Getting the trip he loves combined with a pilot who this week could do no wrong, resulted in victory for Ivegotwhatuneed
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A field of five, four in a condition, one to be claimed for $30,000, were featured at Cal Expo on Saturday night (May 28), in which the lone claimer, Ivegotwhatuneed, won for the 33rd time in his career.
In advance of starting from Post 2, driver Luke Plano knew with his charge that position and trip was the difference between winning and losing.
"I was kind of hoping for a two-hole trip," said Plano. "I just wasn't sure who it was going to be behind so I had to make a gate time decision."
With the field sent on their way and with no one leaving, Plano got his wish as the field dropped into post-position order.
"I obviously liked the pocket trip I was going to get; I just wasn’t sure how strong Haggin Oaks (James Kennedy) would be on the front against that caliber of horses."
Getting a perfect trip through first-half fractions of :29 and :58.1, Plano, at the midway point of the final turn, took a look back and wasted no time in pulling and urging his gelding.
"I felt like I had an awful lot of pace at that point, plus the horses to beat were coming -- that being Nittany Linebacker (Rich Wojcio) and mainly Keystone Eli (Lemoyne Svendsen). Given that I had gotten a pretty good trip, I thought I would try him from there and see how far he could brush."
Just a half of one length back at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:26.4, good things were about to happen for the eight-year-old.
"He had a lot of 'go' when I came out of the hole and felt strong. I felt my chances were obviously solid at that point."
Taking over the lead with just under 3/16ths of a mile to go, then on top by two and a haldf lengths at mid-stretch, there'd be no catching the son of Givemewhatineed.
"I got after him a bit down the lane and he really responded with a high gear and paced strongly right through the wire."
Owned by Marty Garey in partnership with trainer Bob Johnson, Ivegotwhatuneed won ($7.20) by two lengths in 1:54.2. Keystone Eli (Lemoyne Svendsen) closed from last to complete the Johnson trained exacta, and Nittany Linebacker raced fine while another three-quarters of one-length farther back, in third.
"I've driven him a few times in the past. He's a real nice and honest horse, who when he gets his trip, is awful hard to beat at about any level. He raced great."
For Plano, the victory was one of eight wins on the 14-race card, a personal best from seven. For the week, the 31-year-old had 17 triumphs.
"I had a lot of racing luck and a lot of live horses in the right spot. But with the absence of my father (Rick Plano) racing out east and Timmy Maier racing in Minnesota, there's a lot more openings around here that many people may not realize. And with them not here right now, it makes it easier on us guys and I benefitted from it completely," finished Plano.
(Cal Expo)