Robert Corbin is enjoying his second winter at Cal Expo while sending his share of performers to the winner’s circle.
“The weather is great and we had such a good time last year we decided to come back,” explained the 61-year-old Chicago native. While Robert got his first taste of the sport in his teens through his parents, it wasn’t until six years ago that he really got involved in the game.
“My mother passed away and we wanted to have something for my father to look forward to, so we ended up buying a broodmare and eventually purchased some racehorses as well.”
At this time, Corbin owned a trucking company and was just a casual player, but what started out as something to help occupy Robert Sr.’s time ended up being a real passion for his son, who continued to build the stable following his father’s passing two and a half years ago.
“I worked with a trainer for about a year and then took out my license in 2017,” Corbin explained.
By the way, that first broodmare he purchased with his dad was an Artsplace mare named Symphony Bay, and her first foal was Marys Pretty Girl, who has been a regular in the Filly and Mare Open Pace here.
When this session ended in April, the Corbin shedrow will return to points East to compete at Hawthorne and Hoosier Park.
Sunday Cal Expo Open lures Allmyxsliventexas
Allmyxsliventexas, victorious in seven of his eight starts at this session, is once again the horse to beat in Sunday night’s $7,200 Open Pace at Cal Expo.
The headliner will go as the eighth on a 12-race card presented by Watch and Wager LLC and things get under way at 4:50 p.m.
Allmyxsliventexas is an eight-year-old Hi Ho Silverheels homebred who races for Wayne and Rod Knittel, hails from the Bob Johnson shedrow and will be guided by Nick Roland from the outside post in the field of seven.
The Knittel charge has accounted for 46 of his 141 lifetime appearances, he’s looking to add to a $260,000 bankroll and set his 1:50 career mark at Hoosier Park three years ago.
Allmyxsliventexas kicked off this meeting with five straight trips to the charmed enclosure, with the richest of those scores coming in the December 11 Dave Goldschmidt Pace. He suffered his only setback at the stand when he was hung the mile on January 31 and tired.
He has returned to prove best in his last two trips to the post, including the most recent when he withstood a strong challenge turning for home and then came home in smart fashion to secure the length and a quarter decision in a powerful 1:51.1 tour.
Taking him on, from the rail out: Bngs Express with Tony Kerwood; Contemporary Legend, Mooney Svendsen; Super Pac Hanover for Cordarius Stewart; Hoo Nien, Gerry Longo; Buddys Hope with Jake Cutting and Pondas Prospect for Luke Plano.
(Cal Expo)