Putoneonnetformom Surprises Off Layoff At Cal Expo

Putoneonnetformom Surprises Off Layoff At Cal Expo
Saturday, September 10, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

Having not raced since June 11 combined with two horses that looked tough didn't lead to an optimistic prognostication, but when it was all said and done, Putoneonnetformom was in the winner's circle.

Winners-Over trotters, racing for a purse of $4,500, were featured at Cal Expo on a hot 96 degree Friday night (September 9), on which Putoneonnetformom slightly upset.

Before starting from post-position two in the field of five, what were the thoughts of catch-driver James Kennedy considering he picked up the drive on a late driver change, plus he had never driven the seven year-old who hadn't raced in almost three months?

His trainer Rocky Stidham told me he probably wasn't ready despite winning his qualifier in 2:02.4, and of course I thought the same," stated Kennedy. "The outside horses, Alpine Hawk (Rich Wojcio) and Franks Best (Lemoyne Svendsen) were the ones I wanted to follow - - which meant I had to make sure I got ahead of Noble Way (Luke Plano) who was to my inside. If Alpine Hawk and Franks Best left and I was able to follow them - - then I would just sit my ground and hope for third."

Leaving and getting the lead just a sixteenth of a mile past the start, Kennedy pushed some before yielding to the 3-16the mile pole while eventually coming away third and following Alpine Hawk who was following Franks Best, all off a :30.1 opening quarter and a 1:00.1 first-half.

With Svendsen now gassing Franks Best past the five-eighths mile marker and getting away while Alpine Hawk couldn't go with him, Kennedy stuck to the game-plan and remained content while 5-1/2 lengths back at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:29.

"It looked like I would be a solid third because I know when Alpine Hawk straightens up that he goes on real good."

On the move at the head of the lane and three-wide with just under 3-16ths of a mile to go, Kennedy had his gelding brushing at the seven-eighths mile pole while Franks Best now started shortening his stride.

"At that point I said, 'Wow, look at this, I think I’ve got a shot.'"

Moving nicely with a sixteenth of a mile to go with Alpine Hawk also moving between horses, was Kennedy concerned with his late closing foe?

"No, considering because as fast as he was going - - I was gaining more while being ahead of him. I just kept driving my horse and hollering at him and we crossed the wire first."

Bred & owned by Jeff, Gerald & Diana Cimini, Putoneonnetformom did the best work late to win ($10.80) by 1-3/4 lengths, in 1:59. Alpine Hawk finished in second, and Franks Best was another 2-1/2 lengths farther back, in third.

"It turned out to be a pretty exciting race because I really didn't think I had a shot, plus I won the winners-over trot. He raced super awesome especially given the layoff and what Rocky (Stidham) thought," concluded Kennedy, who along with Steve Wiseman had a driving triple.

Live racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (September 10) at 6:00 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m. Also on Saturday, its Dollar Night, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Cal Expo is now offering a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on Saturdays for both Pick 4’s. In addition, the late Pick 4 will come with a $15,000-guaranteed pool and there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made on track or at Twinspires.com.