Frankly Scarlett Puts Streak On The Line At Cal Expo

Frankly Scarlett, fresh from four straight dominating victories, looks to keep the momentum going in Friday night’s (December 2) $3,600 Cal Expo headliner for the pacing fillies and mares.

A 7-year-old daughter of Little Steven, Frankly Scarlett is owned by Robert Bacon and is reined and trained by Steve Wiseman.  She is going in excellent form at the moment and each of her four wins has been in clear-cut fashion.

The bay miss started the skein on November 5 at a slightly lower rung and sat a perfect tracking trip for Wiseman before pouncing in the stretch.  At next asking she was an impressive first-over victress, coming to the wire with five and a quarter lengths to spare while lowering her mark to 1:54.4 in the process.

Frankly Scarlett has stepped up a notch to this level for her last two appearances.  She was a facile first-over winner two weeks ago as the 1-2 chalk, then was hammered down to 40 cents on the dollar for her most recent tour and made what proved to be the winning move at the half while showing the way to the wire without being asked for her best.

DAVE HANESS is represented by Poor House

 in Friday's headliner at Cal Expo.

Dine N Wine, Poor House and Hi Fidelity are all 3-year-olds who are exiting last week’s California Sire Stakes.  Dine N Wine captured that event and has to be respected for Team Desomer, while Poor House was third in a game, first-over try and helps make things interesting.  She is owned by Rick & Marlene Thomas, Dave Haness and George Reider with Reider the conditioner and James Kennedy at the helm.

Hi Fidelity tired in that Sire Stakes try, but in the previous mile posted a 12-1 upset.  The Laurette Odney homebred hails from the Rick Cisco barn and Scott Cisco will once again be at the controls.

Completing the field are Lust, who is trained by Bob Johnson and has Lemoyne Svendsen guiding; and Got The Giggles, a Robley Johnson trainee who has the cozy one-hole with Luke Plano in the sulky.  The feature goes as the first on a 13-race program.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (December 1) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and continues on Friday (December 2) & Saturday (December 3) at 6:00 p.m.  On Thursday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cal Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.  Additionally on Thursday, beer & wine can be purchased for $3.00 each as well.

The Thursday program (December 1) at Cal Expo will feature an Early Pick 4 with a $4,588 carryover that will lead into a $20,000 guaranteed gross pool (in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee), while the Late Pick 4 will come with a $10,000 guaranteed gross pool.  The Early Pick 4 covers the second through fifth races on the card, while the second sequence encompasses the sixth through ninth events on the evening.

In addition, every Pick 4 at Cal Expo now comes with a reduced 15 percent takeout (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Time To Come In From The Cold At Cal Expo

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

December is upon us.  The leaves are falling, winter is just around the corner and the poor horses that draw the No. 10 post at Cal Expo are now given the opportunity to leave from the second tier.

“It’s better than leaving from the 8, 9 or certainly the 10 post, especially when the rainy season arrives,” related driver Scott Cisco.  “The only time it would be a disadvantage would be when you have a horse who is a need the lead type, but that’s going to be rare.”

While it may look easy from the grandstand for the driver in the second tier to leave right behind the one-horse and get a nice spot, it’s easier said than done.

“It can be a little tricky, because you can’t always get right up behind the horse you’re following,” Cisco noted.  “But it’s a lot easier on a mile track like Cal Expo than a half-miler, where you come up on that first turn real quick and can really get shuffled in a hurry.”

Scott also pointed out that when it’s a driving rain and the track is sloppy, that’s a tough combination for any horse, especially one starting behind the rest.

“When the visibility isn’t good, you really have to play it safe back there, but that’s the same issue when you’re in the back of the pack after the start under those conditions.”

Do horses sometimes have trouble when they’re asked to start behind the gate with a second-tier takeoff?

“In most cases, we’re talking about seasoned pros in these races, and the only exception I can think of would be a young, green horse who might have some trouble with starting from there.”

Cisco feels a driver has to look at a second-tier start the same way they would any other race and map out a strategy accordingly.

“The key is to know your horse, and to know as much as you can about the other horses in the race.  That applies for all races, over all kinds of tracks from wherever you’re starting.”

Live A Little Upsets A Lot

According to the popular song, there are certain things you just don’t do.  You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind, you don’t pull the mask off the ole Lone Ranger and you don’t mess around with Jim.

Up until last weekend, they might have added you don’t take on Shamderock in a California Sire Stakes.  Going into last Saturday’s (November 26) big-money joust for the 3-year-old pacing colts, the son of Hi Ho Silverheels had made a clean sweep of the previous 10 stakes dances for the division and was looking for more trophies.

Somebody forgot to tell Live A Little, a Crisis Situation homebred who races for Wayne and Rod Knittel, takes his lessons from Bob Johnson and was guided by Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen.  Playing the role of stalker to the stretch, Live A Little ignited when given the go signal in the stretch and rolled by Shamderock for the length and three-quarters upset while lowering his mark to 1:55.2 in the process.

It was only start No. 10 for the Knittel color-bearer, who had previously recorded a third (despite a break in the stretch) and a fourth in his two stakes meetings with Shamderock.  He is obviously improving with experience and will get one more shot at stakes glory next week before the added-money action for the sophomores is concluded for the year.

“Mooney gave him a great drive and he’s only going to get better,” trainer Johnson noted.  “When I got him, he had just three or four starts and was spotting those horses experience.  He’s still a green horse and we’ve got some straightening out to do with him.”

Bob was asked how this ranks as far as upsets in stakes races goes, and after a little thought he decided to put it in the second slot.

“The first one would have to be when we won that $200,000 race down at Los Alamitos with Kaycees Doll.  Not only did we have to beat one big mare in there, we were up against two champions in Sanabelle Island and Ron’s Girl.  That was a big one.”

Interestingly, it was Rick Plano who guided Kaycees Doll to her Los Alamitos upset that evening, the same Rick Plano who has conditioned Shamderock along with his son Luke.  And the beat goes on.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (December 1) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and continues on Friday (December 2) & Saturday (December 3) at 6:00 p.m.  On Thursday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cal Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.  Additionally on Thursday, beer & wine can be purchased for $3.00 each as well.

Guaranteed Pools, Reduced Takeout Make For Real Value In Cal Expo Pick 4's

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

The Thursday program (December 1) at Cal Expo will feature an Early Pick 4 with a $4,588 carryover that will lead into a $20,000 guaranteed gross pool, while the Late Pick 4 will come with a $10,000 guaranteed gross pool.  The Early Pick 4 covers the second through fifth races on the card, while the second sequence encompasses the sixth through ninth events on the evening.

In addition, every Pick 4 at Cal Expo now comes with a reduced 15 percent takeout (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

The feature goes as the opener on the card with Franks Best and Putoneonnetformom continuing the best rivalry on the grounds in the $4,500 Winners-over Trot.  From their last seven clashes at the head of the class, Franks Best has captured four and Putoneonnetformom has posed for pictures following the other trio.

A 4-year-old son of Armbro Scribe, Franks Best is owned, trained and was bred by Bob Johnson with Lemoyne Svendsen in his usual position on the sulky.  He comes into this assignment with $114,000 in his account.  From his 25 trips to the post this year, he has come away with eight wins and five seconds.   He established his 1:57.1 standard when he sat the pocket and proved best on October 20, then missed by a neck to his arch-rival a week later while coming from last.

Franks Best returned to his winning ways in their most recent clash two weeks ago.  Sent off the even-money choice in that affair, he shot right to the front for Svendsen and carved out all the fractions without pressure.  He had little trouble holding off the pocket-sitting Putoneonnetformom while prevailing by two and three-quarter lengths and equaling that 1:57.1 mark.

James Kennedy

Putoneonnetformom is a 7-year-old Trot For Joy offspring who is owned and was bred by Jeff, Gerald and Diana Cimini with Rocky Stidham the conditioner and James Kennedy doing the honors.  His bankroll stands at $122,000 and he sports a 1:57.2 mark that was set two starts back.  Shelby County, Giles L S Hanover and Jess Or No complete the cast.

Vernon Downs Bucks Wagering Trends

November 28, 2011 by Justing Horowitz, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

VERNON, NY – Vernon Downs recently concluded its 58^th season of live racing with impressive increases in wagering handle, bucking nationwide trends.

Live on-track handle increased 4% over 2010 while export handle went up a staggering 35%.

“We’re very pleased with the successful 2011 meet and would like to thank our customers and horsemen for their support throughout the year,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing and Simulcast.  “Our substantial increase in live and export handle shows the continued growth of a quality racing product that has been well-received both on track and throughout North American simulcast facilities and advanced deposit wagering platforms.”

