After starting off last month at Cal Expo with a pair of costly miscues, Aston Boko closed out 2011 with a mistake-free mile for owner/trainer Marco Rios and regular pilot Rich Wojcio while proving a punctual favorite.
The newly-turned 5-year-old trotter, who has often done his best work from off the pace, took matters into his own hands last weekend and took his rivals coast-to-coast, holding a three and a half-length advantage when they hit the finish line.
“Aston Boko is a very talented trotter,” Wojcio related after the victory. “But like many horses, he has to overcome conformation issues, which in turn creates lameness issues. He gives 1000 percent every week and if he was built a little differently, we probably never would have seen him here.”
Rich points out that Rios has done a great job with the son of Windsong’s Legacy.
“And don’t forget what he’s done with El Azteca,” he added. The latter made a clean sweep of the California Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old trotting colts this fall with Rios not only owning and training, but also doing the driving.
One of the most difficult tasks a driver can be handed is getting a troubled trotter around the track without breaking, and Wojcio was asked about his process.
“Driving tricky trotters is about having a lot more patience and some luck. Sometimes you have to concede some ground during a race or give up a position until your trotter finds a gait or comfort zone.
“That can be difficult because there are times this can cost you a win, but on the other hand it may help the horse gain confidence for future weeks.”
