by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — If the veteran trotter Alpine Hawk is on the lead on the final bend and you hook him, you better get by before the field hits the stretch because he’s going to make you pay once straightened for home.

That’s exactly what happened last weekend at Cal Expo, as Rich Wojcio put the 12-year-old Gordie Graham trainee on the engine from the start, took a major challenge turning for home and then showed his class through the lane to prevail by 1-1/4 lengths in a sharp 1:57 performance.

It was the first tally in an abbreviated four starts this season for Alpine Hawk, who last year posed for pictures with Wojcio following 11 of his 22 appearances. The final clocking was just a tick off his mark and he is now less than nine grand short of reaching the $200,000 earnings plateau.

“It was nice to have him race so well and win again,” said Wojcio of the Jim Winske colorbearer. “He is just a real nice, kind horse to be around. He’s been with us so long, he’s actually more like a family dog now. In many ways, he’s actually trained us.

“Meredith has done everything for him, which I believe has helped him be such a good racehorse. He isn’t the type of horse to get too excited about much, but he knows when it’s time to race and shows up each and every time.”

Alpine Hawk will suit up once again in Friday night’s (April 19) co-featured third race, where he will face several other hard-knocking trotters as he continues that quest to get to the $200,000 plateau. One night at a time.