Racing Secretary Scott Warren was instrumental in putting together full, competitive races throughout the 90-day season, his first at the Central New York oval.

An all-time track record performance by San Pail in the $218,000 Credit Winner Open Trot topped the list of impressive stakes performances during the meet.  The 7-year-old, likely Horse of the Year, posted a 1:51.1 win over former champion Lucky Jim for co-owner/trainer Rodney Hughes and partner Glenn Van Camp.

Other stakes highlights of the season included a track record win by See You At Peelers, her 19^th straight win during her much celebrated 22-race winning streak. 

Kenneth Sommer’s Action-Broadway won the meet’s premier mare trot, the Muscle Hill, in 1:54.2.  Gym Tan Laundry broke the track record for 2-year-old gelding trotters with his 1:55.3 score in the $200,500 Kindergarten Classic for the Adam Victor & Son Stable and Lady Andi took the $182,500 filly division in 1:57.3 for trainer Larry Rathbone.

Racing returns to Vernon Downs in April 2012, pending regulatory approval.  For more information on Vernon Downs, visit their website at www.vernondowns.com

Live A Little Ends Shamderock's Sires Stakes Streak At Cal Expo

Sunday, November 27, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

Shamderock had never lost a Sires Stakes race in ten races over two years, but Live A Little proved that all good things must come to an end.

Sophomore colts & geldings were spotlighted at Cal Expo in a pair of $15,000 California Sires Stakes on Saturday night (November 26).

In the division for the pacers, held prior to the wagering card in a non-betting race, Live A Little, despite lagging the start by 1-1/2 lengths from post-four in the field of five, came away in third into a first-quarter, timed in 28.2.  Now fourth at the half-mile juncture (:58.1) as Shamderock (Luke Plano) was moving fast for the lead, driver Lemoyne Svendsen had some concerns.

"I was worried because my horse was on the left-line bad."

Moving to second-over position to the three-quarter mile station, time in 1:26, Svendsen didn't mind that Shamderock had a 2-1/2 length lead with a quarter of a mile to go while his charge was 5-3/4 lengths back in fourth.

"I kind of liked the fact that he went a :27.4 third-quarter because that type of move into the heavy air (fog was rolling in) we had tonight had to take its toll," stated Svendsen.  "But I was still very worried about the situation with my horse because he used to make breaks."

Moving three-wide to the top of the lane with 3-1/2 lengths to catch Shamderock, Svendsen could see optimism.

"I was pretty sure I was going to catch him at the top of the stretch because I looked over and saw he was failing pretty badly."

Brushing to the seven-eighths mile pole with Plano all-out with Shamderock, Svendsen knew all was good.

"At that point I could tell I was going right by him."

Closing in very willing fashion, the gelding got up late to win by 1-3/4 lengths.  Bred & owned by Wayne & Rod Knittel, the Bob Johnson trained pacer stopped the timer at 1:55.2, a lifetime best.  Shamderock had to settle for second, and Badger Creek (Harold Herrera) finished another two-lengths back, in third.

"It means something, doesn't it, that we ended Shamderock's Sires Stakes streak.  My horse raced excellent, considering," finished Svendsen.

In the division for the trotters, also held before the races in a non-wagering event, Im So Sulky won as pleased for his third straight victory, all in Sires Stakes.

Getting the lead for driver Steve Wiseman into the first-turn from post-position two in the field of five into a :30.2 first quarter, the pair had to deal in the second-quarter with a lead moving Final Chapter (Rich Wojcio).

"I figured I'd let him go and just retake," said Wiseman.

Yielding at the three-eighths mile marker, did Wiseman have issues when Final Chapter made a break at the 7-16ths mile pole?

"The break didn't bother me because I already had started to come out to go around."

Reclaiming the front past the 7-16ths mile station into a 1:01.3 first half, and into a 1:33.2 three-quarters, was Wiseman concerned that he soon had to deal with the Lodi Nickolus (Pierre Girard), who pocket pulled at the head of the lane and was gaining with a head of steam to the seven-eighths mile marker-mile?

"No, because even though he eventually got up to my neck, I hadn't even popped the earplugs yet.  I popped them at the seven-eighths, I started yelling, and he responded well and was very strong.  All it was was a ride to the wire - - I was just sitting there enjoying it."

