preventative maintenance. It shouldn’t matter whether your horse is a low-end claimer or a regular on the free—for—all.

Brian’s lowest moments occurred when he was in a prolonged slump of weeks without a victory. Today you are on top of your game but tomorrow you’re not. It was at times like this during a slump that his father would sit him down like he did when Brian was a 15-year-old and give him some sage parental advice. It often worked and would continue to work.

Phil Pinkney from Nova Scotia was an excellent horseman and maybe the per- son that Brian had the most respect for in the game. For example, Phil once asked Brian to fit Rev Your Engine with a set of flat shoes before the Gold Cup and Saucer race. Brian was curious about this request because the track was a little loose and he thought traction might be a problem. Phil explained that his horse was a little bit sore and pointed to a spot on the horse’s hip that Brian didn’t even

Behind the Gate

know existed. Phil pushed that spot lightly and the horse flinched. Brian wondered, "How much time does that man have to spend on a horse to be that specific on his diagnosis of a horse’s problem?" By the way, Phil and Rev Your Engine won that race after a tremendous stretch duel in the mud with Angel ’5 Shadow. Phil was a gentleman on and off the track and Brian asserted, “I have great respect for Phil Pinkney; the same great respect I have for my father.”

It is conceivable that the Charlottetown Driving Park could some day feature something uniquely historic. How about four members of three different genera- tions from the same family competing in an official pari-mutuel race? Brian MacPhee could be racing against his father, Alex, his daughter, Ambyr and his son, Brodie. Imagine the race ending with the grandfather, son, granddaughter and grandson all in a quadruple dead heat for the win!

Be Consistant and Brian MacPhee in CDP Winners‘ Circle,

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Photo: Gail MacDonald