Getting
the lead in easier fashion than his last three outings easily was the key to
Putoneonnetformom winning for the 23rd time in his career.
Winners-Over
trotters, racing for a $6,800 purse, were featured on Friday night (June 8) at
Cal Expo, on which Putoneonnetformom never looked back.
Before
starting from his assigned post in the field of five, driver James Kennedy was
appreciative.
"I
was happy I had the three-hole and thought it would work out great for me
because he had been posted the outside so many times recently," said
Kennedy. "With the three-hole, it gave
me a great chance even with Alpine Hawk (Rich Wojcio) in the race."
Leaving
and getting an easy lead just as the field entered the first-turn, Kennedy was
already grabbing some leather while continuing to be pleased when the field
reached the quarter-pole.
"I
saw the timer come up in :29.2 and I thought that was perfect."
Getting
his own way while being rated in the second-quarter, the eight year-old reached
half-mile juncture, timed in :58.2.
"I
looked over my shoulder a couple of times in the second-quarter because I was
worried Alpine Hawk might be coming, but fortunately for me he wasn't - - so
that allowed me to continue to go nice even fractions. The :29 second-quarter was very reasonable
because it was wind-aided."
Remaining
under a hold while at the same time having a notch let out to the midway point
of the final-turn, Kennedy explains why he asked a little.
"It's
kind of his M.O. in that he doesn't have a big burst home, but he has a good
little over a quarter of a mile grind."
On
top by 2-1/4 lengths while still under a hold at the three-quarter mile
station, timed in 1:27.3, Kennedy kept smiling.
"I
was pretty happy because at that point there was no one near me. Then when I popped the earplugs just past the
three-quarters, he responded well and trotted away very, very nicely."
Leading
by two-lengths at the head of the lane and being urged some, Kennedy urged his
home free charge a little more to the seven-eighths mile pole while now on top
by three-lengths and looking impossible to catch.
"He
was very good and game through the stretch."
Under
a drive through the wire, but in a no-doubter, the gelding won ($7.00) by
two-lengths. Bred & owned by Jeff,
Gerald & Diana Cimini, the Rocky Stidham trained gelding stopped the timer
at 1:57.1, a lifetime best. Dreaming Of
Amy (Luke Plano) was a perfect trip second, and Alpine Hawk, the 3-5 favorite,
finished a non-threatening third, another 2-1/2 lengths farther back.
"He
raced super and this was one of his better miles he raced for me,"
finished Kennedy, who recorded a grand-slam on the program.
Live
racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (June 9) at 6:00 p.m. (PDT). 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. Saturday’s action will include the simulcast
of two North America Cup Pace eliminations from Mohawk Raceway. On Saturday, June 16, Cal Expo will be
simulcasting the entire North America Cup program from Mohawk, highlighted by
the $1.5 million fixture for 3-year-old pacers.
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.
