BILL CONLIN SERIES ENTICES GOLD DEUCE
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal
Expo Harness
The first leg of the Bill Conlin Pacing series is in
the spotlight at Cal Expo Saturday night, with Gold Deuce heading a contentious
field of nine. A 14-race program is on tap, with the Conlin set as the fifth on
the evening.
Gold Duece will appreciate getting away from the
streaking Oompa Loompa, a performer he has chased home in his last two outings.
Prior to that, the son of I Scoot Hanover had recorded back-to-back scores in
impressive fashion for driver/trainer Wiseman.
The dark-hued pacer is owned by Kathy Plested and
Tyler Wiseman and established his 1:56 2/5 standard in his December 6 score
here. Gold Deuce did the track-and-attack to perfection that night, then came
back the following week to ride a live cover train en route to length tally.
Young American comes into this contest fresh from a
nice runner-up effort behind Rd Iou and will have her share of backers. Oza
Waddell II owns while Frank Petrelli drives and trains the daughter of American
Ideal. She was a 1:55 4/5 victress at Running Aces last season and her last
effort should have her legged up nicely for this assignment.
Rounding out the cast are Twentyone Guns with Scott
Cisco; Red Zinfandel, Bruce Clarke; Major Marcus, to be handled by Rich Wojcio;
Medoland Sapphire, Luke Plano; Wichadidja for Dave Siegel; Flash’s Camilla,
Chip Lackey; and Old Blue for Mooney Svendsen.
WHICADIDJA READY TO STAKE HIS CLAIM
Don’t
be surprised if you see Dave Siegel wearing a grin when he parades the
5-year-old pacer Whicadidja for Saturday night’s opening leg of the Bill Conlin
Series.
Siegel
co-owns the performer with Bob Thronson and Greg Robinson and admits that the
Bernie Wolin trainee automatically puts him in a good mood when he climbs into
the sulky. “He’s a goofball that
actually has me laughing half the time when I come out on the track. He cracks
me up.”
Having
said that, Siegel is quick to point out that Whicadidja is a serious player in
the Conlin and is coming up to the series in perfect shape as he seeks his
first Cal Expo snapshot after shipping in from Indiana late last year.
“We
purchased him privately this fall with the intent of bringing him here and the
allowance conditions for Indiana horses was a key part of it, so Chris (Schick)
and Ben’s (Kenney) incentive clearly worked. He is very laid back around the
Wolin barn, and even when he walks over to the paddock he is so easy going.
“He has
a funny way about him, but is very good gaited and exceptionally soft in the
mouth and easy to drive. He can be a little on the lazy side, reflective of his
personality, but once it’s time to boogie he knows how to get in gear.”
Siegel
noted he has left a couple of times with Whicadidja, including last week from
the demanding 10 post, and he has motored nicely away from the gate. “He can
race from the back or mid-pack and it’s been a nice surprise that he has
improved every single start.
“Bernie
has done a great job with him, including correcting a steering flaw we
experienced in the first start, and he has him sharper than ever. I have to say
I’ve driven horses with more talent, but never one who is so much fun.”
**********
Please
note that beginning next week, Cal Expo will be racing two nights a week on
Friday and Saturday. The following dates have been added to the schedule:
Friday (May 17), Saturday (May 18), Friday (May 24), and Saturday (May 25).
