Rich Strike Vs Hot-Walker

Rich Strike, thoroughbred horse racing, a story with Canadian History. Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track, thoroughbred racing adventure crime novel.

There is nothing like a long shot, a great true story to stir the pot, especially when it is world newsworthy and financially upsetting, but in a good way. 

It was Kentucky Derby day in May, (2022) the richest pot in horse racing, and Rich Strike, a claimed chestnut horse (for $30,000. American less than 7 months before the noted race at Churchill Downs) shocked millions of fans with its spectacular run to win the prestigious 20 horse field. 

 (The Kentucky Derby Race 2022)

He is the son of mare Gold Strike, a Manitoba foaled Canadian thoroughbred champion, and sired by Keen Ice whose Canadian pedigree connection Smart Strike and Awesome Again (both connected to Canadian Champion Northern Dancer).  Rich Strike was 80-1 at racetime. From Rags to Riches for trainer Eric Reed, owner Richard Dawson and Sonny Leon, jockey.

It was true stories like this, along with personal events that prompted my writing the sports crime novel, Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track. A 30 year saga based around hot-walker Frannie Harrison and her view of thoroughbred racing as seen in 1960-70s Canadian racing circuit... and her witness to the violent murder of her American draft dodger finace at Woodbine Racetrack. 

Horse racing has been around for a very long time. In 1665, the world's first race track was established in America, and ever since then, the sport has been growing in popularity. Horse racing in lots of countries, especially Australia, Ireland, the USA, the United Kingdom, France and New Zealand.. Slowly decreasing in Canada as race courses close.

Following the genre of Dick Francis, the king of horse racing novels, its all about the 'behind the scenes' that triggers intrigue and suspense. The background stories are definitely the most interesting. Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track: a story of youth, crime, a sporting life that leads to crime and courtroom drama. The horse... SnoMann; The crime... revenge; The reason... money... The results... murder trial. Romance and Suspense. Life on the Fast Track.

Hot-Walker History... more info on the writing of the novel.

Spotlight on Mallory Wilkins

Author Spotlight

Publisher recognizes Mallory's writing in an Author Spotlight with a current listing of a few of the books available online.

More books by Mallory Neeve Wilkins

Just in time for spring reading ... Take a moment to view a couple of novels and photography books as well as non-fiction on the 'Spotlight' page. Youtube Book Videos display the Book Trailer.

Ancient Secrets for a Healthy Home
(How-to, reference)
Book Trailer

Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track
(crime/romance novel)
Book Trailer  

House of the Caduceus
(novel/mystery)
Book Trailer

The Art of Laundry Hang-ups
(photography, whimsy)
Review

1990 Peterboro Ontario Sketches - Mallory Neeve Wilkins

Peterborough Ontario



Back in the day... as they say, I lived in Peterborough Ontario raising my children with my husband Dan. We enjoyed and loved the olde area and landscape of historic old-town Ontario. During these years, a recession set in and many a day we lingered together sketching the buildings, landscape and scenery while we worked hard designing and building our dream home on Weller Street.
website:  http://www.mallorysdesign.com
youtube 'booktrailers' channel

Feng Shui Amazing Kitchen Island - Mallory Neeve Wilkins

The perfect Kitchen Island

Feng Shui and designing the best kitchen island is done by removing straight lines and adding curves and insets... straight lines cause the path of energy to flow too fast, turning negative.
Feng Shui encourages a meandering path to keep the energy flowing positive without the danger of sharp edges and drastic corners. This youtube video will help visualize the concept.

Winners! #AmazonGiveway for June

Congratulations June amazon giveaway Winners!

During the month of June, three FREE copies of the mystery novel 'House of the Caduceus' were offered on amazon/twitter for lucky entrants, and the winners....

1. Marybeth Messer

2. Alan McAvoy

3. Amy Zukowski

Also....

The winning entry for the sports crime romance novel 'Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track was...

