Alan Kirschenbaum Pace at Cal Expo

Graceful Horizon (Vertical Horizon), who has five victories at the head of the harness racing class this season, gets top billing in Sunday night’s featured $12,500 Alan Kirschenbaum DHA Pace for fillies and mares at Cal Expo Harness.

The Kirschenbaum will highlight an 11-race Watch and Wager LLC program that is set to get underway at 5:35 p.m.

Graceful Horizon is a 6-year-old mare who carries the banner of Set The Pace Racing LLC with Nick Roland doing the driving and training.

She made a rare break on the first turn in last weekend’s Distaff Open, but a repeat of either of her two previous miles would make her very tough in the Kirschenbaum.

She was a game winner of the March 8 DHA Pace after being hard used in the early stages, then had an easier time on the front end a week later while taking the Open in a 1:53 2/5 mile.

Graceful Horizon will be gunning for her 30th victory from 75 lifetime trips to the post with $275,000 in the bank and a mark of 1:52 1/5 that was established two years ago.

Divine Art has been knocking on the door in her last few starts and looms a major threat while Give Me This Dance also has some solid wins at this meet to her credit. Wish I Had Thyme, Senga Nightmare and Shirley Skip Shady round out the cast.

Race honors memory of Alan Kirschenbaum

Sunday’s Alan Kirschenbaum Pace is named for the longtime owner and breeder and past president of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 51.

Kirschenbaum was a major factor in California as an owner, breeder and amateur driver for many years. With his stallions Little Steven and British Sterling standing at Cherry Tree Farm in Wilton, he helped support the industry in California.

In the past, he had even waived his stallion fees to help the California horsemen breed their mares to help the horse population survive in the Golden State. Alan was also a huge supporter of the California Sire Stakes and amateur races.

“Alan was one of my favorite people,” said David Neumeister, president of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association.

“Everybody liked him. His impact on harness racing in California is in evidence every night in the Cal Expo racing program.

“In addition to being a prolific breeder and amateur driver, Alan was a huge political force in California harness racing.

“He ran the breeders’ association for years. He also served on the CHHA board of directors for as long as I knew him. He is missed.”

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness