By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport

SCENE & HEARD: Veteran journalist Bob Mackin showed up for the wiener dog races last weekend bearing a nostalgic gift in the form of a July 15, 2000 racing program from what was then known as ‘Hastings Park Racecourse’.

What practically jumped off Page 3 was a large black & white ad promoting Clocker’s Corner with host and former jockey Tammy Snow.

“Next show: Sunday, July 16 at 8:30 a.m.,” it said.  “Join Tammy for free coffee and muffins and get all the latest news on workouts, race previews and guest interviews.”

Today, 17 years later, the darling of the Hastings jockey colony in the early 1990’s is still riding horses and enjoying life to the fullest as an assistant trainer to husband John and mom of 15-year-old daughter Dakota, a World Cup jazz and lyrical dancer.

“I was born in Victoria and lived on Vancouver Island as a youngster,” Tammy was saying the other day after galloping   – count ‘em – 10 horses that very morning. “I was 19 when I read an ad in the newspaper for someone interested in galloping horses on Mel Snow’s farm in Aldergrove.  I thought that would be pretty neat, getting paid to ride …  so I applied and got the job.”

Mel’s son John was also working on the family farm at the time and it wasn’t long before a Disney-like love story developed between them.

Tammy became a full-fledged jockey at age 23, making quite a name for herself at Hastings, Emerald Downs and Bay Meadows. Her career wins (over just six years) resulted in 265 trips to the winner’s circle, 329 seconds and 352 thirds for career earnings in excess of $2.66 million.

“There were a few injuries along the way but none of a serious nature,” Tammy says. “I seemed to bring home a lot of long shots and for awhile at Bay Meadows they called me ‘The Triacta Facta’. I also have to give a lot credit to Darryl Snow, Mel’s brother and John’s uncle. He was my agent. All of us shared some great times together.”

The last word comes from hubby John, who beams: “We don’t have any big money owners; we’re middle of the road trainers who look forward to developing young horses. More importantly, Tammy and I have never stopped enjoying each other’s company.”