The Minnesota Kid, who has established himself at the top of the division, seeks another trophy in the $20,000 USD California Sire Stakes for the three-year-old pacing colts on Friday, April 4.
First post for the 10-race Watch and Wager LLC program is 6:45 p.m. (PDT).
The Minnesota Kid is a son of Karpathian Kid who is owned by Stephanie Longo, takes his lessons from Jose Castillo and will be handled by Luke Plano.
He has dominated the first two stakes events for this group, putting his versatility on display in the process.
The Minnesota Kid took them coast-to-coast in the first big-money clash on Feb. 21, then sat back in the most recent on March 15 and came with a powerful stretch kick to win going away by 4-1/2 lengths.
Night Train Lane was the runner-up in that last stakes dance and will be looking for some revenge Friday night. The Proof homebred carries the banner of Wayne Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Mooney Svendsen doing the driving.
Rounding out the field are Wind Me up Blue, Yerderntootin, JK Cache Meoutside, Tutto Bene, Aint No Uppy Man and Blazin For Life.
Divine Art, fresh from back-to-back impressive victories, has top billing in the $12,500 USD Alan Kirschenbaum for pacing fillies and mares on Saturday, April 5.
There will also be a $20,000 USD California Sire Stakes for the three-year-old filly pacers with DM Magic Player and Mare A Raeann seeking their second trophies of the season.
Watch and Wager LLC will conduct 11 races with first post set for 6:42 p.m. (PDT).
Divine Art is a six-year-old daughter of Outrageous Art who is owned, trained and driven by Gerry Longo and comes into this assignment with 39 wins from her 105 starts with $528,990 in her account and a 1:51.4 mark.
Best known for her 17-race winning streak in 2023, Divine Art is razor-sharp at the moment, coming first-over to win the March 15 Rod Knittel and returning last week to overcome poor cover while earning a half-length score in game style.
Graceful Horizon has won five of her nine starts at this meet and will be tough for Set The Pacing Racing LLC and driver/trainer Nick Roland no matter how things shake out early.
Saturday night’s Alan Kirschenbaum Pace is named for the longtime owner and breeder and past president of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 51.
Kirschenbaum was a major factor in California as an owner, breeder and amateur driver for many years. With his stallions Little Steven and British Sterling standing at Cherry Tree Farm in Wilton, he helped support the industry in California.
In the past, he had even waived his stallion fees to help the California horsemen breed their mares to help the horse population survive.
Kirschenbaum was also a huge supporter of the California Sire Stakes and amateur races.
In addition to being a prolific owner, breeder and amateur driver, Kirschenbaum was a huge political force in California harness racing and his impact on harness racing in California is still in evidence.
(with files from Cal Expo)