Trainer's reunion filled with ovations, warm greetings at B.C. Breeders' Classic
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Updated: November 16, 2009 1:16 PM
It was an overwhelming homecoming for Cloverdale's Casie Coleman.
On Nov. 11 – B.C. Breeders Classic Day – the top female harness racing trainer returned to Fraser Downs for the first time in almost nine years.
People she knew growing up turned out in droves to welcome her back.
"I've talked with folks I haven't seen in years," she said. "I'm overwhelmed with the turnout and response. It's heart warming."
The 29-year-old Coleman was special guest at the raceway for the 2009 B.C. Breeders' Classic, along with two of the country's premier harness racing drivers, Mark MacDonald and Rick Zeron, who fared exceptionally well at the multi-race event.
Zeron drove favourite Legal Suspensory to victory in the $75,000 Mary Murphy B.C. Breeders Stake for three-year-old fillies.
MacDonald didn't manage a stake final victory, but he charmed the crowd with three consecutive wins in the third, fourth and fifth races. He also won the nightcap in the 12th race.
Ed Hensley won both $40,000 non-wagering stakes for two-year-olds, beating Red Star Dana by a neck in the fillies division and Nobody Can to a one-length victory over True Humility in the colts and geldings division.
Dave Hudon and the favoured Camblazer rode to victory in the $75,000 Robert Murphy B.C. Breeders Stake for three year old colts and geldings.
When not signing autographs or saying hello to long-time friends, Coleman made a point of visiting the winner's circle for each of the four Stake finals – earning ovations from fans each time she did so.
Coleman's appearance at the raceway – which held a silent auction fundraising event the same day – was her way of saying thank you to the staff at Victoria's Royal Jubilee Hospital. Ten years ago, she suffered severe burns in a barn accident at Sandown Park, where she was working as a groom. She credits staff at Royal Jubilee for saving her life.
The auction raised more than $23,000 for the hospital's burn unit.
