Playfair Short On Riders

Opening week at Playfair Race Course ends Wednesday with a peculiar twist on a nationwide problem.

Playfair had enough stock the first two nights of the season, with a boost from Arabian horses. One Arabian race filled out the program both Sunday and Monday nights.

The critical shortage is lack of riders.

When Connie Sam went down Sunday night with a separated shoulder - injured just prior to the first race - the track was limited to 9 healthy jockeys.

Rita Ekins, who rode Saturday night, has returned to a job with a Central Washington school district, a track official said Monday.

Ron Bilodeau apparently will accept mounts Sunday nights, but has a job in Montana that will keep him away on week nights.

Playfair’s usual schedule is Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings, with two more Saturday nights scheduled prior to the Dec. 17 closing night.

Gallyn Mitchell, former leading rider here and the top jockey at Emerald Downs, offered his services Saturday night, but did not ride Sunday.

One horse, Chasin’ Bubbly, had to be scratched out of the final race Sunday night for lack of a rider, racing secretary Mike Pfliger said Monday. The injured Sam had been named to ride.

The pinch was eased Monday, Pfliger said, with the arrival of Robert Munoz from Winnipeg. With Munoz, the jockey count is back to 9.

Mike Phillips was due in from Montana. His arrival would enable the track to run the maximum fields at Playfair of 10 horses.

A call this week went out to veteran Russell Kingrey, who had been riding in Billings. Kingrey, however, suffered a broken collarbone while breaking horses and is out of action.

With fairly full fields Saturday and Sunday, Playfair generated a wagering handle of $203,315 from all sources Saturday night.

Sunday night’s handle was $180,799, combining off-track and on-track sources.

Playfair handled $135,668 on-site Saturday and $75,016 Sunday.