by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — Last week saw Franky Provolone getting the job done and going over the $200,000 earnings plateau in the process, putting a big smiile on the face of owner/trainer Robin Clements.

The 9-year-old trotting son of Armbro Scribe had come up wanting in his previous few starts, but was all business last weekend at Cal Expo as he did the track-and-attack to perfection for Steve Wiseman and posted a 2-3/4 length decision over favored pacesetter Bellini Martini.

“Steve had driven Franky the week before and commented that he didn’t seem that good, even behind the gate,” Clements related. “We actually had a spot reserved for him on Steve’s van for Minnesota, but after that race we both agreed that maybe Franky needed to skip Minnesota and take the summer off.”

As a result, Robin decided to train Franky Provolone a little harder than she normally would and felt fortunate that Wiseman was available to once again handle the veteran trotter last weekend.

“He asked me if he should duck Franky off the gate and I stated laughing,” Clements explained. “I asked him if I had ever told him how to drive this horse, and he answered no.”

Steve and Robin did figure that the rail mare Tour Guide was going to leave away from there as she normally does, leaving Franky Provolone in a good tracking position if he left a bit from his No. 6 post. It worked out nicely.

“Steve always gets along with Franky and drove him perfect the other night, and even though he won and looked like his old self, he’s still going to get the summer off and will go down to my friend Jennifer Sperry’s farm in Patterson.”

Knittel homebreds head sophomore Sire Stakes

The combination of owner/breeders Wayne and Rod Knittel, trainer Bob Johnson and driver Mooney Svendsen will attempt to continue their domination of the 3-year-old pacing Sire Stakes ranks on Saturday night (April 23) with Allmyx’sliventexas and Moonstone Beach.

A 12-race card is scheduled with first post set for 6:25 p.m. The $10,000 Sire Stakes for colts will go as the fifth event on the evening, while the $10,000 contest for fillies will be a non-betting affair prior to the regular card.

Allmyx’sliventexas is a son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Annie Get Your Gun who has won six of 10 starts, including victories in the opening leg of the Lonnie Beck Series and all five Sire Stakes decided for the division.

The bay performer was 10 cents on the dollar when this group suited up most recently two weeks ago and did not disappoint his many backers. Racing over a sloppy track, he went right to the front for Svendsen and reported to the wire with 5-1/2 lengths to spare.

Taking him on are Rock Of Ages with Mike Jarvis; One More Chance, Luke Plano; Mathachusetts with Steve Wiseman; and Midnight Adventure, who has the services of James Kennedy.

Like her stablemate, Moonstone Beach has captured all five stakes trophies for the sophomore distaffers. This Knittel homebred is by Crisis Situation out of the Beach Towel mare BJ’s Beach Fire and is gunning for her seventh win from eight trips to the post.

In the last stakes clash two weeks ago, Moonstone Beach romped home by 5-3/4 lengths for Svendsen over the sloppy going.

Plain Awesome and Little Emma will once again face her on Saturday.