Totally under wraps while Lodi Nickolus was all-out, Im So Sulky reported home under a pretty good grip to win by 1-1/2 lengths.  Bred in part by owner/trainer Alan Anderson, the gelding covered the mile in 2:03.1.  Lodi Nickolus was clearly second best, and Lodi Kristopher (Scott Cisco), who broke at the start, finished an inherited third, another 21-1/2 lengths farther back while the two other trotters in field broke later in the mile.

"He won very easily and was very comfortable doing it," concluded Wiseman.

Due to dense fog, which made for unsafe conditions, Cal Expo had to cancel races 9 through 15.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (December 1) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and continues on Friday (December 2) & Saturday (December 3) at 6:00 p.m.  On Thursday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cal Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.  Additionally on Thursday, beer & wine can be purchased for $3.00 each as well. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  Carryover in the Early Pick-4 (Races 2-5) on Thursday is $4,588.29.  Estimated total pool is $15,000.  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Thatssomebracciola, Dine N Wine Get CASS Cheese At Cal Expo

Saturday, November 26, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

It should have come as no surprise that Luke Plano & Steve Wiseman were the winning drivers in a pair of $15,000 California Sires Stakes for sophomore fillies at Cal Expo on Friday night (November 25), as they combined to win 13 of the 15 races.

In the first division, this for the trotters, Thatssomebracciola, starting from post-position four in the field of seven, didn't get started on the right foot as she lagged the start by more than 2-1/2 lengths.

Luke Plano

"I got turned to the gate a little late and just didn't want to rush her, and for that reason I missed the start and got a little worse position than I wanted," stated trainer Luke Plano.  "It concerned me slightly because I knew I was going to have to come a little earlier than I wanted to."

Coming away in fifth position into first-half fractions of :30.3 & 1:02, Plano moved his charge first-over to the 9-16ths mile pole and with a rush.  Why?

"We were going awful slow and my filly felt pretty strong, so I figured if I came aggressively, Steve Desomer would have a hard time changing gears with Claim Jumper and stopping me."

Powering into a parked-out lead midway through the final-turn, Plano and his lass cleared to the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:31.3, all while opening up the lead.  Now on top by 2-1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch and under wheel-disc urging to the seven-eighths mile marker while two lengths to the good, there'd be no catching the daughter of Armbro Scribe-Simply Royal as she'd report home by 1-3/4 lengths while just hand driven the last eighth of a mile.

"She trotted strongly through the lane and finished well."

Bred & owned by Rick Plano, Thatssomebracciola won ($5.80) by 1-3/4 lengths, in 2:00, a lifetime mark.  Flea Flicker (Rich Wojcio) finished in second, and Claim Jumper finished 3-3/4 lengths farther back, in third.

"She race very good and I was real happy with her performance," finished Plano, who equaled an career best for driving wins on one card, recording eight victories.

In the final division, this for the pacers, Dine N Wine won her second straight Sires Stakes.

Coming away in fifth position from post-three in the field of eight into a :28.3 first-quarter, driver Steve Wiseman made his move to the 5-16ths mile station.

Steve Wiseman

"I just wanted to let the dust settle and figured I'd make my move up the backside, versus being first-over," said Wiseman.

Moving quickly and gaining command past the 7-16ths mile marker into a :57.4 opening first-half, Dine N Wine would have to wait a quarter of a mile for pressure when Poor House (James Kennedy) was at her wheel at the three-quarters, timed in 1:27.2.

"I wasn't really concerned because I know Poor House pretty well, as well as my filly, and my filly fights pretty hard."

Under a drive as well as verbal urging at the top of the lane, Wiseman asked for more at the seven-eighths mile pole while appearing to be far from home free.

"I was a little concerned at that point, but she gives every time you ask her in that every time you urge her - - she gives you more and more, and she fought everybody off all the way to the wire."

Prevailing through it all, the daughter of Power Of Art-Bordeaux Franco N won ($3.60) by a half of one-length.  Bred & owned by Desomer Stables, Inc., and trained by Vickie Desomer, Dine N Wine was timed in 1:56.  Vantage (Anthony Succarotte) was a nice second at 40-1, and Poor House tried hard while finishing in third, another three-quarters of one-length farther back.

"She raced very gutsy," concluded Wiseman, who had five winners.

