By Mark
Ratzky, publicity- Cal Expo Harness
Tyler
Smith, who this summer at age 20 became the youngest driver in harness racing
history to reach 1,000 victories, is scheduled to drive here at Cal Expo for at
least the next couple of months beginning Friday night.
Smith,
who will turn 21 in January, was the leading driver at the recently-concluded
Hooiser Park meeting in Indiana and is currently plying his trade on a
Monday-through-Thursday night basis over the half-mile Northfield Park oval in
Ohio. That leaves his weekends free to catch a plane to California and try some
Cal Expo action.
“I
was driving for Bob Johnson this summer and he suggested I look into it,” Smith
related. “After talking with (General Manager) Chris Schick I was very
encouraged and excited about the opportunity.
“I
actually prefer driving over a mile track. On a half-mile, post position can be
a big handicap and you almost always have to be moving. I like the chance to be
patient and think a little more out there.”
Smith
has been making headlines for quite some time. When he was 12 he became the
youngest to win a sub-2:00 race, driving Look Likely to victory in 1:59 1/5 in
a matinee at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in his home state of Ohio.
Smith
began his career in 2009 and earned the Peter Haughton Memorial Award, which is
bestowed to up-and-coming stars in the business. He recorded victory No.1,000
at Hoosier in August, eclipsing the record of Doug McNair who had notched his
two weeks shy of his 21st birthday.
Capturing
the recent Hoosier Park crown was especially gratifying for the young pilot. “I
never dreamed of winning that meet going in, but everything came together
perfectly and I was fortunate to be driving first call for some top barns.”
Invitational Trot, Sire Stakes head the program
An
Invitational Trot that finds Inside Broadway eyeing his fourth straight victory
and a $10,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old trotters headed by
Freedombird share the spotlight at Cal Expo Friday night.
In
an effort to even out the playing field a bit in the Invite Trot, racing secretary
Fred Kuebler has assigned Inside Broadway the demanding No. 10 post position
for this go-around, with his four rivals filling out the inside spots.
Inside
Broadway is going in razor-sharp form at the moment for his
owner/trainer/breeder Bob Johnson and regular pilot James Kennedy. The
4-year-old son of Broadway Hall eyes the hat trick this weekend and has been
putting his class and versatility on display during the streak.
His
first two decisions were on the front end, including a dead-heat with his
half-brother Franks Best who will again be among his rivals. Kennedy changed
tactics with Inside Broadway for the most recent score, as they sat a stalking
trip before coming first-over for a two and a half-length victory. He set his
mark last season with a 1:55 3/5 tour at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Taking
him on are his stablemate and half-brother Franks Best, who will have Mooney
Svendsen giving directions; Axle with Dave Siegel guiding; Sharpshootennorris,
to be handled by Steve Wiseman; and K D Amazin Spirit, who leaves from the cozy
inside slot with Tim Maier in the sulky.
Freedombird
holds the aces in the Sire Stakes, which will go as a non-betting event prior
to the regular program. The son of Panama Hanover is out of the popular mare
Kimmie Girl and races for Melissa Erzene, trainer Gordie Graham and driver Luke
Plano. Rounding out the field are Lightning Of Lodi, Tour Guide, More Tequila
and Jewel Of Lodi.
