Both horse and driver had been off since January, the former off a break, the latter because of a very scary spill, but on their return to the races, both Calzone and Rich Wojcio were winners
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Open 2 Handicap trotters, racing for a purse of $5,200, were featured on Friday, August 13 at Cal-Expo on opening night of the summer/fall/winter meet, on which Calzone closed fastest of all.
Before starting from his assigned Post 5 in the field of the same number, driver Rich Wojcio had reason to be confident.
"He qualified very, very well and I thought I had as good a chance as any despite the fact that I knew I'd be coming from last," stated Wojcio. "I, however, wanted to keep him relaxed especially because it was his first start since January 30 and I knew he'd be anxious."
Coming away last into a :30 second first-quarter, Wojcio had a bit of an issue to deal with to the 5/16ths pole.
"I wasn't sure which way Ailenes Prince [and Steve Wiseman] was going when he broke so I stayed where I was while he went to the outside and my horse handled it fine."
Getting checked and losing just under two-lengths while inheriting a spot to the three-eighths mile pole, Wojcio had his charge back with the field past the 7/16ths mile marker into a :59.4 first-half.
Remaining in the cleanup spot until pulling first-over to the three-quarter mile station (1:28.4), Calzone sent a great message to his 49-year-old pilot.
"He was loaded when I pulled him and I thought I could win. It was just a matter of letting him trot."
Racing three-lengths off the lead at the head of the lane and now three-wide, Calzone was soon in full gear with an eighth of a mile to go.
"He was picking them up and laying them down like you called it and was trotting very well. He was strong through the wire and did it easily."
Quickly to the lead at mid-stretch with the whip over Wojcio's shoulder, there'd be no catching the five-year-old as he'd win ($3.40) by 1-3/4-lengths. Bred, owned and trained by Gordie Graham, the gelding stopped the timer at 1:58. The pocket-sitting Jam And Jelly (Gene Vallandingham) finished in second, and the pacesetting Meringue (Etienne Desomer) finished another 1-3/4 lengths back, in third.
"Gordie has done, like I've always said, a phenomenal job with this horse. He was well prepped and put in a very good effort in a very fast mile for tonight. I couldn't have asked for a better or nicer horse to drive in my first race back," finished a smiling Wojcio.
On the opening night card, driver Steve Wiseman recorded four wins.
(Cal Expo)