It’s no secret that the Matt and John Bax Stable has been experiencing an extraordinary season. A very fine point was put on that early this week when the draw came out for Saturday evening’s card of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The Campbellville, Ontario operation has no less than five two-year-old colt starters in the eliminations for the William Wellwood. If that was not enough, the team has two fillies challenging in the accompanying elims for the Peaceful Way.
That abundance of talent is a reflection of an unbelievable statistic few are aware of. The father/son act went into the winter with 21 yearlings, six with John at Palema Trotting in Florida while Matt care for 18 back on the farm.
Ever since one showed up in qualifiers although one broke stride and was turned out. The rest made it through. Now how many times has anyone produced a similar result?
This also marks the coming out party for 32-year-old Matt. He ran the whole show at the farm with John never coming north until April. He had to keep things at the farm ticking over and all the while developing the youngsters he had taken on. He lives in the shadow of his father no more.
The Bax name has been a fixture for over 30 years in Ontario but this season it has hit a new level. Heading into the weekend the barn had earned $729,000 in purses. It has not been perfect. There have been a few speed bumps but overall there can be no complaints.
Righteous Resolve is arguably the big gun in the barn. The full sister to Duly Resolved has won $135,000 with three wins in four starts. John says the only thing wrong with her is that the stable does not own her. She is one of the few they do not which in itself is remarkable.
Sound Advice is a ways behind but she may be finding her sea legs and will be trying hard to make the rich final.
Lowry, a Father Patrick colt is going faster every start. He raced two starts in Lexington and did not disgrace himself. He looks quite at home in this Wellwood field.
Deadline Hall earned himself a tick to the second elimination after a strong runner-up showing in the last Ontario Sires Stake. A bit of a surprise to everyone but maybe he is just getting the hang of it.
Stablemate Oh Look Magic is built like a tank and can rattle but also has shown he can be anxious behind the gate. Matt is driving here and hoping to be a calming influence. This is a tough division but the race has to be run.
Snowpiercer has been the stable star among the colts but was disappointing with a third place finish his last start. However, some minor health issues are being worked on and we should look for a bounce back effort.
Right beside him on the starting gate is stablemate Southwind Coors. This is an interesting horse that is showing improvement every start. He’s been raced under wraps as part of his educational program but this could be his coming out party. Word is he can follow like a CRA investigator.
They all have to go out and walk the walk but the seven of them have been most encouraging to this point. There is a lot of money on the table in the coming weeks and one has to think some of it is going to be staying in Campbellville.
At age 67, John is seeing the road ahead is shorter than the one behind. But it seems to be all coming together for the operation. Quality horses, great contributing partner in his son and a core of owners that have to be happy with their lot in life. One cannot ask for much more than that.