The combination of owner/breeders Wayne and Rod Knittel, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Mooney Svendsen are well represented on Saturday’s program at Cal Expo with Allmyxsliventexas in the Open Pace and Army Of One heading the Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing colts.
Allymxsliventexas is a four-year-old by Hi Ho Silverheels out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Annie Get Your Gun who has dominated his Sire Stakes rival this season, including a sizzling 1:51.4 romp by 11 lengths in the February 4 big money dance for the division.
Army Of One is another Hi Ho Silverheels for this team who has been the big man on campus in the previous four Sire Stakes decided for the three-year-old pacing males. He is definitely following in his stablemate’s footsteps in that regard.
Allymyxsliventexas really turned some heads in that aforementioned February stakes win where he blew the doors off his rivals in front-end fashion and established his lifetime standard in the process.
“Usually when I let him roll he relaxes perfectly and I can drive him with two fingers,” Svendsen related, “but that night he was like a rocket. I grabbed that bit and did all I could to just hold on. He was unbelievable.”
Allmyxsliventexas has also proven himself with Open company this season, and has the advantage of the rail draw for Saturday’s re-match with the red-hot Barbarian.
Meanwhile, Army Of One will look to add another trophy to his case in the Sire Stakes. “He’s got potential,” Svendsen noted. “He might turn out to be just as good as Allmyxsliventexas.”
Pair of Open Pacing events head card
An Open Pace featuring the streaking Barbarian and a Distaff Open that brings out Shark Festival and Hare To Eternity are the highlights on Saturday evening’s program at Cal Expo.
Twelve races are on tap under the banner of Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 6:15 p.m. There will also be a pair of California Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacers going as non-betting events prior to the regular card.
In the Open Pace, Barbarian is fresh from four straight victories at the head of the class, with the most recent coming from the demanding No. 10 post. He will leave from the outside slot in a field of five this weekend.
Barbarian is a six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare Righteous Renee who races for owner Robert Orr, takes his lessons from Sparky Clarke and will once again have the services of Luke Plano.
The hard-hitting pacer has been unbeatable in his those last four appearances, and in the process has been putting his versatility in full display. He went coast-to-coast in the first three of those scores, then came from last at most recent asking when asked to his work from this No. 10 post assignment.
Docs Deal is an eight-year-old son of Sportsmaster out of the Broadway Express mare Crystal Trip who is owned by Windy City Farm and is reined and trained by Chip Lackey. He recorded his most recent victory at the Open III level on February 24, coming from well back to be up by a half-length that evening. He has a second, a third and a fourth-place finish in the interim.
Completing the field are Allymxsliventexas with Mooney Svendsen guiding from the cozy rail slot; Im An Athlete, James Kennedy; and Buddys Hope, who will have the services of Steve Wiseman.
(with files from Cal Expo)