by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — When Cheap Motel begins in the first leg of the C$20,000 HorsePlayer Interactive Series on Friday night (Feb. 3) at Woodbine Racetrack, owner Paul Reid won’t be trackside, but he’ll be tuned in to the proceedings from his home in Deleon Springs, Fla.

Reid, who has conditioned the 6-year-old daughter of Grinfromeartoear on several occasions throughout her career, purchased the 12-time winner from Jeffery Brooks in 2010.

“I trained her down as a yearling and then trained her down again before being sent to Tracy Brainard,” Reid explains. “She had success as a 2- and 3-year-old and I was fortunate enough to purchase her as an older mare.”

When Reid left for Florida to condition 40 horses, of which 37 are 2-year-olds, he decided to leave the bay with longtime friend Ron Parsons.

“Ronnie and I have been friends for years and we were both stabled at Shamrock Training Centre near Cambridge (Ontario), so it was an easy decision for me. I know he does a great job and it’s showed.”

After a dead-heat victory in her most recent outing in an overnight event at Woodbine Racetrack, Cheap Motel will begin from post nine in the third of four divisions for driver Mario Baillargeon.

“It worked out pretty good for us despite the bad post,” Reid said. “With that win, she would have had to move up in class so the timing of this series is perfect. Ron was the one who told me about the series, and it’s great to be a part of.”

While Cheap Motel has contested 81 career races, Reid says her racing days may be limited.

“My fiancée and I are contemplating on breeding her,” he says. “She’s now six and has a great record with a lot of money made, so it seems fitting. She’s also a terrific-sized mare with a big chest and gait. When I return in April, she may be in foal. It’s something we are talking about.”

But first, Cheap Motel will have to contend with her eight rivals on Friday night, on Woodbine’s 13-race program.

“She will be competitive in there,” he said. “She has a lot of class and can certainly go with them. If we make it to the final, it will be three weeks, so hopefully she’s on her game.”

With $255,899 in career earnings, coupled with a 1:52 speed badge, Cheap Motel will look to book her 13th career score on Friday night.

The series is for 4-year-old and older mares that were non-winners of C$50,000 (3-year-olds C$75,000) in 2011.