After quite a bit of nibbling, Im Confident got his picture taken last week for trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Tyler Smith. He’ll attempt a curtain call in Saturday’s Cal Expo headliner while facing a slightly tougher group.
The eight-year-old son of The Panderosa comes into the assignment with $272,000 in his bank account and a 1:53 mark that was established last season at Hoosier Park. The fact that he gamely re-rallied to get the job done last week will not be lost on the bettors.
“He was one of three horses I bought last summer in Indiana from Gilbert Herrera,” said Johnson, who co-owns Im Confident with Marty Garey and Hank Wieseneck. “All three had over $200,000 on their card, but he’s the only one who really worked out.
“He has that back class working for him and I was actually shocked he was on the lead last week and then re-rallied to beat the favourite. As far as Tyler Smith is concerned, I’ve never seen a driver with so much talent at such an early age.”
Last summer, at age 20, Smith became the youngest driver in harness racing history to reach 1,000 victories. He has been dividing his time between Northfield Park in Ohio and Cal Expo of late, although the nasty weather back east shut down Northfield earlier this week.
“I was driving for Bob this summer and he suggested I look into coming to Cal Expo,” said Smith, who will turn 21 later this month. “After talking with (general manager) Chris Schick, I was very excited about the opportunity.”
Smith, who captured the Hoosier Park driving crown, noted that he actually prefers to race on a mile track. “On a half-mile track, post position can be a big handicap and you almost always have to be moving. I like the chance to be patient and think a little more out there.”
Its Getting Hairy Gets The Marquee Treatment
Its Getting Hairy, who has been doing all his recent work at the Invitational level against the likes of Pancetta and One And Only, gets some class relief and has earned the top billing in Saturday’s pacing feature at the Watch and Wager LLC meet at Cal Expo.
Among the major rivals in the main event are the hard-knocking Split Ticket, Phantom Dan and recent victor Giant Sculpture. A 14-race card is on tap with first post set for 5:20 p.m.
Its Getting Hairy, a five-year-old son of Relentless Yankee, is owned by Denise Maier. Tim Maier does the driving and training. Last year saw ‘Hairy’ capture nine of his 24 appearances, including a lifetime-best 1:52.3 clocking at Running Aces.
The dark-hued performer was razor sharp earlier in the meeting, including back-to-back wins at the Open 2 level in November where he used a wicked stretch kick to prove a punctual favourite on both occasions.
Its Getting Hairy has had to settle for minor awards in the interim, however, while facing some pretty tough customers. He figures to be much more at home with this weekend’s rival and could easily return to his winning ways under these conditions.
Like Its Getting Hairy, Phantom Dan was an Open 2 victor earlier in this session and is a nice fit at this level. James Kennedy drives, trains and co-owns the son of Little Steven with Jennifer Burns and he was beaten a head last weekend in a solid effort.
Giant Sculpture is moving up in class after posting a convincing score from well off the pace at most recent asking. The six-year-old Village Jolt gelding goes about his business for A Piece Of The Action LLC with Gene Vallandingham the conditioner and Steve Wiseman making a return engagement in the sulky.
(Cal Expo)