The long and winding road that led the now 11-year-old pacer Lumberjack Willie to Cal Expo is explained by his current owner Scott Ehrlich.
“In the early fall of 2013, I was wagering on Hoosier Park and Lumberjack Willie caught my eye. I bet him back-to-back weeks in which he made huge closes from ‘no chance’ spots to hit the board, and then the next week, which was closing week, he was scratched.
“I wasn’t going to let him win somewhere without my money on him, so I put him [on my radar]. He shows up a week later at Yonkers, drawing the pole. Brent Holland, my friend, was down to drive. I couldn’t call him fast enough to tell him I had a ‘hot’ one for him. He wired the field at $8.90, and now I’m following his career like he was mine.”
Ehrlich was so crazy about Lumberjack Willie that he actually bet on him against Sweet Lou at Yonkers in 2014, the same year Sweet Lou won 10 in a row and was named Pacer of the Year (in the US). Lumberjack Willie finished third behind the champion and went on to win an Open Handicap over that New York half-mile track in 1:52.4.
After racing in June of 2014, the pacer disappeared from Scott’s radar until a qualifier 13 months later in 2015 at Harrah’s Chester, where he finished second. Oddly, he didn’t turn up again until a qualifier at Freehold in March of 2016, then was off again until a May 6 qualifier at Yonkers
“He broke at the start at Yonkers and was pulled up with Brent, who told me he thought he was done. Turns out he broke a coffin bone in one of his feet. Then after the recovery, he broke the coffin bone in the other foot. That was that – or so I thought.
“To my amazement, he shows up [on my radar] for a March 2 qualifier at Freehold in 2017, with his longtime East coast trainer, Jack Franklin, driving him. He qualified and for the next several starts, was okay, with the seldom driving Franklin. When Jimmy Marohn Jr. drove him on April 8, he won.”
Lumberjack Willie did his vanishing act once again following that, and eventually resurfaced in a June 8 qualifier at Hawthorne. He won that contest with Matt Avenatti.
“Wouldn’t you know it that I’m friends with his dad, David,” Ehrlich continued. “I excitingly called David to let him know how I feel about this horse. He informed me they bought him at the Delaware, Ohio May sale for $2,600.
“He promised me if his son and his fiancée, Amanda Mills, ever wanted to move him, that I’d be the first they’d call. He did nicely at Hawthorne in the $4,000 to $8,000 claimers, then went to the Red Mile where he won in 1:52.1, then was second and then finished last.
“About a month later, David called me wanting to know if I’d be interested in purchasing him, but was very forthright in telling me that he did not come out of that last race too sporty. But, under the loving care of his son and Amanda, was coming along nicely. With David’s guidance, we quickly agreed to a price, and it was off to California.”
Since arriving at Cal Expo, Lumberjack Willie has made a pair of visits to the winner’s circle, including a 1:52.3 score in February.
“He’s been getting great care from Kathie and Steve Wiseman, and the extremely diligent work of his marvellous caretaker, Jodi Svendsen,” Scott noted.
For Scott Ehrlich and Lumberjack Willie, this story has truly come full circle.
Sophomore Fillies To Do Battle In Sire Stakes
A $6,500 California Sire Stakes for the three-year-old pacing distaffers featuring Goturnumber and Brigitte Bourdeaux heads the Saturday night action at Cal Expo.
A 12-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with the first race set for 6:10 p.m.
Goturnumber is coming off a dominating victory in last week’s clash for the three-year-old pacing fillies, as she made every pole a winning one with James Kennedy and reported to the wire with nine and three-quarter lengths to spare in a sparkling 1:57.1 performance.
The dark-hued daughter of Kents On Nuke is out of the Ira mare KBs Midnight, is owned and was bred by Mark Anderson and Debra McCarthy, and hails from the Gordie Graham barn.
The first sire stakes for this group was contested two weeks ago, and it was Brigitte Bordeaux who was taking bows in a mile that saw Goturnumber make two breaks and be eliminated.
In her score, Brigitte Bordeaux sat a pocket trip early for driver Mooney Svendsen, attacked the leader turning for home, and proved best in the drive with a two and a half-length margin at the wire in a 1:59 tour.
The Hi Ho Silverheels hombred competes for Wayne and Rod Knittel with Bob Johnson training. Rounding out the cast will be Glad To Meet Ya with Luke Plano; Lucky Seven Oflodi, Tony Succarotte; and Rhythm, who will have the services of William Hernandez.
(Cal Expo)