Behind the Gate

was with Watch Site, owned by his father, in 2:10. Gilles remembered that Watch Sue was picked to win the race by the patrons. He got a good trip and came from off the pace to win. He was very happy to finally get it over with after 15 tries. A great deal of success transpired in the career of Gilles Barrieau since that victory with Watch Sue and he was becoming one of the success stories in the very competitive world of harness racing in this decade.

I asked Gilles who some of his most memorable horses were. Gilles had a problem with this question. I believe he did not want to offend any of the owners or trainers by omission. For almost two decades, he was associated with many of the top stakes colts and fillies and invita- tional horses. For example, Clinton Debriefed, Cbarlottes Best, Blll Meadow Sue, Woodmere Topcat, Cboleies Lighting, Quicle Flow, Firms Phantom, Comedy Hour, Canaco Simon, London Mews N, Island Storm and On Broadway were just some of the horses he had trained and/or driven. When pressed he did state, “On Broadway was my first invitational horse. He was a nice old horse. He was a lame horse that needed a lot of work but he would give you all he had every time he

started. He won a Gold Cup elimination -

and finished third in the Gold Cup. Quick Flow was a three—year-old colt that I had. He was small and mighty and just loved to race. I broke him and got him

to the races and that made me feel good too. Island Storm was a really top—notch two- and three-year—old."

I pressed my luck and asked Gilles to select his favorite horse. He responded, “jeepers creepers, that is a tough one. There is one on the back of my mind and I can’t place him.“ Somehow, this response did not surprise me.

Gilles had over 3,000 wins in his career. I asked him to select his most memorable race. He answered, “The year I won the Gold Cup and Saucer with Canaco Simon. Everything fell into place. I drew outside Artistic, the overwhelming favorite from the William Robinson Stable, who made a break in the first turn. When he was set, I just followed him and we beat him coming down the lane. The owners Norm Dunstan and John Martin and I were ecstatic. I had won the Gold Cup and Saucer three years before in 1997 with David Bishop‘s Comedy Hour but he was a layover and it wasn‘t as much of a thrill. The win with London Mews N of the Equilibrium Stable gave me my third Gold Cup. It was a nice win and would rank a close second to my most memorable race. It was also my fastest win ever."

The biggest change in harness racing that Gilles noticed during his career is that horses go much faster now. He said that the equipment was much better. For

“It was also my fastest win ever. ”

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