by Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — One of the new faces here from Alberta is Ryan Grundy, who has certainly made his presence known through Cenalta Power, a pacer who has won two of his three starts here including a lifetime-best 1:52.4 score last weekend.

If the name Grundy sounds familiar, it’s because the 33-year-old is the great nephew of Jim Grundy, a mainstay on this circuit for decades and one of the best driver/trainers to every ply their trade in California.

“I grew up around the horses,” Ryan related. “I was probably about 6-years-old when I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

It was Jim Grundy’s brother, Art, who was a mentor to Ryan. “My grandfather is the one who taught me everything. He was very good at bringing young horses to the races and did all his own shoeing, which I also do.”

Grundy struck out on his own in his early 20’s, starting out on the fair circuit in Manitoba while spending the last 10-years racing over the five-eighths and mile tracks in Alberta.

He has come down with his wife Ashley, and they have 10-horses here, with Cenalta Power being the star of the barn.

“I’ve had him since he was a yearling and we’re real pleased with what he’s done so far on this track,” Ryan noted.

Grundy, who will be here until very close to the end of the meeting, was asked if he has a preference when it comes to driving different-sized tracks. “I prefer a mile track like this one,” he replied. “On the half-mile, you can’t win very often if you’re not up front, and the post position is such a huge factor. A mile track is much fairer.”