Hi
Ho Silverheels was a brilliant racehorse, earning just shy of $1.2 million with
a 1:49.4 mark, and has also proven to be one of the more influential stallions
in the history of California breeding.
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| HI HO SILVERHEEL'S has sired some of the top stakes performers at Cal Expo over the last several years. |
“He
stamps each and every one of his horses,” Knittel related. “They’re different and you definitely know a
Hi Ho Silverheel’s when you see one. As
far as the ones I’ve raced, I’d have to say Hi Ho Steverino would be my
favorite.”
Hi
Ho Silverheel’s has had progeny earnings of over $7.3 million, with his leading
earners being Maximum Viking at $453,041 and Silver Flash with $424,343 in the
bank. They are also his two swiftest
offspring, with both sporting 1:49 and change career standards.
Hi
Ho Silverheel’s is also the sire of a who’s who of stakes horses here in
California, including the sensational Shamderock with a 1:52 mile on his
resume; the $155,000 earner Castle Oaks with a 1:53 standard; and the venerable
Haggin Oaks, who recently moved into six figure territory and has a 1:53.2
local spin to her credit.
In
his racing days, Hi Ho Silverheel’s was scintillating to watch. Rick Kuebler drove him in all his California
starts and was also at the controls when he competed in the Dan Patch at
Indiana Downs.
“He
was the most gifted equine athlete I ever sat behind,” Kuebler stated. “He had the unique combination of high speed
and the capability to carry it. He
routinely paced miles in 1:51 and change at Los Alamitos and I felt that on a
good day he would break the 1:50 barrier.
“There
was a period in his career where you could have matched him up against the nine
other best horses in the world and he would have been the odds-on
favorite. He was that impressive.”
Albion
Takes On Contentious Saturday Line-Up At Cal Expo
Albion,
who has returned to greet his connections after eight of his 15 appearances on
the year, takes on a strong field that includes the likes of the classy mare
Haggin Oaks and comebackers Cowboy Hanover and Split Ticket in Saturday night’s
(May 5) featured $5,600 Winners-over Pace at Cal Expo.
A
6-year-old son of The Pandersosa, Albion carries the banner of Dan Tullio,
James Mascola and trainer Matias Ruiz, and will once again have the services of
Luke Plano. He went over the $100,000
earnings mark with his most recent decision and sports a 1:51.1 career standard
from last season.
He
comes into this weekend having captured four of his last five starts, with the
only setback coming on April 14 when he made a rare miscue coming into the
stretch. He made amends in his most
recent outing two weeks ago, doing the track-and-attack for Plano and posting a
two-length victory. The 1:52.2 mile saw
him coming a sparkling :26.2 final
quarter.
Cowboy
Hanover is an 8-year-old pacer from the Mark Anderson barn with $185,000 in the
bank and a 1:51.2 mark. The son of
Western Ideal has won 30 of his 145 appearances, including several huge miles
over the Cal Expo layout, and was last seen doing his work at Running Aces in
Minnesota last August. Lemoyne Svendsen
has the assignment.
One
And Only is gunning for some revenge after finishing second as the 3-5 favorite
in that affair. Liberio Pacheco
conditions the son of Bettor’s Delight for Richard Morita and David Yamada, and
Jim Lackey guides. Rounding out the
field are Ivegotwhatuneed, Stanza and Cycle Power.
*********
Beginning
this week, Cal Expo is increasing purses by 25 percent. The increases will remain in effect through
the end of the current meeting in June.
Live
racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (May 4) & Saturday (May 5) 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.
