By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
After
quite a bit of nibbling, I’m Confident got his picture taken last week for
trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Tyler Smith. He’ll attempt a curtain call in
Saturday’s Cal Expo headliner while facing a slightly tougher group.
The
8-year-old son of The Panderosa comes into the assignment with $272,000 in his
bank account and a 1:53 mark that was established last season at Hoosier Park.
The fact that he gamely re-rallied to get the job done last week will not be
lost on the bettors.
“He
was one of three horses I bought last summer in Indiana from Gilbert Herrera,”
said Johnson, who co-owns the performer with Marty Garey and Hank Wieseneck.
“All three had over $200,000 on their card, but he’s the only one who really
worked out.
“He
has that back class working for him and I was actually shocked he was on the
lead last week and then re-rallied to beat the favorite. As far as Tyler Smith
is concerned, I’ve never seen a driver with so much talent at such an early
age.”
Last
summer at age 20, Smith became the youngest driver in harness racing history to
reach 1,000 victories. He has been dividing his time between Northfield Park in
Ohio and Cal Expo of late, although the
nasty weather back East shut down Northfield earlier this week.
“I
was driving for Bob this summer and he suggested I look into coming to Cal
Expo,” said Smith, who will turn 21 later this month. “After talking with
(General Manager) Chris Schick, I was very excited about the opportunity.”
Smith,
who captured the Hoosier Park driving crown, noted that he actually prefers to
race on a mile track. “On a half-mile track, post position can be a big
handicap and you almost always have to be moving. I like the chance to be
patient and think a little more out there.”
It’s Getting
Hairy gets the marquee treatment
It’s
Getting Hairy, who has been doing all his recent work at the Invitational level
against the likes of Pancetta and One And Only, gets some class relief and
earns the top billing in Saturday’s pacing feature at the Watch and Wager LLC
meet at Cal Expo.
Among
the major rivals in the main event are the hard-knocking Split Ticket, who will
go postward for trainer Lino Pacheco and Chip Lackey; Phantom Dan and recent
victor Giant Sculpture. A 14-race card is on tap with first post set for 5:20
p.m.
A
5-year-old son of Relentless Yankee from the Troublemaker mare Camden Flora,
It’s Getting Hairy is owned by Denise Maier with Tim Maier driving and
training. Last year saw him capturing nine of his 24 appearances, including a
lifetime-best 1:52 3/5 clocking at Running Aces.
The
dark-hued performer was razor sharp earlier in the meeting, including
back-to-back wins at the Open 2 level in November where he used a wicked
stretch kick to prove a punctual favorite on both occasions.
It’s
Getting Hairy has had to settle for minor awards in the interim, however, while
facing some pretty tough customers in Pancetta, One And Only and Stuebuen
Jumpinjack. He figures to be much more at home with this weekend’s rival and
could easily return to his winning ways under these conditions.
Like
It’s Getting Hairy, Phantom Dan was an Open 2 victor earlier in this session
and is a nice fit at this level. James Kennedy drives, trains and co-owns the
son of Little Steven with Jennifer Burns and he was beaten a head last weekend
in a solid effort.
Giant
Sculpture is moving up in class after posting a convincing score from well off
the pace at most recent asking. The 6-year-old Village Jolt gelding goes about
his business for A Piece Of The Action LLC with Gene Vallandingham the
conditioner and Steve Wiseman making a return engagement in the sulky.