Kelly McMullen 

e-library (Google Books)

FREE COPY #AmazonGiveway Hot-Walker

Enter for a chance to win free copy of exciting new novel!

There are 3 chances to win, so enter as many times as you want... and thank you for sharing with all your friends who enjoy sports/crime/romance novels.

Free copy - enter #AmazonGiveway
Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

Amazon Giveaway Entry for your chance to win NOW.
https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/594a2969a0a52391#ln-ln

Paperback - ebook Summer Reads

Summer Reads:
'Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track' Paperback - ebook
'House of the Caduceus' Paperback - ebook

Enjoy summer reads - find that cozy spot to relax by the water, under a tree or your favourite chair and put your legs up, grab a cool refreshing drink and drift into the pages of a mystery book or sports crime novel and escape into the world of another time, place or adventure.
Paperback and ebook novels are easily accessed online for your convenience and delivered right to your door.

Mystery Novel
High in the mountains near Zeballos, Vancouver Island where
one of Canada's most dangerous construction feats begins, there
is a dynamic meeting of Eastern & Native cultures. When conflict
and upset result in death, mishaps and negative energy, there develops
a mystical flow of kundalini that impacts the moods and health of
everyone working on the retreat house.

Hot-Walker Life on the Fast Track
Murder trial shocks Toronto community.
1960s Canadian horse racing sports crime romance novel.

Hot-Walker Frannie Harrison
is witness to the violent murder of her fiance
an American draft dodger at Woodbine racetrack.

Writing my Fiction, Non Fiction & Photography Books

Writers Write about Writing and other things....

I am addicted, or should I say passionate, about my work, design; my writing and my photography hobbies.

A Selection of Books - Mallory

No different than anyone else who enjoys their work, I like to talk about it, but if no one is there to listen, then I write about it. Working in the design/build industry for many years has prompted a few books to help others in their quest to create healthy environments. When I present at seminars, I hand out copies of my books to those who are anxious to learn and want to save on costly mistakes. I enjoy writing non fiction. Fun Schway, the North American way and Ancient Secrets for a Healthy Home turned into excellent reference books.

But... on the other side of the coin, is creativity. Fiction. When several of my clients requested information about building their home from scratch, they asked for a detailed description on how they could incorporate the ancient studies that I practiced into their plans. So, I thought, how better way than to write about 'building a home' in a mystery novel. The book was enjoyed by many as I plotted out the adventure from an empty lot, to selecting an architect/designer to the construction... with all its trials and tribulations in House of the Caduceus.

Photography complements design, especially around an explanation of  'how-to'. Whether it is the exterior, interior or individual products, a visual helps clear up the mystery. Today, writers are fortunate to have several social media options, like Instagram and Google+ to display their works with their displays of art, information and news for all to learn, enjoy and respond to. And, writing is never seasonal.

Condo LivingRoom Update

Kitchen Design - Timberframe Home

  

 

French Design Ensuite - Reno

 

Classic Bedroom Design for Grannie

    

BOOK WRITERS need to CREATESPACE

Good Feng Shui says Book Writers need to 'createspace'  that is inspiring, an area that nurtures the soul and encourages you to finish your 'work in progress.'

Creative Workspace

Are you a writer, author, journalist or blogger? Do you write stories for children or report the facts for a how-to book? Are you creating drama in sci-fi or a crime novel? No matter what your genre, you must create a special area that is calling you to write/work. Every time you enter the space, walk by or take a quick peak... it should draw you in, be free of  'stuff'' and make you feel good, so that your inspiration blossoms and grows. 
A known fact is that you are a product of your environment, so take a good look around and see if your current writing space is busy, cluttered or unappealing. If this is the case, then your mind is most likely overactive, full of useless chatter and giving you excuses 'not to write.' 

Author - Mallory

1. Post an inspiring name for your work-in-progress project directly in front of you. (The name will change as you progress and should eventually match the content and the cover when your project is completed.)
2. Keep an attractive journal nearby for ideas, notes, inspiration. Make notes in point-form only. Be organized and create a list for each week and follow or update it daily. Check off your accomplishments and write for success and financial gain.

