Franky Provolone returns after some
scary moments
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo
Harness
Following
an eventful summer in Minnesota that had owner Robin Clements on needles and
pins, Franky Provolone is back in action this weekend.
The
popular performer will return to the wars in Sunday evening’s Open I Handicap
Trot, where he will face some tough customers that include El Azteca while
doing his work from the No. 2 post with Tony Succarotte at the controls.
Everything
was going swimmingly for Franky Provolone at Running Aces this summer, as he
was competing in the Open Trot at that oval and sported four wins and three
seconds while facing some solid competition.
Owner
Clements picks up the story. “On August 9th, during a
race, Franky's heart went into an Atrilia fibrillation, or in layman's terms
his heart went into an erratic heartbeat.
“ While under the care of Steve
and Kathie Wiseman, Dr. Audrey Clifton was called right away after his race and
he was treated with a fluid program and later sent to Stillwater Vet clinic in
Minnesota for a ECG and ultrasound of his heart. By the time Steve and
Kathie got Franky to the Stillwater clinic his heart had reverted back to an
almost normal beat.”
It
was decided by all involved at that point to quit with the trotter and give him
time off to recuperate while in Minnesota. He was then shipped back to
California in September, where he was then taken to Loomis Basin Equine
hospital where another ECG and ultra sound were performed by Dr. Langdon
Fielding.
“On
his advice, Franky was turned out to pasture for the rest of the month,”
Robin continued. “It was still uncertain what his future would be and whether
he would be able to race again or be retired.”
Under
the supervision of Dr Fielding, Franky Provolone started back jogging for a
couple of weeks and a heart exercise monitor was attached to him during a
workout mile to evaluate his heart under a strenuous workout. After consulting
with an equine heart specialist and Dr. Fielding, he was given the ok to resume
his racing career.
Showing
no ill effects, Franky Provolone went out and romped home in his qualifier last
Saturday with Mooney Svendsen in the sulky.
“It was a pretty stressful time
while Franky was off, not knowing whether he would race again or not,” Clements
noted. “ I have to give a lot of credit to the Wiseman's and Jimmy
Covemaker, Franky's caretaker, for taking great care of him.
“Also to Dr. Clifton, who
treated him right after the incident and who still checks on him periodically,
and especially to Dr. Langdon Fielding and his team from Loomis Basin Vet
Clinic. Franky had a great team of people in his corner, which I believe is how
he can now resume his career.”
BB ‘s Harley
eyes another snapshot in headliner
BB’s
Harley, a winner of two of his last three appearances here, including a
decisive victory at this level last week, has the top billing in Saturday
night’s Open II Pace at Cal Expo.
The
feature will go as the ninth on a 12-race program that is set to get underway
at 6:10 p.m. The trotters and pacers will also be in action on Sunday with a
10-race card and a first post of 5:10 p.m.
BB’s
Harley is a 3-year-old son of Harley D Hanover who races for A Piece Of The
Action LLC, takes his lessons from Gene Vallandingham and will once again be
guided by Williams Hernandez while doing his work from the assigned outside
slot in a field of six.
After
missing by a nose to stablemate Endeavors King is his first start at the meet,
BB”s harley scored a 7-1 upset in a conditioned affair before losing by a neck
to Quality Sport at next asking while leaving from the demanding No. 10 post
position.
He
had the outside post once again in last week’s Open II clash, but it was only a
five-horse line-up and Hernandez was able to make every pole a winner that
evening. He was three lengths clear at the wire while taking a 1:53 4/5 tour of
the oval.
Endeavors
King, another A Piece Of The Action colorbearer from the Vallandingham barn,
completed the exacta last week and will be seeking the barn bragging rights
with Chip Lackey in the sulky. He scored back-to-back wins to finish up the
month of October here.
Completing
the field are Cowboy Cold for Luke Plano; Native’s Revenge, who will have the services
of Mooney Svendsen; Quality Sport for Steve Wiseman; and Total Classic, who
leaves from the cozy inside post with James Kennedy giving directions.