Live racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (November 26) at 6:00 p.m. (PST).  On Saturday, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Saturday, its Dollar Night, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Sire Stakes, Contentious Pace Head Saturday Cal Expo Program

A pair of $15,000 California Sire Stakes and a very challenging conditioned pace are scheduled at Cal Expo Saturday (November 26), with the stakes races going as non-betting affairs prior to the regular program.

The $3,600 pacing event will go as the tenth event on the 15-race program.  Despite landing the difficult outside post in the field of nine, Cycle Power figures to have his share of backers after racing at the winners-over level in all six starts at this meeting.

A 5-year-old son of Cambest who is owned and trained by Nathalie Tremblay and will have James Kennedy in the sulky, Cycle Power came off the bench on September 24 to post a 7-1 upset to kick off his fall campaign.  While he’s had to settle for minor awards in the interim, he gets some class relief for Saturday’s assignment and his main concern figures to be the No. 9 slot.

Shamderock is looking to continue his clean sweep of the big-money events in the pacing Sire Stakes, while Im So Sulky looks to add another trophy to the case and is the one to beat in the trotting end.

Shamderock is a homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheels who carries the banner of D&E Racing Inc. with Luke Plano driving and training.  He has captured all 10 added-money races for his division and has now reached the $100,000 earnings plateau with a 1:52 mark that was set this summer at Vernon Downs.

Im So Sulky has established himself as the leader of the 3-year-old trotting colts with two dominating stakes scores at this meeting.  Alan Anderson owns, trains and bred this Armbro Variable offspring and Steve Wiseman will again handle the lines.

Live racing resumes on Friday (November 25) and Saturday (November 26) at 6:00 p.m. (PST).  On Friday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m.   Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Can Baccala Get The Provolone Again At Cal Expo?

Friday, November 25, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

Bobby Baccala comes into this week’s action at Cal Expo seeking victory No.12 on the season and his fourth snapshot from his last five trips to the post for trainer George Reider and pilot James Kennedy.  He will once again take on his arch rival Franky Provolone in Saturday night’s (November 26) first race.

“When Rick Plano left for New York last spring, Dave and Rob Haness approached me and asked if I’d like tackle a handful and train Bobby Baccala,” Reider related.  “Dave told me the horse was temperamental, and would be a bit of a project, but Luke Plano got along with him pretty well and would continue to drive him, if possible.  I said sure and the project began.”

As noted earlier, the experiment has been a success as the 4-year-old son of New Age Hanover has made a steady stream of winner’s circle appearances in the interim.  As things turned out, Luke Plano has a horse of his own in the same class in Frank Provolone, so James Kennedy has been deputizing in the sulky and has been doing a great job.

From the last five times Bobby Baccala and Franky Provolone have shown up for battle in the same race, the Reider trainee has won three and Luke’s trainee has accounted for the other pair.

“Hanne (Bainter) has given wonderful attention to Bobby and he has responded,” George continued.  “Bobby and Franky Provolone have been racing well and are taking turns beating each other.  It’s a fun rivalry not only because of the horses, but the drivers.

“James and Luke are two of the best.  Luke is a tactician, studies every race and is so good at putting his horses in good spots.  James always has to be concerned where Luke and Franky are, and fortunately has been up to the task in most of their tries lately.  We will be very wary of taking them on again this week.”

Sophomore Filly Sire Stakes Hold Friday Night Spotlight At Cal Expo

Two $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing and trotting distaffers are on tap at Cal Expo on Friday evening (November 25), with Dine N Wine and Flea Flicker seeking trophy encores in very contentious fields.

Dine N Wine looms large in the pacing event after posting a decisive victory in the most recent stakes gathering two weeks ago.  The Desomer Stables homebred daughter of Power Of Art and the New Zealand mare Bordeaux Franco is conditioned by Vickie Desomer and will be guided by Steve Wiseman.

In the last Sire Stakes for this group on November 11, the Desomer color-bearer was sent off the 7-2 second choice.  She made an eye-catching move at the half to take command on the final bend, then extended her advantage to the stretch en route to a three and a quarter-length score in that affair.

RICH WOJCIO guides Flea

Flicker and Whip And A

Prayer in Friday's

 Sire Stakes at Cal Expo.

Meanwhile, Flea Flicker is fresh from picking up her initial stakes victory two weeks ago for owner/breeder/trainer Mark Anderson and pilot Rich Wojcio.  A daughter of Armbro Variable and the popular Valleymeister mare Benn’s Fire, Flea Flicker sat the pocket in that stakes decision and then overpowered pace-setting Claim Jumper to prevail by two lengths.