3. Have 'nothing' around your creative space so all positive energy comes to you and not your 'stuff.'
4. Be situated near light (window, lamp, etc) for 'fire' energy. Have a healthy plant in SE corner to increase wealth.
5. Put away all papers, pens, staplers, books, mail, and absolutely all things that could cause distraction and negative energy. Clear the air, and clear the space!

Note: An empty room has 100% positive energy, unless damaged. Add a desk, chair, rug, lamp and this energy drops to 80%... add a laptop, printer, couch, artwork, files and books, it drops to 40%... add tables, papers, bills (negative energy) etc and it drops again to less than 25%. The less you have around you, the more positive energy surrounds you whether creating on the comfort of your couch, on the dining room table or in a special cozy corner.

Keep positive, be creative and Write!

Thank you for sharing, it is much appreciated ~ Mallory 

My Website.

A Fun Gift for Spring, Easter, Mothers Day..

Have some fun and enjoy viewing one's delicates from around the world...
The Art of Laundry Hang-Ups - in Hardcover.

GVP Library Hosts Yearly Author Event

---

Emerging Local Authors Collection

GVPL celebrates local authors! The library has established the Emerging Local Authors Collection to highlight self-published, independent, or small press print works (fiction, poetry, non-fiction) by local authors, for readers of all ages. Mallory Wilkins has 2 books selected for this years viewing.

Each year, April to March, GVPL will showcase books by emerging local authors at the Central Branch. Information about the authors and their books will be featured on this page. The books will also be available to browse and borrow from our online catalogue.

Starting October 1, 2015, we will be accepting applications for the 2016-17 Collection.

Questions? Contact the Emerging Local Authors Collection Office at emerging@gvpl.ca.

Available in print Online

Two Books being Showcased from April, 2015 at the Greater Victoria Public Library

1. Mystery Novel: House of the Caduceus (fiction)

2. Reference: Ancient Secrets for a Healthy Home (non fiction)

ALSO:  Available in Ebook Online

Mallory Neeve Wilkins Books, ebooks, calendars are found at:

1. BARNES & NOBLE sell Mallory's Books.

2. Chapters/Indigo carries Mallory's Book

3. SCRIBD carries Mallory's books.

4. AMAZON sells some of Mallory's Books

5. PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS by Mallory online.

also.... KOBO, iTunes/apple and many more...

 

Barnes & Noble sell Mallory Neeve Wilkins Books online.

Mallory's books at Barnes & Noble
Following 30 years of writing articles and seminar tutorials incorporating the wisdom of sacred studies and a rising interest in environmental issues, Mallory Neeve Wilkins offers several books on the subject of design, Feng Shui & Vaastu Shastra for your enjoyment ... from Barnes & Noble online.
Save $$$ by downloading discount coupons & promo codes for the purchase of these books.

Vintage Cars photobook "GRAVEYARD AUTOS'

Graveyard Autos by Mallory Neeve Wilkins | 

During my years designing the interior of an unique beach house on the sunshine coast in British Columbia, I was taken on a hike deep into the big fir forests of the area.  After some time had passed, the sun caught the glimmer of a chrome bumper that flashed across the towering trees as if an unknown spirit was trying to reach out to get our attention. Climbing over stumps of historic logs that had a 5 - 7 foot radius, we stumbled upon several dozen classic car relics that had been (somehow) thrown into the depths of the forest, stacked several cars high. It was a sight and a find that overwhelmed us. Classic cars from the 1930s-1950s fell upon our view as if struggling to peer through the fallen timbers, overgrown moss and debris. I felt the area should be designated as a heritage park for all to see. It was a virgin sight as Mother Nature was burying these gems one by one as they slept in pain, drifting off into oblivion. The more we walked and traveled through the forest, we located more. No one knows how they got there, or when or why. 

