Alan Kirschenbaum’s Little Steven homebred Amigo De Garcia has been getting closer to his peers with each try, and he’ll attempt to take another move forward in Saturday’s (May 8) third round of 2010 Sire Stakes action.
 
A 1:57.1 winner here last season, the Tim Maier trainee has checked in fourth in both stakes clashes this season, but was much closer in the most recent gathering two weeks ago when he was beaten 2-1/2-lengths by the division leader Dancing Barry.
 
“Amigo De Garcia is named after my friend and sometimes partner, Greg Garcia,” Kirschenbaum explained.  “We created the comedy ‘Yes, Dear,’ together, and he went on to create ‘My Name is Earl.  His production company is Amigo De Garcia, so it seemed like a fun name for a horse.”
 
The dark-hued pacer is out of the Precious Bunny mare Jethica Tandy, who has also produced stakes victress Little Bit Country and Little Gary Perry.
 
“They both had high speed, but also had some mental quirks, and Amigo De Garcia is no different.  The horse is talented, but a little immature, and Greg jokes this is very apropos for an animal named after him.
 
“Like I often say, we can’t control when it will all click in for them, so sometimes you just have to bite your lip and let them figure it out.  He seems on his way to doing just that, whether it will happen in time for him to show his best in a stakes race, we’ll find that out over the next three weeks.”
 
Alan is referring to the fact that following Saturday night’s stakes event, there will be one big-money contest for the 3-year-olds in the near future, that being the $25,000 Championship set for May 22.
 
Last week, Kirschenbaum was unanimously elected President of the CHHA (California Harness Horsemen’s Association) for 2010 after serving as interim President since January 24. Owner Dave Haness was re-elected as Vice-President of the organization.
 
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (May 6) and continues through Saturday (May 8).  Post-time on Thursday is at 5:50 p.m. (PDT).  Post-time on Friday is at 5:55 p.m.  Post-time on Saturday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.  On Thursday night, Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.