Following an eventful summer in Minnesota that had owner Robin Clements on pins and needles, Franky Provolone is back in action this weekend.

The popular performer will return to the racing wars in Sunday evening’s Open I Handicap Trot at Cal Expo, where he will face some tough customers – including El Azteca – while doing his work from Post 2 with Tony Succarotte at the controls.

Everything was going swimmingly for Franky Provolone at Running Aces this summer, as he was competing in the Open Trot at that oval and sported four wins and three seconds while facing some solid competition.

Owner Clements picks up the story. “On August 9th, during a race, Franky's heart went into an atrial fibrillation, or in layman's terms his heart went into an erratic heartbeat.

“While under the care of Steve and Kathie Wiseman, Dr. Audrey Clifton was called right away after his race and he was treated with a fluid program and later sent to Stillwater Vet clinic in Minnesota for an ECG and ultrasound of his heart. By the time Steve and Kathie got ‘Franky’ to the Stillwater clinic his heart had reverted back to an almost normal beat.”

It was decided by all involved at that point to quit with the trotter and give him time off to recuperate while in Minnesota. He was then shipped back to California in September, where he was then taken to Loomis Basin Equine hospital where another ECG and ultra sound were performed by Dr. Langdon Fielding.

“On his advice, Franky was turned out to pasture for the rest of the month,” Robin continued. “It was still uncertain what his future would be and whether he would be able to race again or be retired.”

Under the supervision of Dr Fielding, Franky Provolone started back jogging for a couple of weeks and a heart exercise monitor was attached to him during a workout mile to evaluate his heart under a strenuous workout. After consulting with an equine heart specialist and Dr. Fielding, he was given the ok to resume his racing career.

Showing no ill effects, Franky Provolone went out and romped home in his qualifier last Saturday with Mooney Svendsen in the sulky.

“It was a pretty stressful time while Franky was off, not knowing whether he would race again or not,” Clements noted. “I have to give a lot of credit to the Wisemans and Jimmy Covemaker, Franky's caretaker, for taking great care of him.

“Also to Dr. Clifton, who treated him right after the incident and who still checks on him periodically, and especially to Dr. Langdon Fielding and his team from Loomis Basin Vet Clinic. Franky had a great team of people in his corner, which I believe is how he can now resume his career.”

BBs Harley Eyes Another Snapshot In Headliner

BBs Harley, a winner of two of his last three appearances at Cal Expo, including a decisive victory at the same level last week, has the top billing in Saturday night’s Open II Pace at Cal Expo.

The feature will go as the ninth on a 12-race program that is set to get underway at 6:10 p.m. The trotters and pacers will also be in action on Sunday with a 10-race card and a first post of 5:10 p.m.

BBs Harley is a three-year-old son of Harley D Hanover who races for A Piece Of The Action LLC, takes his lessons from Gene Vallandingham, and will once again be guided by Williams Hernandez while doing his work from the assigned outside slot in a field of six.

After missing by a nose to stablemate Endeavors King is his first start at the meet, BBs Harley scored a 7-1 upset in a conditioned affair before losing by a neck to Quality Sport at next asking while leaving from the demanding Post 10.

He had the outside post once again in last week’s Open II clash, but it was only a five-horse line-up and Hernandez was able to make every pole a winner that evening. He was three lengths clear at the wire while taking a 1:53.4 tour of the oval.

Endeavors King, another A Piece Of The Action colourbearer from the Vallandingham barn, completed the exacta last week and will be seeking the barn bragging rights with Chip Lackey in the sulky. He scored back-to-back wins to finish up the month of October at Cal Expo.

Completing the field are Cowboy Cold for Luke Plano; Natives Revenge, who will have the services of Mooney Svendsen; Quality Sport for Steve Wiseman; and Total Classic, who will start from the cozy inside post with James Kennedy giving directions.

(Cal Expo)