Were they stolen vehicles and used for parts, like a private wrecking yard... or were they the remnants of a prosperous logging era in the 1960s that replaced the golden classics.

It is the mystery of Graveyard Autos.

Remember, whenever ordering books, download coupons for your personal discounts ...  

http://www.goodsearch.com/blurb/coupons?open=2982241
Purchase:   http://www.blurb.ca/b/5494691-graveyard-autos
Thank you for sharing this blog with your friends.... Mallory

Mallory Neeve Wilkins 'The Laundry Art Book'

Collectors 'Laundry Art' Photography story book... Some humour, I thought, fun to see 'laundry' just hanging out. The Art of Laundry Hang-Ups has been created from many of my travels around the world where I found delicate pieces of clothing. These items identify a persons psyche, an indication of ones search to cleanse their day, their personals, in hope of removing the negative energy from their life in search of a fresh new start. Clothes indicate a lifestyle, work, pleasure and status. Who are these people?

REMEMBER... BOOK coupons and discounts available online for this book.
Discount coupons for online books.

Book Available: 
1.  Laundry Hang-ups Hardcover book
2. Publisher hardcover mini coffee table book
3. 2015 Laundry Art Calendar

The outdoor breeze, the wind, the rain all cleanse the air and our laundry, which hold our days energy, whether it was a good day or a sad negative day. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; colour, style, fabric all carry energy.  So let the outdoors unclutter your life.

ebook: The Laundry Art Book - Blurb publishing

Thank you for sharing this with your friends....

READ NOW... sneak peek into Hot-Walker, Life on the Fast Track (Chapter 1)

Read Chapter 1

Preview Chapter: Hot-Walker

Vies the BOOK TRAILER:

Book TRAILER: the story of Hot Walker

ISBN:  9781770843493
                 
Thank you for sharing with your friends ....

GIFT IDEAS.... for avid readers!

Purchase an ebook from:            
https://my.bookbaby.com/book/house-of-the-caduceus

 BOOK TRAILER:  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDJo_aCCsU

                                             

REFERENCE BOOK:   A remarkable how-to book for everyone, keeping your home protected from negative energy and filled with positive ch'i.

Purchase Paperback or ebook:

 http://www.amazon.ca/Fun-Schway-North-American-wayebook/dp/B007JT6IZ6

Thank you for sharing my blog with your friends,

Mallory

MURDER TRIAL, Toronto 1977 ... from the novel Hot-Walker

Toronto Court House

The saga of Hot-Walker; following the life of Francine Harrison during her years of racing thoroughbreds, living in Yorkville, Montreal, London, and then returning to Toronto where the murder trial of her fiance, an American draft dodger brutally killed at Woodbine racetrack, 1969, is being held. As the only witness to the horrific incident, Francine struggles with relationships during the years awaiting trial, hopelessly making an effort to move on with her life, until the mystery unwinds in 1977 at the Court House...

During the years when Francine and her friends lived in Yorkville Village, the first phase of the complex, Toronto Courthouse, (Completed by Toronto firm of Marani, Rounthwaite and Dick Architects) was opened (1966) at 361 University Avenue and the corner of Armoury Street. It was originally known as Metropolitan Toronto Courthouse. Additions to the structure were completed with the South Wing (1985) and a two storey addition to the courthouse (1987).

The project architect, Ronald A. Dick noted it as an important example of late 20th century Modern design, the largest of its type built in Ontario ... featuring an eight-storey complex for courtrooms and offices connected to the three-storey South Wing. This features a 12-sided plan with an open passageway in the lower level. Covered by a copper-clad roof, the structure is faced with limestone.

The north and south elevations feature fin walls that organize the horizontal grid of metal-framed window openings and limestone spandrels with beveled edges. The courthouse structure was among the last complexes in the province clad with local limestone. Amongst the landscaping, planter boxes, flagpoles and shallow pools with fountains, you would find limestone benches.

