LLOYD ARNOLD
PACE HEADS THE MARQUEE
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
The $10,000 Lloyd Arnold Pace is the main event Saturday night at
Cal Expo, with the long-fused Cycle Power and the hard-hitting mare Haggin Oaks
among the leading lights.
Cycle Power took advantage of some spirited fractions in last
week’s Open Pace and flew home for Scott Cisco to win going away in a 1:53 3/5
performance. The 7-year-old son of Cambest is owned and trained by Nathalie
Tremblay and went over the $90,000 earnings mark with that score while sporting
a 1:52 3/5 standard.
Haggin Oaks is a gutsy daughter of Hi Ho Silverheel’s and the
Incredible Finale mare Ladyladybemybaby who carries the banner of Shari Burns,
Ferris Funk and Gerald Cimini with James Kennedy doing the driving and
training. She is looking to add to a $123,000 bankroll and has a 1:53 2/5 mark
that was established here two years ago.
Haggin Oaks was hard used early on a hot pace in last week’s clash
at the head of the class, yielded to the pocket by the half, dug in for the
stretch but could not match Cycle Power when that one came calling. The mare
registered her most recent victory in a conditioned affair on February 1 and
will be dangerous no matter how things shake out early.
One And Only had to settle for fourth as the even-money choice at
most recent asking, but was a very sharp first-over victor at 22-1 in his
previous try. The 5-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight races for Richard Morita
and David Yamada, takes his lessons from Lino Pacheco and will have Luke Plano
guiding from the cozy rail slot.
Rounding out the cast for the Lloyd Arnold are Doc’s Zippy, to be
handled by Gene Vallandingham; Gold Deuce and Amigo De Garcia from the Steve
Wiseman barn; Terror Time, Tim Maier; and Phantom Dan, Rich Wojcio.
CAL EXPO REMEMBERS LLOYD ARNOLD
Saturday
night’s feature race at Cal Expo is named in honor of Lloyd Arnold, who passed
away in January of last year at the age of 83.
In addition to being a prominent Standardbred owner, Lloyd Arnold operated the former Golden Bear Raceway here and also bought Los Alamitos in the late 1980s, eventually selling the track to his partner Edward Allred.
Mr. Arnold
was inducted into the California Harness Hall of Fame in April 2008.He also
enjoyed personal honors in 2001 when he was feted by the Delaware Sportswriters
and Broadcasters at their annual awards dinner and received the Owner of the
Year Award from the U.S. Harness Writers' Association.
In 1977 at
Golden Bear, Mr. Arnold's pacer Warm Breeze shattered the all-age world record
by one second, winning in 1:53 1/5 by 18 lengths. Known as an outstanding
promoter, Mr. Arnold drew thousands of fans to Cal Expo harness races with free
drawings for gold Cadillacs, Chevrolet trucks and a year's supply of groceries.
Chris Bardis
said, “Harness racing was one of Lloyd's great passions. He accomplished so
much for the sport not only in California, but nationwide. He was ‘Mr. Harness
Racing.’ He conducted race meetings at Cal Expo, Bay Meadows, Golden Gate
Fields, Del Mar, Pomona, Hollywood Park and Los Alamitos. I know of no one else
who has had a greater impact on the harness world.”
"He
was always trying to do good for the game in California, trying to keep it
going," said trainer Bob Johnson, who knew Mr. Arnold for decades. "He was great
for racing, got new people involved, had lots of innovative ideas."
Added retired driver Rick Kuebler, "Lloyd blurred the line between horsemen and management, having worn both hats with unequaled success. His passion for harness racing never broke stride. He trotted the whole mile."
