By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Getter Queen Flush came
calling when it counted last week to capture the Alan Kirschnbaum Pace with
James Kennedy joining forces with the 7-year-old mare.
Getter Queen Flush was
shuffled at the midway point, but ignited when the question was asked by
Kennedy to prevail by a half-length while proving a punctual 2-1 favorite.
The bay miss carries the
banner of Richard Thomas, Dave and Rick Haness and trainer George Reider, with
the victory being a special one for all concerned as the race was named after
the longtime owner and breeder and past president of the CHHA who died in 2012.
“Getter Queen Flush has been
a gem of consistency ever since I claimed her in Minnesota for $6,000,” said
Reider. “I was so happy for the connections.
“She was a little nervous
when she didn't have too much room in the stretch, but James did a nice job
shaking free and getting up in time.
“It was very gratifying to
win the Alan Kirschenbaum, since he was a good friend of mine. We played golf
every chance we got when he came up to Sacramento and he was a great guy –
funny and smart, not to mention a pretty good golfer
“I like to think he was
smiling down at us during the race.”
Capitol Hill heads cast
in Distaff Pace
Capitol Hill, coming off
back-to-back victories at the head of the class, looks to keep the momentum
going in Saturday night’s featured $6,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.
Watch and Wager LLC will
present an 11-race program on Saturday with things getting underway at 6:10.
The headliner goes as the third contest on the evening.
An 8-year-old daughter of
Badlands Hanover from the No Pan Intended mare Champale Blue Chip, Capitol Hill
races for George McChrystal and Kathie Plested with Plested training and Steve
Wiseman at the controls.
For her recent success, the
bay miss has been assigned the No. 10 post position in the field of five, which
should make things a bit more interesting.
On March 1, Capitol Hill made
every pole a winning one in the clash at this level, holding a clear advantage
from the outset and then holding safe by three-quarters of a length over Bettor
Lady.
In her most recent appearance
on March 9, the hard-knocking performer played cat-and-mouse with Bettor Lady
on the front end and proved best by a half-length with Mooney Svendsen at the
controls.
Completing the field are
Dancingonthesand, who gives the Plested barn two looks at the outcome and has
Svendsen guiding; a pair from the Luke Plano barn in Magnifique with his
trainer at the helm and Legio X Equestris with Ryan Grundy; and last week’s
Alan Kirschenbaum victress Getter Queen Flush, to be handled by James Kennedy.
