Franks
Best may miss here and there, but it’s never too long before Bob Johnson’s
trotter makes another Cal Expo winner’s circle appearance, and that was the
case in last week’s featured trot with regular pilot Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen.
In
addition to owning and training the 5-year-old son of Amrbro Scribe, Johnson
also bred Franks Best and has been rewarded with countless stakes trophies,
$123,000 in earnings and a 1:57 career standard from last season.
In
last week’s victory at the Winners-over level, the hard-hitting performer
played the role of stalker for a half-mile.
He came out first over for Svendsen at that point, took aim on the
leader once straightened for home and won going away by a length and
three-quarters.
“The track last week was a little strange, and the horses didn’t seem to have the same kick in the stretch,” Mooney pointed out. “Franks Best dug in though, and beat them on the square. He just loves to pass horses in the lane.”
Like
most performers the trotter has his quirks, with Svendsen making adjustments
since joining forces with the Johnson color-bearer as a youngster.
“He
could be kind of funny at 2, then he got better at 3,” his pilot noted. “He’s pretty good now, although every once in
a while he’ll toss in a squirrelly effort.”
According
to Svendsen, what makes Franks Best so tough on a week in and week out basis
are his good manners.
“You
can basically do anything you want with him off the gate and then put him
anywhere you want.”
Give
this guy a decent trip and a target, which was the case last time, and most
likely it’s going to end with pictures being taken. Franks Best will attempt an encore when he
suits up in Friday night’s (March 2) co-featured second race.
