The two had never met, but 20-year-old Harry Landy had knowledge of his charge, and that contributed to Albion pacing to the fastest mile thus far of the year at Cal Expo
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Winners Over pacers, racing for a purse of $4,500 purse, were featured on Saturday night (February 18), on which Albion got back on the winning track. Before starting from his assigned Post 5 in the field of seven, east coast invading driver Harry Landy was already in the know in regards to his charge.
"I knew this horse when he raced out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and knew he was a little lazy," stated Landy. "But I also knew that when he turns for home he really kicks in and I thought I had a real good shot."
Coming away last, but into a speedy :27.3 opening quarter, Landy wasn't complaining.
"They were rolling pretty good and for sure it helped me because the faster they go up front, the likelihood they'll come back to you instead of sprinting for him. And knowing my horse is pretty lazy, I knew I had to keep him on the bit as long as possible and get his confidence so I just kept him on the helmet in front of me and just kept him on the bit."
On the move first over to the half-mile pole, timed in :56.2 by the pacesetting favourite Marlin Hanover (Luke Plano), was Landy looking for a draft?
"To the half, I was definitely looking for cover and was surprised no one pulled because we were rolling pretty fast. I just kept a good hold of him and kept his confidence up even though we were coming first up and slowly grinding up to the leader."
Slowly advancing on the final turn, the strategy for the young New Jersey native had changed.
"In the final turn I was really wanting to roll up and get close to Marlin Hanover and battle him out so I was not looking for cover at that point."
Moving a little quicker to the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:25.2, did the third-quarter split work in the favour of the six-year-old?
"That :29 quarter brought me in a little closer and helped me."
Getting half pushed three-wide late in the final turn by the pocket-pulling Haggin Oaks (James Kennedy), was Landy still thinking he had a real good shot?
"I knew that Haggin Oaks is a pretty good horse and was the horse to beat, especially from the pocket, but I hadn't pulled the earplugs or the blinds down yet and was still pretty confident."
Starting to drive on his horse with Haggin Oaks now on the move, Landy knew two things.
"When Haggin Oaks got moving I got a little worried, but my horse was coming and he's lazy, so once I gave him some urging I could tell he was going to take off."
Charging into the lead with less than 3/16ths of a mile to go, Landy knew his first west coast winner's circle picture was soon to be taken.
"He kicked in real strong and I could just tell that he was starting to really pick up. I knew I had it."
Getting driven in the lane and drawing clear to the wire, Albion won ($11) in solid fashion by three lengths. Owned by Dan Tullio and James Mascola in partnership with trainer Matias Ruiz, the gelding stopped the timer at 1:52.4, a seasonal best and his third victory in his last four outings. Haggin Oaks was a good second and Ivegotwhatuneed (Lemoyne Svendsen) finished one and three-quarter lengths farther back in third.
"He was real strong and real good and going in 1:52.4 was pretty incredible with a back half in :54.3, which was really impressive. It was thrilling to win my first race at Cal Expo and beat the best horses on the grounds in my fastest win time ever," finished Landy, who will be returning to drive next Friday and Saturday.
(Cal Expo)