Featured race honors memory of Jim
Grundy
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Sunday night’s $7,200 feature is the Jim Grundy
Trot, named for the driver/trainer harness racing fixture in California harness
racing for over 30 years who passed away in 2009 at the age of 74.
Jim Grundy made 2,617 trips to the charmed enclosure
as a driver, with more than $10.3 million in career purses. 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.J im 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.”
Brussel Sprout
heads Jim Grundy Trot
Brussel
Sprout, an overpowering winner of the prep for this race two weeks ago, looms a
solid choice in Sunday evening’s $7,200 Jim Grundy Trot at Cal Expo.
There
will be nine races on Sunday with a first post of 4:55 p.m. The main event is set go as the
sixth contest on the evening with a field of six facing starter Kenny Fowler.
Brussel
Sprout is a 6-year-old son of Glidemaster out of the Prakas mare Elana Hanover
who races for Clint Lugar and Matias Ruiz, is conditioned by Ray Burt and will
have Luke Plano at the controls.
Sent
off the 3-5 favorite in the Jim Grundy Trot prep in his most recent appearance
on February 8, Brussel Sprout did not disappoint his many backers. He was used
early and again at the half, took command for good once straightened for home
and went on to a three and a quarter length decision over the sloppy going.
Taking him on Sunday are Vari Forgetful with Bruce
Clarke; Silverlode, who will have Steve Desomer in the sulky; Hooray Katie with
Steve Wiseman; Timmy T, Steve Farrell Jr; and Lodi Dorian Blues with Pierre
Girard guiding.
A
reminder that there are four wagers offered here each night with a reduced 16%
takeout rate. They are the Jackpot 6 and Hi-5, which are both 10-cent minimum
bets; the 50-cent Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes with a
$25,000-guaranteed pool on Sunday.
********
Next
week will find the trotters and pacers in action on Saturday and Sunday nights,
February 28 and March 1.
