Getter Queen Flush came calling when it counted last week to capture the Alan Kirschenbaum Pace at Cal Expo with James Kennedy joining forces with the seven-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 favourite.

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 eight-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.

(Cal Expo)