Being the oldest horse by four years and the only one not to race last week didn't stop Alpine Hawk from winning for the 45th time in his career.
Five trotters, four in on a condition, one to be claimed, were featured at Cal Expo on Friday night (March 2) for a purse of $3,800, on which the 11 year-old claimer, Alpine Hawk, recorded the hat-trick.
Prior to starting from post-position four in the field of five, driver Rich Wojcio knew it wouldn't be that easy.
"He was stepping up and I thought it was a tougher group than he had been racing because the other four horses were all dropping down," stated Wojcio. "But I still thought he had a chance because he always tries hard."
Coming away fourth into a comfortable first-quarter pace, Wojcio's hand was forced at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :30.1.
"I didn't want to be on the front, but they weren't going much, plus since he was pretty aggressive at the quarter, I moved him to the lead at that point."
With Wojcio not in a hurry to make the point while Franks Best (Lemoyne Svendsen) was a little stubborn and pushy, Alpine Hawk didn't clear a gradual lead until the field approached the half-mile juncture. Did Wojcio use his trotter into a 1:00 first-half?
"He went :28.4 in the second-quarter and yes, I did use him. Obviously I would have liked to have used him less, but I really didn't have much control of that. I, however, still thought his chances were as good as anyone, but anyone of them could win."
With the field headed to the 9-16ths mile marker, Wojcio popped the earplugs and had good reason.
"I just wanted to have him ready."
Rating his charge nicely in a :30.3 third-quarter, Wojcio knew this was a positive.
"The third-quarter breather definitely improved my chances, but I did feel Franks Best right on my shoulder, and we all know he's a solid horse with very quick speed."
Leading the field into the stretch and under urging with a little more than an eighth of a mile to go when Franks Best was out for the drive, Wojcio got the response he wanted.
"When I asked him he sprinted with Franks Best. Then real late I felt he was definitely going to hang on and he did."
Never letting Franks Best get too close, Alpine Hawk held firm to win ($8.60) by three-quarters of one-length. Owned by Jim Winske and trained by Gordie Graham, Alpine Hawk stopped the timer at 1:59.2. Franks Best had to settle for second, and Shelby County (Rocky Stidham) finished another three-parts of one-length farther back, in third.
"He put in a strong effort and I'm very grateful to the track crew as the track surface was absolutely excellent and that's good for him and all the horses. As always, my thanks to the caretaker of this horse, Meredith. This was extra nice for her because her birthday is Saturday," finished Wojcio, who had a driving triple on the card.
Live racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (March 3) at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On Saturday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4 each, while Hotdogs, Fries & Sodas are offered at $2 apiece.
For the second week in a row, the guarantee on the Friday and Saturday night Late Pick 4’s has been increased, as they will now feature $20,000 guaranteed gross pools.
All Pick 4’s here at Cal Expo come with a reduced 15 percent takeout rate. On Friday nights, there is a 0% percent takeout on winning wagers made on track or at Twinspires.com., while the Saturday Late Pick 4 will be broadcast on TVG.