 But ... there is a hidden ancient mystery held in the construction of such 'temples' as those within secret societies were aware of, which is limestone is calcite that is formed by rainwater filtered through sand; a sedimentary stone and holds basic properties essential to life, namely the attribute of attracting atmospheric water vapour, condensing it into water, and then letting it pass out into streams and springs. 

Limestone works like a crystal; it is in constant motion emitting a vibrational frequency that amplifies the energy of the surrounding area and matches the electromagnetic field of the Earth and its human occupants. It also has the crystalline property to absorb, store, and transfer life-force energy. Limestone was used for construction because of these crystalline properties ... which are those of resonance, rhythm and vibration ... it is alive, holding the memory of information and like crystals, healing vibrations.

Hot-Walker, Life on the Fast Track  Book Trailer for your viewing.

LONDON, 1970s .. Hot-Walker novel has international intrigue!

Escape to London, 1974-75

 Following the path of Hot-Walker ... a close group of high school friends from the mid 1960s go their separate way following the murder of Francine Harrison's American fiance, John Mencini, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Horse racing and their years together become a distant but haunting memory as she recovers, grieving and waiting for answers to the horrific killing she witnessed. Feeling it is time to move on as the years pass by, Francine leaves her friends in Toronto, escaping to Europe in 1972, whereby new relationships unfold. She eventually moves to London .... always waiting for notification of trial requesting her return to Toronto.

Francine's years  in London during the mid 1970s were emotional and unsettling, full of change as history was being made throughout the country as well as in the rest of the world. It was a time of many Pub bombings, which happened everywhere from local neighborhood haunts to the busiest Tube stations along rush hour routes. There was a Fuel crisis and the government issued new speed limits to save gas at a time of Arab fuel embargoes. Inflation soared to 17.2%, an unbelievable increase.

The Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher defeated Edward Heath in the Conservative party leadership election at age 49 and parliament was under new unfamiliar leadership, for many politicians. The country was devastated with terrorism, train crashes, and protests that made headlines around the world, weekly. The airports were guarded, locations closed and yet the workers scrambled daily to work as London held its own. The number of jobless reached 1.25 million.

In the entertainment field, Led Zeppelin played at Earls Court with 5 sold-out concerts, and the first public performance by punk rock band Sex Pistols performed publicly. Fashion, music, sports never paused a beat as the rest of the country tried to keep up with the changes of its own growing pains.

                 

Women were recognized publicly, even in the field of education as five all male colleges accepted women undergraduates. In fact, the first female rabbi in Britain – Jackie Tabick was announced. These shocking changes took many Brits by surprise as England was altering its ways. The country became part of the European Space Agency and in transportation, Britain’s first production small hatchback was launched by Vauxhall Chevette.  On television the first episode of the series Fawlty Towers televised and immediately became a big hit across the land. 

    

Car racing was a popular sport in England even before Sterling Moss drove, but for fans all over the world, when race car driver Graham Hill died in an air crash at the age of 46, it was a shock that upset the whole racing community.

On a lighter note, the new Covent Garden Market, which was the largest wholesale fruit and vegetable and flower market in UK (SW London) covering 57 acres in Nine Elms, opened for business and was a huge success.

The 1975 record rainfall at 169 mm fell in the prestigious area Hampstead Heath in 155 minutes leaving the residents in a state of panic and discord which took months to clear and repair damages.

London, 1974-75

HOT-WALKER TRAILER:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izWWQh8Odqk
for your viewing

HEROs ... Canadian Women Jockeys... from Hot-Walker Novel.

Women Jockeys in Canadian Racing

Hot-Walker, the sports-crime novel, explores the ins-and-outs of thoroughbred racing, including the introduction of Karen Sharp, woman jockey. A novel about life on the fast track during the 1960s, and the relationships of  those living in Yorkville and working on the racetrack.

