Among the warriors set to suit up at Cal Expo on Friday evening are the nine-year-old pacer Im An Athlete, who competes in the ninth race; and the 12-year-old trotting stalwart Franks Best, who will doing his thing in the featured second event on the card.
Im An Athlete is a son of Art Major who goes about his business for Ronald Rettig-Zucchi and takes his lessons from Jessie Pacheco. He recently went over the $200,000 earnings plateau with a 1:51 career standard that was established last season.
Off the class drop in last week’s start, the hard-hitting pacer was hammed down to 30 cents on the dollar and did not disappoint his many backers, as he made every pole a winning one with James Kennedy at the helm.
“He’s just ‘so-so’ on the smaller tracks around the tight turns, but he really likes it here at Cal Expo,” Pacheco noted. “He’s just a pro. You can jog him with two fingers and he doesn’t need hopples to train.”
Franks Best is also a real pro and is slowly but surely closing in on a $300,000 bank account for his owner/trainer/breeder Bob Johnson.
“There’s no question, he’s one of my all-time favourites,” related Johnson. “He just loves to go out there and race.” For the record, Franks Best will be making his 261st trip to the post and has recorded 48 wins, 47 seconds and 37 thirds – his 1:55.4 mark was recorded three years ago.
One Chief eyes encore in featured Trot
One Chief, fresh from back-to-back solid efforts, looks to be the one to beat in Friday night’s featured $5,500 Trot at Cal Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will present an 11-race card with the action set to get underway at 6:10 p.m. The main event will take to the track for the second event of the evening.
One Chief is a six-year-old son of Lucky Chucky out of the Credit Winner mare Chippewa who competes for Don and Barbara Arnstine, Steve Chamber and Tyler Wiseman. Kathie Plested performs the training and Luke Plano pushes the buttons at the controls.
Sent off the even-money choice in last week’s assignment, One Chief was unhurried early before coming first over at the half to engage the leader. He opened a clear advantage once straightened for home and went on to a three and three-quarter-length score for his first snapshot of the season.
Franks Best was up for the exacta completion in that affair and always has to be respected for the team of owner/trainer/breeder Bob Johnson and regular pilot Mooney Svendsen.
The 12-year-old son of Armbro Scribe comes into Friday night’s assignment with $283,000 in his account and a 1:55.4 mark that was established three years ago. He is looking for his second win from 12 appearances on the season.
Completing the field are Majestic Lady Jo, who leaves from the rail with Nate Sobey; Dougs Hobby Horse, who will have James Kennedy at the controls; and Windun Galaxe, departing from the outside slot with Chip Lacey in the sulky.
(Cal Expo)