson of Emerald Park, Sask., Glenn E. Grainger of Regina. 3) Twentyten, trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar. Race 7 - 1) Ignite The Spark, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Bonnie A. Galenzoski of Lumsden, Sask. 2) Rob Roy Blue Chip, trained by B. Gray, driven by E. Tracey, owned by Brian J. Gray of Raymore, Sask. 3) Bigtime Jackpot, trained by T. Redwood, driven by Rt Baxter, owned by Glenn E. and T. Jane Grainger of Regina. Race 8 - Race declared no contest. Race 9 - 1) Found My Desire, trained by S. Worthen, driven by T. Kaufman, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin, Man. 2) Dal Reo Indy, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Twisted Sisters Stable of Regina. 3) Als Dream Gal, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Glenda M. Giles of Kindersley.
Results of the Yorkton harness races for Friday, July 22 were: Race 1 - 1) Premium Cigar, trained and driven by T. Redwood, leased by Tyler Redwood. 2) Naknak Whodare, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Nancy L. King, Max J. McInnes of Yorkton, Sask. 3) Ashley Rocks, trained by M. Haining, driven by E. Tracey, owned by Perry Trost of Yorkton. Race 2 - 1) Stagger Lee, trained and driven by B. Gray, owned by Levi Morin of Yorkton. 2) Marlowe, trained E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Don J. Soloninko of Wroxton, Sask. 3) Minettas Liberty, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Keith S. Johnson of Lashburn, Sask. Race 3 - 1) G Gs Dominator, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Glenn E. Grainger of Regina, Sask. 2) Shyloh Kimberly, trained and driven by C. Braybrook, owned by Shyloh Acres of Davidson, Sask. 3) Freedomsinferno, trained and driven by D. Tracey, owned by Minettas Holding Ltd., Didsbury, Alta. Race 4 - 1) Ignite The Spark, trained and driven by T. Redwood, owned by Bonnie A. Galenzoski of Lumsden, Sask. 2) Barona Fivehundred, trained by S. Worthen, driven by R. Remillard, owned by Bill C. Welcher of Roblin, Man. 3) Bad Dude, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford, Sask, Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt, Sask. Race 5 - 1) Stonebridge Camlot, trained by K. Hanson, driven by H. Woods, owned by Annabelle M. Pirie of Strathclair, Man. 2) Power Maid, trained by T. Redwood, driven by Rt Baxter, owned by Derrick R. Markusson of Emerald Park, Sask., Glenn E. Grainger of Regina. 3) Twentyten, trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar, Alta. Race 6 - 1) Just So Justified, trained, driven and owned by C. Braybrook of Kindersley, Sask. 2) Camaction, trained, driven and owned by Donald J. Tracey of Calmar. 3) Barona Galaxy, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Harry J. Fleury of Saskatoon, Sask., Shyloh Acres, Larry Packey of Davidson. Race 7 - 1) ling Kaching, trained, driven and owned by Clayton C. Braybrook of Kindersley. 2) Weinrichtimes, trained and driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Jerry A. Hagenaars of Hafford and Blake F. Piwniuk of MacNutt. 3) Just A Mark, trained, driven and owned by Edward J. Tracey of Leduc, Alta. Race 8 - 1) Out Of Sorts, trained by K. Hanson, driven by H. Woods, owned by Annabelle M. Pirie of Strathclair. 2) Way Outa Bounds, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Joe Soloninko of Wroxton. 3) Judges Discretion, trained by T. Redwood, driven by Bt Baxter, owned by Kelvin S. Godlien of Regina. Race 9 - 1) Four Starzz Smiley, trained by E. Bell, driven by B. Piwniuk, owned by Joe Soloninko of Wroxton. 2) Luckys Lil Dude, trained, driven and leased by Brian J. Gray of Raymore, Sask. 3) Bigtime Jackpot, trained by T. Redwood, driven by Rt Baxter, owned by Glenn E. and T. Jane Grainger of Regina.
