Rocky Mountain Turf Club kicks off 2022 fall season

By Lethbridge Herald on September 5, 2022.

Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Juan Apango, in white, rides to victory on Pure Rose ahead of Trevor Simpson in blue and Orlando Foster in red during the second race of the fall season in this 2022 file photo at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Rocky Mountain Turf Club  horse racing started up its fall season with races on Sunday and Monday.

There was $60,000 up for grabs each day  with the  winners taking home $10,000 each.

“The fall is a stronger … program with more stakes races,” said  Max Gibb, RMTC’s CEO and principle.

“Like today (Sunday), there’s six races and $60,000 will be won today and jockeys  y the way get 10 per cent of their winnings. It’s a good time and two weeks from now is the ‘B’ Cup and again there will be six races at $10,000 a race plus additional races. So the fall is when they can make some money.”

The RMTC’s version of the Kentucky Derby will see a $15,000 race being hosted  on Thanksgiving Day which will be the last day of the season.

“They’re (jockeys)coming really  very much a part of our community and  they’re sharper and they’re trying to make money to take them through the winter and some of them going home and  with families,” said Gibb.

“It’s very competitive and they’re wanting to ride.”

Gibb said it’s been strong and good, when asked about the season.

“We’re very positive, very optimistic,” he said.

“It was little rough withthe  COVID, but we’re having a strong comeback and we see next year bigger and better than ever.”

Jockey Larris Allen said  he wants to ride some good races, stay safe and get home safe to his wife and kids.

“To be truthful with you, I would like to be the leading rider here for the fall because I really wanted the spring,” he said.

“So if I could be the leading rider in the fall, that would be like a feather in my cap.”

Warrior Relay Races will happen on Sept. 24 and 25.

Horse races go every weekend in September and into October starting at 1 p.m.