Looking back over the years when racing experienced a time of introspection and growth, Jockeys' rooms at virtually every racetrack were described as dark, dingy, overcrowded, lacking in recreational areas, without proper reducing facilities, no eating and resting spaces, and very little room to move about and work. The jockeys' rooms were not a priority to management but the Jockeys' Guild and its representatives set about a campaign to improve conditions both on and off the track. Jockeys still had very few rights when dealing with stewards. If a steward did not like a rider's looks, they could, and often did, tell that rider to go somewhere else to ride. There was still widespread abuse of a jockey's rights to work his trade.

The popular ‘big names’ and leading riders of the 1940s were Adams, Arcaro, Atkinson, Meade and Longden, who continued to dominate in the early 1950s but were joined by a new name; Shoemaker. After completing his sophomore year of racing with 388 victories, good for a tie in the leading rider standings, Shoe­maker topped all riders in earnings in 1950 with over $ I-million.

Another fact to be reckoned with for jockeys was women entering their ranks. Although women jockeys were barred from riding at registered race meetings, in the mid-1900s, Wilhemena Smith rode as Bill Smith at north Queensland racecourses. She was nicknamed Bill Girlie Smith because she arrived on course with her riding gear on under her clothes and did not shower on course. It was only at the time of her death in 1975 that the racing world was officially told that Bill was really Wilhemena. Subsequent inquiries revealed that William Smith was actually a woman who had been born Wilhemena Smith in a Sydney hospital in 1886. In an era when women were clearly denied equality, she had become known as a successful jockey in Queensland country districts as 'Bill Smith'.

The modern era of female jockeys began as Kathy Kusner successfully sued the Maryland Racing Commission for a jockey's license in 1968 under the Civil Rights Act.  In late 1968, Penny Ann Early became the first licensed female thoroughbred jockey in the US, and entered three races at Churchill Downs  in November, but the male jockeys announced that they would boycott those races. On February 7, 1969, Diane Crump was the first female rider to ride in a Thoroughbred race in the United States at the Hialeah Park Race Track in Florida. She made history again, the next year, when she became the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 15th aboard Fathom. Even though the male jockeys fought the presence of females in the irons, the barrier had been broken. Two weeks later on February 22 at Charles Town in West Virginia, Barbara Jo Rubin became the first woman to win a race and went on to win 11 of her first 22. Others soon followed suit and over the years American women jockeys have proven their ability. Julie Krone has the most winning races by an American woman. 

Jockeys must be light to ride at the weights which are assigned to their mounts. There are horse carrying weight limits, that are set by racing authorities. The Kentucky Derby, for example, has a weight limit of 126 lb (57 kg) including the jockey's equipment. The weight of a jockey usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg). Despite their light weight, they must be able to control a horse that is moving at 40 mph (64 km/h) or more, and weighs 1,200 lbs (540 kg). Though there is no height restrictions for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. Jockeys typically stand around 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) to 5 ft 6 in (1.6m).

For the most part Canada has generally followed the U.S.'s lead in the area of opportunities for female riders. Canada has far fewer tracks than the U.S. and has only two female jockeys with 1,000 wins. However, in both actual and relative numbers as well as overall success rate, Canada has far surpassed its southern neighbour in opportunities for women at the highest level; namely their respective Triple Crown series.

Starting with Joan Phipps in the Canadian 1973 Breeders' Stakes, 9 different women have competed in 27 Canadian Triple Crown races, 34 times with a combined 2 wins, 3 places, 3 shows. By comparison, since Diane Crump rode in the 1970 Kentucky Derby, only 6 different women have competed in 18 total U.S. Triple Crown events with a combined record of 1 win, 1 place, 1 shows. Moreover, while no US Triple Crown race has ever featured more than one female rider, that feat has occurred on 7 occasions in Canada. Most impressively, 3 different women - Francine Villeneuve, Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson (twice over) - have each raced in all three of the Canadian Triple Crown races. Women Jockeys in Canada are supreme riders!

Hot-Walker, Life on the Fast Track (youtube) Book Trailer ... ebook coming soon .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izWWQh8Odqk

www.mallorysdesign.com