Trainer Sets Mark With Eight Wins

Bob Johnson, the leading trainer at the track, set a Los Alamitos harness record Friday night when he saddled eight winners on the 14-race card.

Johnson, who saddled 15 horses in 11 of the races, also had two second-place finishers and two fourths.

“I had horses that were placed in good spots,” Johnson said. “They were in classes where they had a shot to win. You have to be very lucky. It was just one of those times that it worked out. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it doesn’t work out, and you pull your hair out wondering why. I have good horses and good people working for me, and it all came together. When the plan comes together, it works good.”

Johnson, 56, quit racing for five years, but returned about four years ago with the encouragement of horse owner Lonnie Beck of Stockton. Five of Johnson’s eight winners race for Beck, including Jersey Bouncer, who won the final of the $30,000 Cypress Pacing Series, and Kaycess Doll, winner of the Bye Bye Arnie Invitational. Jim Lackey, who drove Jersey Bouncer and Kaycess Doll, also was in the sulky for three more of Johnson’s winners. Johnson’s other three winners were driven by Ed Hensley.

These were the eight winners, with $2 win payoffs:

* First race--My Bossy Lady, $4.

* Third--Made Of Money, $5.20.

* Seventh--Misty Hour, $2.80.

* Eighth--Jersey Bouncer, $12.20.

* 10th--Kaycess Doll, $13.80.

* 11th--Bullpen Ace, $20.40.

* 12th--Kinda Red, $5.40.

* 13th--Spicy Bayou, $5.60.

Through Friday, Johnson had 43 winners at the meet, for a 12-win lead over Mark Anderson.