As the clock approaches 11 p.m., it’s safe to say most senior citizens are in bed with a warm class of milk, if not already asleep.
As that hour approached last Saturday night (March 17) at Cal Expo, with the rain falling and the track a sea of slop, 71 years young Gene Vallandingham was out doing what he loves driving his mare Amazon Dot.
While they were narrowly denied the victory by favored Beach Beach Beach, it was a noble effort by both man and mare over the off going after carving out all the fractions and putting away a strong challenge turning for home.
Of course, it would have been sweeter to end up in the winner’s circle for the 2,925th time in his career instead of completing the exacta, but Vallandingham isn’t complaining. By the way, those trips to the post have yielded more than $13 million in earnings.
“I guess I’m one of the last old timers left in California,” Gene noted. “I can tell you that I still feel the same way I did when I started driving in 1965. I have been very lucky and I look forward to driving each and every night we’re racing.”
And what about when Mother Nature is less than sympathetic?
“I don’t mind driving in the rain, as long as we can see. If there’s mud, it can make things difficult when it gets all over your face. It really does make you appreciate a warm night.”
