It’s Horse Sense – Thoroughbred Beats Human Racers

05/06/2009 05:47

Blue Heron Bay leaves competition in the dust in novelty promotion for weekend competition

If only they were taking bets.

In perhaps the worst matchup in racing history, four-year-old thoroughbred horse Blue Heron Bay beat out five humans on Wednesday afternoon in a 1/16th-of-a-mile sprint at Northlands Park.

Hugh Huston, the horse's jockey, guessed he had a slight edge coming into the race.

"I would have been even money or better," Huston said. "They beat me to the gate. Other than that, I didn't see too much competition."

The event was a promotional stunt for a one-mile road race Friday at Northlands Park, when racers of all ages from as far as the United Kingdom will compete in eight races around the park grounds.

More than $5,000 is up for grabs in two elite races at the end of the night. And no, Blue Heron Bay won't be there.

Darcy Berard placed a distant second while Jennifer Kemp was third in Wednesday's race. Berard, 33, blamed the loss on an unfamiliar track and a poor training regimen.

"I think if we had more access to the track, I think we could end up racing here on a regular basis," Berard said, vowing to bring soccer cleats for better traction for future forays in the soft dirt track.

For amused onlookers, the race was a nice lunchtime diversion.

Ali Schymizek exercises horses at the track every morning and watched the race with co-workers. Minutes before the race, Schymizek, 20, made a bold prediction based on her 17 years of riding, as well as her inside knowledge of the jockey's strategies.

"The horse could do this sideways, backwards and on its head and could probably still win," Schymizek said. "I think it's hilarious."

While Berard may have expected to win, other competitors had more modest aspirations.

Kemp, 25, said she just hoped she wouldn't finish last. Kemp is currently training as a middle-distance runner and said the novelty was worth the risk that Blue Heron Bay might run right over her.

"I just thought it'd be a cool experience," she said.

The organizer of Friday's road race, Matt Norminton, finished fourth.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

CTV Edmonton sports' Adam Cook was also in the race and finished a disappointing second last. Way to go, Cookie!