Claude, Svendsen, Johnson Remain Hot At Cal Expo

Claude, Svendsen, Johnson Remain Hot At Cal Expo
Friday, April 1, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

Between Claudius Augustus, Lemoyne Svendsen & Bob Johnson, you have quite a winning trifecta at Cal Expo.

A field of six trotters, five in on a condition, one to be claimed, were featured on a beautiful Thursday night (March 31) in northern California, on which Claudius Augustus won his second in-a-row while recording his 24th career victory.

Leaving from post-three for driver Lemoyne Svendsen and getting the lead an eighth of a mile plus into a :28.4 opening quarter, the seven year-old trotted an easy second-quarter while reaching the half-mile station, timed in :59.1 for his super confident pilot.

"I thought it was a done deal because the race was going way too easy for me," said Svendsen.

Trotting an effortless :29.3 third-quarter while Svendsen kept peaking to his right on the final-turn, the task of winning became increased at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:28.4.

"I was watching for Alpine Hawk (Rich Wojcio) because I didn't want him to come up and surprise me. When I didn't see him at that point - - I knew I was going to win."

With the field now late in the final-turn, Svendsen put the final nail in the coffin.

"I popped the earplugs and he took off. Then I grabbed into him about three steps after I popped the plugs and let him idle in."

Responding as expected when asked for the extra speed, Claudius Augustus found himself in full gear and drawing clear by 2-1/2-lengths with less than 3-16ths of a mile to go - - then easily held firm to score ($2.60) by 1-1/2-lengths. Owned by Debbie Budahn and trained by Bob Johnson, the son of Angus Hall stopped the timer at 1:57.1, a seasonal best. Alpine Hawk finished in second, and Jam And Jelly (Luke Plano) finished a long neck farther back, in third.

"I never even said 'boo' to him down the stretch and he raced excellent - - it was an easy mile," finished Svendsen.

The victory for the driver/trainer combination of Svendsen & Johnson marked their fifth straight feature win. Additionally on the Thursday card, Svendsen had a driving grand-slam while Johnson had a training triple.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (April 1) & Saturday (April 2) is at 6:00 p.m. (PDT). On Friday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m. Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered.

On Saturday, Cal Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 wagers with the Late Pick-4 now having a $15,000 gross guaranteed pool. Additionally, on Saturdays, for winning wagers made on the Late Pick 4 online at TwinSpires.com or on track at Cal Expo, a bonus payout of 17.65 percent of the gross Late Pick 4 mutuel payoff will be paid.