By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
The start of a harness race
is extremely important, and when it comes to getting the fields away in good
order here at Cal Expo, Kenny Fowler is the man.
Along with his
assistant/driver Larry Dana, Fowler is responsible for making sure everybody is
up close and personal with the starting gate when the car starts to speed ahead
to send them on their way.
“I’m coming up on my 30th
year,” said Fowler. “I started in 1988 with Larry Jones and then I spent 20
years as the driver with Bill Vallandingdam, and that experience was
invaluable.”
For the last four years,
Fowler has been the starter here at Cal Expo and does an excellent job of
giving every horse and driver the best possible start. Much like a referee in a
sporting event, when you don’t hear much about them, that means they are doing
a good job.
One of the changes that has
been made over the years is the switch from the traditional Cadillac to a
four-wheel drive, which is especially import when it comes to traction and off
tracks.
“There are special challenges
when it’s raining, no question about that,” Kenny related. “One is getting the
wings on the starting gate closed before you get into the turn. When the wings
are open all the weight is on the back of the car, so it’s a little tricky.
“To be honest, the wind and
the fog are much tougher obstacles than the rain and a muddy racetrack.”
Robert Staats Prep
matches pacing distaffers
A well-matched field of eight
pacing fillies and mares will do battle in Saturday night’s featured Robert
Staats Prep, with Rockin Repeat and Be My Lucky Lady among the major
contenders.
The feature will go as the
eighth on an 11-race program under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first
post set for 6:10 p.m.
Rockin Repeat and Be My Lucky
Lady will have a rematch Saturday after finishing a head apart in a conditioned
event here last week. Rockin Repeat got the better of that skirmish after
sitting a pocket trip that evening.
A 3-year-old daughter of
Rockin Image, Rockin Repeat is owned by George Reider and Dave and Rob Haness with
Reider training and Luke Plano once again doing the honors. Last week’s 1:53
2/5 victory established a new lifetime mark for the sophomore.
Be My Lucky Lady is a Hi Ho
Silverheel’s homebred who takes her lessons from Kathie Plested and will have
Steve Wiseman at the controls. She has been runner-up in her last two trips to
the post and is a nice fit with this group while leaving from the No. 6 post.
Cenalta Call Girl took the
measure of several of these rivals in the Annette Funicello Final last month
and should be right in the thick of things. The Canadian miss races for Rene
Goulet and Helen and Myrna Empey with Goulet reining and training.
Rounding out the field are
Cenalta Couger, Yeswellnomaybe, Alwaysalittlemore, Free Radical and Wizzel
Stix.
