Kennedy loving
position with El Azteca
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
After
being saddled with the demanding No. 10 position in recent weeks, El Azteca
does his work from the 4 slot in Sunday’s featured Stan Bergstein Trot
That
sits just right with his regular chauffeur James Kennedy, who has established
himself as one of the top drivers at Cal Expo and has formed a fine partnership
with this outstanding trotter at this meeting.
Despite
having that 10 post handicap in his last three appearances, James has guided
the Marco Rios colorbearer to two wins and a nose loss, making him look awfully
tough over this weekend’s level playing field.
“Having
the 10 hole is very tough, because you have so much extra ground to cover,”
Kennedy said. “The drivers watch you at the start, and if you leave they try to
torture you, and if you take back they do their best to slow it up.”
James
no doubt realizes this because he has certainly had occasion to be on the other
side of the equation, driving a horse who leaves from the inside with a horse
or even two being assigned far outside draws.
“This
is definitely the best trotter I’ve ever driven and I want to thank Marco for
giving me the chance with him at the start of the meeting,” Kennedy continued.
“He tried to make a couple of breaks earlier on, but he’s been perfect since
and a real pleasure to drive. He’s a Cadillac out there.”
The
bettors are likely to make El Azteca a solid favorite once again in the
Bergstein and his driver shares that confidence. “I wouldn’t trade places with
anybody, even if he we had the 10 post.”
Stan Bergstein
Trot brings out El Azteca
The
$10,000 Stan Bergstein Trot, which will feature the likes of El Azteca, Its Not
Over and A Crown For Lindy, headlines Sunday night’s Watch and Wager LLC
program at Cal Expo.
There
will be 12 races and first post is 4:55 p.m. The Bergstein goes as the fifth
event and there will also be a pair of $10,000 California Sire Stakes that will
be decided as non-betting events prior to the regular card.
El
Azteca is strictly the one to beat in the Bergstein for owner/breeder/trainer
Marco Rios and pilot James Kennedy. He comes into this assignment with $141,000
in his bank account and a 1:54 2/5 mark that was set last season over the
seven-eights Hoosier Park oval.
The
6-year-old son of Panama Hanover won his first four starts this season, with
two of those victories coming from the assigned No. 10 post position, then came
up a nose shy at most recent asking while again doing his work from the
demanding slot.
El
Azteca has proven that he can get the job done up front, from a tracking
position or from the back of the pack and without the handicap of that 10 post
on Sunday, is certainly the one to fear most with Kennedy back in the bike.
Taking
him on are Brussel Sprout from the Ray Burt shedrow; the Luke Plano-trained
Winsom Kelly; Flight Of The Kiwi from the Marc Winacott barn; the Bob
Johnson-conditioned Its Not Over and A Crown For Lindy, who takes his lessons
from Gene Vallandingham.
*******
A
reminder there are four wagers offered each night that come with a reduced 16%
takeout rate. They are the Jackpot 6 and Hi-5, which are 10-cent minimum bets;
the 50-cent Pick 5; and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes with a
$25,000-guaranteed pool.
