Strong representation
for Team Knittel
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
The combination of
owner/breeders Wayne and Rod Knittel, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Mooney
Svendsen are well represented on Saturday’s program with Allmyx’sliventexas in
the Open Pace and Army Of One heading the Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing
colts.
Allymx’sliventexas is a
4-year-old by Hi Ho Silverheel’s out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Annie Get
Your Gun who has dominated his Sire Stakes rival this season, including a
sizzling 1:51 4/5 romp by 11 lengths in the February 4 big money dance for the
division.
Army Of One is another Hi Ho
Silverheel’s for this team who has been the big man on campus in the previous
four Sire Stakes decided for the 3-year-old pacing males. He is definitely
following in his stablemate’s footsteps in that regard.
Allymyx’sliventexas really
turned some heads in that aforementioned February stakes win where he blew the
doors off his rivals in front-end fashion and established his lifetime standard
in the process.
“Usually when I let him roll
he relaxes perfectly and I can drive him with two fingers,” Svendsen related,
“but that night he was like a rocket. I grabbed that bit and did all I could to
just hold on. He was unbelievable.”
Allmyx’sliventexas has also
proven himself with Open company this season, and has the advantage of the rail
draw for Saturday’s re-match with the red-hot Barbarian.
Meanwhile, Army Of One will
look to add another trophy to his case in the Sire Stakes. “He’s got
potential,” Svendsen noted. “He might turn out to be just as good as
Allmyx’sliventexas.”
Pair of Open Pacing
events head card
An Open Pace featuring the
streaking Barbarian and a Distaff Open that brings out Shark Festival and Hare
To Eternity are the highlights on Saturday evening’s program at Cal Expo.
Twelve races are on tap under
the banner of Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 6:15 p.m. There will
also be a pair of California Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacers going as
non-betting events prior to the regular card.
In the Open Pace, Barbarian is
fresh from four straight victories at the head of the class, with the most
recent coming from the demanding No. 10 post. He will leave from the outside
slot in a field of five this weekend.
Barbarian is a 6-year-old son
of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare Righteous Renee who races
for owner Robert Orr, takes his lessons from Sparky Clarke and will once again
have the services of Luke Plano.
The hard-hitting pacer has
been unbeatable in his those last four appearances, and in the process has been
putting his versatility in full display. He went coast-to-coast in the first
three of those scores, then came from last at most recent asking when asked to
his work from this No. 10 post assignment.
Doc’s Deal is an 8-year-old
son of Sportsmaster out of the Broadway Express mare Crystal Trip who is owned
by Windy City Farm and is reined and trained by Chip Lackey. He recorded his
most recent victory at the Open III level on February 24, coming from well back
to be up by a half-length that evening. He has a second, a third and a
fourth-place finish in the interim.
Completing the field are
Allymx’sliventexas with Mooney Svendsen guiding from the cozy rail slot; I’m An
Athlete, James Kennedy; and Buddy’s Hope,
who will have the services of Steve Wiseman.
