Its Pointless heads Arnstine at Cal Expo

Its Pointless (Kent’s On Nuke), who has rattled off four straight harness racing wins at the head of the class, looks to keep the momentum going in Saturday evening’s $12,500 Arnstine DHA Free-for-All Pace at Cal Expo.

Watch and Wager LLC will conduct nine races with first post at 6:42 p.m.

Its Pointless is an 8-year-old homebred son of Kent’s On Nuke who carries the banner of Mark Anderson, hails from the Gordie Graham barn and will once again have James Kennedy at handling the lines.

Its Pointless used his powerful late kick to capture the Dave Goldschmidt in January, finished second in his next try and has now returned to greet his connections in the winner’s circle in four straight appearances.

In his most recent score, he sat next-to-last through the early stages, came after pace-setting Alilthundadownunda at the half and gradually wore that rival down for the length and a quarter decision.

It was the 24th snapshot from only 45 trips to the post for the Anderson colorbearer with his 1:52 4/5 mark established in his February 21 Open victory over this layout.

Alilthundadownunda has been his most immediate victim in his last two outings and looms the main threat once again for Set The Pace Racing LLC and driver/trainer Nick Roland.

Completing the field are Mystery Dragon, Allmyx’sliventexas and Sign Of The Times.

Cal Expo remembers Barbara Arnstine

Originally established in 2021 to recognize the passing of owner and industry leader Don Arnstine, Saturday night’s Arnstine Pace will recognize the loss of his wife Barbara in April of 2024.

Born in Freehold, NJ, Barbara Arnstine grew up in a family that enjoyed harness racing, but she did not become an active participant until she and her husband Don moved to California in 1970 to accept teaching positions at UC Davis.

Their journey as owners began with the Desomer stable in 1972, claiming Big Time, a solid performer who went on to be the all time winningest horse of any breed at Hollywood Park. Don and Barbara also co owned the first sub two-minute performer, Quaker Byrd.

In the 90s, they joined the Gilbert Garcia Herrera stable with High Hill Spirit, and campaigned several in California, including the stakes winner Little Walter.

They invested in Herrera’s move to the East with great success, owning top horses like Fortunista, a $10,000 sales purchase who earned over 500,000; Giveittoemstate, a Matchmaker series winner; Report for Duty, and current all ages track record holder at Yonkers raceway, The Artofconfusion

With Herrera racing in the East, Barbara wanted to have horses racing closer to home, so they joined the Steve Wiseman/ Kathie Plested team with the top mare Party Hangover Two.

Barbara continued to bring horses into the Wiseman/Plested barn, campaigning such solid performers as King of the Crop, Oneida Blue Chip, Major Offense, Crazy Cute and her last winner in California, Little Miss Boss.

For over fifty years, Barbara and her husband Don raced horses throughout North America enjoying the excitement, the people and winning races

Known for her kindness and generosity, Barbara is survived by her three daughters, Annie, Ruth and Rachel, her son Stephen and six grandchildren.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness