Its Pointless and Cut A Rug, impressive winners of last week’s eliminations, head the field for Saturday night’s (Dec. 5) $9,100 Bill Conlin Pace at Cal-Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will present 11 races, with first post set for 4:55 p.m. PST.
Its Pointless puts his unbeaten record in the line and figures to have his share of supporters in the main event for owner Mark Anderson, trainer Gordie Graham and regular pilot James Kennedy.’
The three-year-old homebred son of Kents On Nuke dominated the California Sire Stakes during the spring, capturing all four of his outings in facile fashion. He made his first start since March when in last week’s Conlin elimination, and he made 3-2 look like a gift with an 8-1/2-length decision in a lifetime best 1:55.2 performance.
Cut A Rug captured the other elimination and looms the main rival. The three-year-old son of Mystery Chase carried the banner of Quentin and Kimberley Schneider with Luke Plano back in the sulky.
Cut A Rug left hard last week for the lead and settled in the pocket down the backside, then responded when asked in the lane to overhaul 2-5 favourite Sherwood when push came to shove in a 1:56 mile.
The latter will give the Anderson/Graham connection two strong looks at the outcome, as Sherwood looks to avenge last week’s runner-up finish after being an ultra-game winner on opening night. Completing the field are Get My Good Side, Glen, Bizys Beatle, Night Delight, Hi Ho Julio, How You Remind Me and Sneak Peak Hanover.
Allmyxsliventexas gets another local snapshot
If you’re keeping track, last week’s coast-to-coast 1:51.4 score in the Open Pace was No. 40 from 134 starts for Allmyxsliventexas, who continues to roll along for owner/breeders Wayne and Rod Knittel, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Nick Roland.
When asked if the seven-year-old son of Hi Ho Silverheels is one of his all-time favourites, veteran Johnson responded, “I’ve had lots of good ones, and he’s right up there.”
Allmyxsliventexas has put over $235,000 in his bank account and recorded his lifetime standard of 1:50 over a sloppy track at Harrah's Hoosier Park two years ago.
“His secret is that he goes about his business every day, he takes care of himself, and he’s had an excellent groom in Jose Herrera, who has been with him since day one,” his mentor related.
“He’s been awfully sharp since he’s come back from Chicago, and he just loves this track. Even though he’s won a lot of races on the front end, he’s even better when he has a target.”
Johnson tipped that we may soon see another very nice pacer carrying the Knittel banner in the form of Proof, a recent purchase from back east.
“He’s got a 1:48 mark at Harrah’s Philly and he raced on the Grand Circuit at two and three,” Bob noted. “He should be ready to go in a few weeks.”
(Cal-Expo)