Trainer Frank Petrelli arrived at Cal Expo in October from Florida with the pacer Memphis Mobster in tow, and it’s proven to be a good move. The six-year-old is off to a great start this year, posing for pictures after three of his seven appearances, and will suit up this weekend for the first leg of the Jim Dennis Series.
The Marissa Tyler colourbearer lost his best chance two starts back when he ran into traffic troubles as the 8-5 choice, but there were no such problems last week as Steve Wiseman worked out a pocket journey with Memphis Mobster and he flew home in :26.2 to get up in the final stride.
“I had been told he raced real well as a younger horse over the bigger tracks, so it seemed like the right thing to bring him from Pompano,” Petrelli explained. “He’s a nice horse to train, he likes it here and has done very well.
“That race two back, he was locked in and loaded, and then everything worked out perfectly the last time. He really sprinted home that night.”
Memphis Mobster had the misfortune to draw the outside slot in Saturday’s nine-horse line-up, but his conditioner is philosophical about the landing the poor slot.
“Better we get it now than in the final,” Petrelli responded.
Petrelli, who has 15 trotters and pacers under his care at the moment, is having a solid meet and Wiseman is his go-to driver. Having said that, he has guided a half-dozen of his charges into the winner’s circle himself.
“I actually started out as a driver and never intended to be a trainer,” he explained. “I think everybody loves to drive a winner, it’s a great feeling, and the next best thing is training one.”
(Cal Expo)