Friday
night’s (May 18) $7,200 feature at Cal Expo is the Jim Grundy Memorial Trot, named
for the driver/trainer fixture in California harness racing for over 30 years
who passed away in 2009 at the age of 74.
The
purse includes $400 from Jim’s brother Art and nephew Glenn and another $200
for the winning blanket, and both hope to be in attendance. Set to contest the event are
Putoneonnetformom, Shelby County, Dudis Angel, Broadway Victory, Winsom Kelly,
Twice The Ruckus and Giles L S Hanover.
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| The Late Great Jim Grundy |
Jim
Grundy made 2,617 trips to the charmed enclosure as a driver, with more than
$10.3 million in earnings and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in
2007. Originally a hockey player in his
native Canada, a knee injury forced Jim to hang up his skates and stick in
1958. Going into the family business of
harness racing, he found his second niche in life as a driver/trainer.
Grundy
apprenticed under famed horsemen Eddie Cobb, Clint Hodges and Frank Popfinger
before going out on his own in the early 1960s.
He was the leading driver at Monticello for three straight years
beginning in 1971 before heading west with his wife Deborah, a former
schoolteacher and bookkeeper for the stable.
It
was here that Grundy blossomed into one of the state’s top harness
horsemen. Teaming with owners like Chris
Bardis, Lloyd Arnold and Ron Zumbrun, he won countless stakes races with the
likes of Googie, Hugabear, Steam and Easel.
He was especially noted as an outstanding trainer of young trotters.
Steve
Desomer, Gene Vallandingham and Rick Kuebler competed against Grundy for many
years and have high praise for his skills.
“Jim
was not only our friend, but partners with us on many memorable horses,”
Desomer said. “He was an exceptional
horseman and that resulted in a long and successful career.”
Vallandingham
related, “I knew Jim from the time he came to California. He was a nice guy and a great horseman and I
always enjoyed his company.”
Kuebler
also did battle with Jim on many occasions at Cal Expo, Hollywood Park and Los
Alamitos. “I’d have to say he was the most
accomplished trainer of young trotters we’ve ever had in the state. Even after his retirement, horsemen would
seek him out to get advice in shoeing and balancing a trotter. It was all about his expertise and passion
and he is missed.”
The
Grundy Memorial will find a rematch between Broadway Victory, Putoneonnetformom
and Giles L S Hanover, who were separated by only a neck while finishing in
that order in last week’s top dance for trotting set.
Broadway
Victory recorded the $26 upset that night while finishing on the right end of a
nose photo with the even-money favorite Putoneonnetformom. The 5-year-old daughter of Broadway Hall is
owned, trained and driven by John McKeon Jr. and was recording her first victory
of the season in her eighth appearance as she sat a stalking trip and ignited
late with a :28.2 final quarter to get the job done.
Putoneonnetformom
lost a tough decision after carving out
all the fractions while doing his work from the assigned No. 9 post
position. The 8-year-old son of Trot For
Joy is owned and was bred by Jeff, Gerald and Diana Cimini with Rocky Stidham
the conditioner and James Kennedy once again handling the lines.
*********
For
the second time this month, beginning this week, purses at Cal Expo will be
increased by 25 percent across the board. The increases will remain in effect
through the end of the current meeting on June 16.
“We
are pleased to provide this additional purse increase to the horsemen who have
supported our program,” said Director of Racing David Elliott. “This increase is due to the underpayment
because of increased handle, while Cal Expo has also reached into their own
pocket with an additional $175,000.”
Live
racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (May 18) & Saturday (May 19) 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. Additionally, all Late Pick 4’s now come with
an increased $20,000-guaranteed gross pool.
Also, 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.
