The
two had never met, but the 20 year-old Harry Landy had knowledge of his charge,
and that contributed to Albion pacing to the fastest mile thus far of the year
at Cal Expo.
Winners-Over
pacers, racing for a purse of $4,500 purse, were featured on Saturday night
(February 18), on which Albion got back on the winning track.
Before
starting from his assigned post-five in the field of seven, east-coast invading
driver Harry Landy was already in-the-know in regards to his charge.
"I
knew this horse when he raced out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and knew he
was a little lazy," stated Landy.
"But I also knew that when he turns for home he really kicks in and
I thought I had a real good shot."
Coming
away last, but into a speedy :27.3 opening quarter, Landy wasn't complaining.
"They
were rolling pretty good and for sure it helped me because the faster they go
up front, the likelihood they'll come back to you instead of sprinting for
him. And knowing my horse is pretty
lazy, I knew I had to keep him on the bit as long as possible and get his
confidence - - so I just kept him on the helmet in front of me and just kept
him on the bit."
On
the move first-over to the half-mile pole, timed in :56.2 by the pace-setting
favorite Marlin Hanover (Luke Plano), was Landy look for a draft?
"To
the half, I was definitely looking for cover and was surprised no one pulled
because we were rolling pretty fast. I
just kept a good hold of him and kept his confidence up even though we were
coming first-up and slowly grinding up to the leader."
Slowly
advancing on the final-turn, the strategy for the young New Jersey native had
now changed.
"In
the final-turn I was really wanting to roll up and get close to Marlin Hanover
and battle him out - - so I was not looking for cover at that point."
Now
moving a little quicker to the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:25.2, did
the third-quarter split work in the favor of the six year-old?
"That
:29 quarter brought me in a little closer and helped me."
Getting
half pushed three-wide late in the final turn by the pocket pulling Haggin Oaks
(James Kennedy), was Landy still thinking he had a real good shot?
"I
knew that Haggin Oaks is a pretty good horse and was the horse to beat,
especially from the pocket - - but I hadn't pulled the earplugs or the blinds
down yet and was still pretty confident."
Starting
to drive on his horse with Haggin Oaks now on the move, Landy knew two things.
"When
Haggin Oaks got moving I got a little worried - - but my horse was coming and
he's lazy, so once I gave him some urging I could tell he was going to take
off."
Charging
into the lead with less than 3-16ths of a mile to go, Landy knew his first
west-coast winner's circle picture was soon to be taken.
"He
kicked in real strong and I could just tell that he was starting to really pick
up - - I knew I had it."
Getting
driven in the lane and drawing clear to the wire, Albion won ($11.00) in solid
fashion by three-lengths. Owned by Dan
Tullio & James Mascola in partnership with trainer Matias Ruiz, the gelding
stopped the timer at 1:52.4, a seasonal best and his third victory in his last
four outings. Haggin Oaks was a good
second, and Ivegotwhatuneed (Lemoyne Svendsen) finished 1-3/4 lengths farther
back, in third.
"He
was real strong and real good and going in 1:52.4 was pretty incredible with a
back half in :54.3 - - which was really impressive. It was thrilling to win my first race at Cal
Expo and beat the best horses on the grounds in my fastest win time ever,"
finished Landy, who will be returning to drive next Friday & Saturday.
Live
racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (February 24) & Saturday (February 25)
at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On
every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30
p.m. On Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour
from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4
each, while a Burger
with fries is offered at $5.
Cal
Expo currently offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s
(Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering
Committee). Beginning February 24, all
Late Pick 4’s will now come with an increased $15,000-guaranteed gross
pool. Also starting this upcoming
weekend, the Friday Late Pick 4 will offer a 0% takeout on all winning wagers
made on track or at Twinspires.com, while the Saturday Late Pick 4 will be
broadcast on TVG.
