by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — It was very fitting that Lemoyne Svendsen was sitting behind a trotter for a momentous occasion.

It may have been the last race on a Thursday night (March 3) at Cal Expo, but for 52-year-old Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen, it was one of his proudest moments as he guided the 18-1 shot Mighty Kicker home for his 2,500th career driving triumph.

For Svendsen, getting the victory with a trotter had to put a smile on a very special person.

“My father, Lorenz, when I was growing up in Minnesota, wouldn’t even let me sit behind a pacer when I got into the business at 16,” noted Svendsen. “As a matter of fact, the first time I drove a pacer was for another trainer at a Minnesota fair when it was late into my second year of driving when I was 17. I, however, had to arrange it that it would be a late driver change at post time, plus I had to sneak to the draw gate to have the trainer hand me the lines before my dad could realize what was going on. I was lucky enough to win the race, and when I came back to the paddock, my dad was waiting there with this very stern look on his face. When I got off the bike, he came up to me, then broke a smile and said, ‘Good job son, I’m very proud of you.'”

For the current Cal Expo leading driver, he couldn’t help but dedicate his 2,500th career victory to two people.

“I want to dedicate this race to my hero and mentor, my father. He is the person that started this run. I only wish he was still here to see this.

“There is another person I would like to dedicate this milestone to, my wife Jodi — the strongest person I know. Keep the fight up Jodi; I know you are tough enough to beat this monster. I’ll be here for you, I love you.”

When Svendsen is talking about his wife beating this “monster,” he’s referring to breast cancer, which she has and is being treated for in Indiana. So far, things are moving along in a positive manner.