Steve Knapp has high hopes that Strong Wind can successfully
negotiate two turns when he runs in the $250,000 guaranteed Bob Benoit
California Cup Juvenile for 2-year-old colts and geldings at 1 1/16
miles on Oct. 13.
“I think he’ll run good,” said the 55-year-old trainer of Strong
Wind, who won the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Cal-breds at Del Mar by
4 ¼ lengths on Aug. 1. “He’s by Tribal Rule and I trained his full
brother, Tribal Face, and that’s why I bought him.
“He gallops long every day and his body’s developing like a router,
not a sprinter. He ran third last out in the I’m Smokin’ and the rider
dropped his stick at the eighth pole.”
Knapp has more than one rooting interest these days. His daughter,
18-year-old Stevie Jo, is on a scholarship as a power-hitting third
baseman for the Oregon Ducks’ women’s softball team, which was ranked
No. 5 nationally last year.
Stevie Jo attended Ayala High School in Chino Hills, where Knapp resides.