Expanded State Fair Race Meet kicks off

The State Fair Race has had four straight successful summers in an effort to keep live horse racing viable in Montana.

But the Great Falls Turf Club isn’t satisfied with the status quo; the organization is intent on making the meet bigger and better.

That’s certainly the case Saturday afternoon at 1 as the Turf Club kicks off its meet, which has been expanded by a day and will offer five shows the next two weekends at Montana ExpoPark.

Tom Tucker, the executive secretary of the Montana State Board of Horse Racing, said the Turf Club and greater Great Falls community deserve a collective pat on the back for the way the sport has been revived in the heart of the state.

“Just walking the grounds, everything looks really good. It seems like they’re ahead of where they’ve been in the past,” Tucker said. “I think they’re really got into a good groove here.”

The Turf Club, led by president Sparky Kottke and a hard-working, hands-on board, plans 10 races on both Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re not short very many fields,” Tucker said. “It’s a great thing that the Great Falls Turf Club can attract the horses to fill their races.”

More than 200 horses are currently training at ExpoPark. It’s expected that 15-20 jockeys will also be working hard to win races the next two weekends at the venerable facility.

“We’re a little concerned about the weather, because it’s a little hot,” Tucker said. “But hopefully with 10 races we can move them along and have everybody have a good time out here.”

The last two years, bettors have wagered nearly $500,000 during the Turf Club’s four-day offerings. The extra day this summer – a special 4 p.m. event next Friday – assures an even more memorable meeting.

“With that extra day starting with the State Fair should really be fun,” Tucker said. “I think the two complement each other real well.”

Tucker said the Turf Club’s fifth race meet is a reason to celebrate.

“It’s always a credit to the Great Falls Turf Club,” he said. “But to be honest with you, it’s a really big credit to the Great Falls community. Because without their support, this doesn’t happen. You need the people out there working hard to put on the show, but you also need the people who are willing to support it. Either by coming out, or donating or buying sponsorships.

“It’s really a combination of all those things that make this thing so exciting.”

Saturday’s card is led by the R&R Casino Feature, the ninth race, where 3-year-olds and up will race a mile and 70 yards for a $4,500 purse.

Other noteworthy races include the $3,600 Floors and More Feature, the $3,700 Topper and Kathy Tracy Appreciation Feature, the $3,700 Halftime Sports Bar and Casino Feature, and the $3,900 Torgerson’s Feature.

Race fans will notice many familiar names, both in the jockey’s room and among the owners. Veteran jocks Holly Gervais, Efren Prado and Zachary Bacon will have multiple mounts on Saturday. Among the owners returning to Montana ExpoPark are Harlan and Shawn Bird Rattler, James Craig and Jackie Smith.

SATURDAY’S OVERNIGHTS

1st Race. Maiden Allowance. Purse $3,500 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Maidens, Three Years Old And Upwards. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 J W Red …Beetem 126

2 Hubel Heights …Clunis 122

3 Dashing Prince …Figueroa 126

4 Justeasin …Prado 121

5 Rozaman …Bad Bear 126

6 Parker's Peggy Sue …Bugeaud 121

7 Exclusive Champ …Gervais 126

8 Little Wishes …Larsen 121

2nd Race. Bill Barrett Memorial Maiden Allowance. Purse $3,500 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Maidens, Three Years Old And Upwards. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 Shock Top Rio …Bugeaud 122

2 Pades Royal Baby …Gervais 121

3 Cats Stormy Native …Bird Rattler 122

4 Stitchofred …Gamez 116

5 Thunder Dash …Clunis 117

6 Osip …Spotted Horse 126

7 Elusive Charlotte …Larsen 121

3rd Race. Quarter Horse Allowance. Purse $3,500 300 Yards. For Three Year Olds And Upwards Which Have Never Won Two Races. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126. Open To Mixed Breeds.

1 Rodas Corona …Bird Rattler 126

2 Jessa Jet …Gervais 122

3 Time To Profit …Prado 122

4 Musical Jess …Figueroa 122

5 Paint Your Shamrock …Bacon 122

6 Super Coup Counter …Gamez 122

4th Race. Howard's Pizza Feature. Claiming $2,500. Purse $3,500 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Three Year Olds And Upwards Which Have Never Won Three Races. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 Marry Me Next …Clunis 126

2 Howie …Bird Rattler 126

3 Bounced …Spotted Horse 126

4 Pepper Cali …Gervais 121

5 Code For War …Figueroa 126

6 Special Momentum …Gamez 126

5th Race. Floors & More Feature. Claiming $2,500. Purse $3,600 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upwards Which Have Not Won A Race In 2017. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 Tupelo Bunny …Prado 126

2 Vee Secrets …Bird Rattler 126

3 Soul Spinner …Gamez 126

4 Rushin' Emerald …Clunis 126

5 Ruby Ann Who …Gervais 126

6 See Sosee Run …Bad Bear 121

7 My Gal Slew …Larsen 126

8 Jessilina …Carmouche 126

6th Race. Topper & Kathy Tracy Appreciation Feature. Quarter Horse Allowance. Purse $3,700 660 Yards. For Three Year Olds And Upwards Which Have Not Won A Race In 2017. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126. Open To Mixed Breeds.

1 Stick M Up …Bird Rattler 126

2 Mrs. Corcoran …Figueroa 121

3 L Bar D Countess …Gervais 121

4 Algutis …Prado 126

5 Wanna Be Fierce …Gamez 126

6 Book Me A Fight …Clunis 126

7 Zonic Zoom …Larsen 126

7th Race. Cowboy Bar & Museum Feature. Allowance. Purse $3,500 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upwards Which Have Never Won Two Races. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 Comanche Bound …Larsen 121

2 Miss Pinky Pie …Gervais 126

3 Belleatthebar …Bird Rattler 126

4 Red's Early Girl …Gamez 121

5 Midnite Passion …Bacon 126

6 Kahrhoff …Clunis 126

7 Rockin Rhythm …Bad Bear 126

8 Sevilles Lil Diva …Beetem 126

8th Race. Torgerson's Feature. Allowance. Purse $3,900 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upwards. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126.

1 Sparkling Peg… Figueroa 126

2 Storm In Paris …Bird Rattler 126

3 Bellamy's Song …Carmouche 126

4 Oscar Bravo …Gervais 126

5 Impulzive Kate …Prado 126

6 Wat Du U Want …Clunis 121

7 Emmasintomischief …Gamez 121

9th Race. R&R Casino Feature Stakes. Purse $4,500 1 Mile 70 Yards. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126, Fillies And Mares Allowed 5.

1 Crowd Idol …Clunis 126

2 Battle On …Figueroa 126

3 Chumaree Red …Carmouche 126

4 Storm On The River …Gamez 126

5 Sinaan …Gervais 126

6 Raspberry Road …Prado 126

10th Race. Halftime Sports Bar And Casino Feature. Starter Allowance. Purse $3,700 5 1/4 Furlongs. For Three Year Olds And Upwards Which Have Started For A Claiming Price Of $2,500 Or Less In 2016-2017. 3-year-olds 122, Older 126, Non-winners Of Race In 2017 Allowed 5.

1 Off The Deep End …Bird Rattler 126

2 Sugar King …Clunis 121

3 Holiday Flight …Larsen 121

4 Forever Man …Gamez 121

5 Offlee Royal …Gervais 121

6 Vernon Cat …Prado 126

7 Mitt …Figueroa 126

8 Ridgeline …Bad Bear 121

Post Time: 1 P.m.