This week will find an abbreviated schedule, with programs on Friday (November 25) and Saturday (November 26) at 6:00 p.m. (PST), but no racing on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24.  The regular three-night schedule will resume on Thursday, December 1 and continues through December 18.  On Friday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m.   Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered.

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Putoneonnetformom Carries On Cimini Family Tradition At Cal Expo

Thursday, November 24, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

There is a lot more to Putoneonnetformom than the story behind the name.   First there is the father/daughter/son team of owner/breeders Jeff, Gerald and Diana Cimini; the sire Trot For Joy, who raced strong until his forced retirement at 14; and the dam Light The Lamp, who died just five months after giving birth to her first foal.

“We’ve been involved in harness racing since the late 1970s,” Jeff explained.  “My dad was a jockey in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but he gave that up before I was born.

“We had moved to California and our neighbor was Len Corbisero, who was known as the ‘Goodie King’ because of all the promotional items he gave away as part of his business.  He was a harness owner, and he took us to Hollywood Park at night and then to the backstretch in the morning.  I remember riding on my dad’s lap in the sulky at age 8, and I was hooked.”

The Ciminis have had their share of nice horses over the years, including Delusionofgrandeur, who registered 38 lifetime victories and banked over $178,000 in his career.

“That was our first homebred winner, and it was a big thrill,” Jeff said.

This brings us to Light The Lamp, another homebred who was a very special member of the clan.

“She and I broke our maiden in the same race, and I was on cloud nine for a week,” Cimini recalled.  “She had her problems, including EPM, and we ended up breeding her to Trot For Joy, who was a game veteran who was top class right up to his retirement.” 

Soon after he was born, the weanling to be named Putoneonnetformom developed a blood infection and things did not look good.

“We rushed him to the hospital and they wrote him off, but somehow he survived.  Unfortunately, Light The Light died five months later from the West Nile Virus.”

The Ciminis are big hockey fans, which may give you a major clue when it comes to Light The Lamp, who was a daughter of Armbro Goal, and her son.

“Light The Lamp is when you score a goal, and as a tribute to her, we named the colt Putoneonnetformom.  He never won a Sire Stakes, but he had the misfortune of coming along the same year as Hitchiker, who won just about every one of them.  We had a lot of seconds, though, and were very proud of him.”

Now a 7-year-old in the Rocky Stidham barn, Putoneonnetformom has won three of his last six starts while part of an outstanding rivalry with Franks Best for the top trotting position at Cal Expo.

“He’s got his father’s longevity and his mother’s heart,” Jeff Cimini said.  “That’s a great combination.”

2012 Cal Expo Schedule Approved By CHRB

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo


The 2012 Cal Expo Harness winter-spring-summer racing schedule was approved by the California Horse Racing Board at its monthly meeting held at Hollywood Park Racetrack on November 17.


The racing schedule which begins on Friday, December 30 and continues through Saturday, June 17, 2012, will consist of 70 racing days. Racing at the Sacramento oval will continue on a Thursday through Saturday basis with the exceptions of Thursdays January 5th, 19th, February 23rd, and May 31st. Racing will not be held on those Thursdays.


Post times for the daily schedule will continue to be 5:30 P.M. (PT) on Thursdays and 6:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.


This week will find an abbreviated schedule, with programs on Friday (November 25) and Saturday (November 26) at 6:00 p.m., but no racing on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24. The regular three-night schedule will resume on Thursday, December 1 and continues through December 18. On Friday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m. Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered.


Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee). In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool. On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Forest City Attracts Star-Studded Field

Several of this year’s star performers, on the track and in the bike, will be at The Raceway at Western Fair District this Saturday night for the $195,000 Forest City Pace, the feature event of the fall meet at the London, Ont. racetrack.

The draw was completed this morning among the nine pacing mares which will compete for the title. Between them they have amassed $10.5 million in purses, with five having a million dollars or more earned in their illustrious careers to date.

"This is certainly the toughest field we’ve ever assembled for this event, it should be a great race," noted Ian Fleming, the track’s racing and gaming manager.

 

 

Recent Breeders Crown winner Anndrovette, a winner of 11 of 19 this season for $747,338 in earnings, will not have the best post possible in the field, but she’ll have the advantage of North America’s top driver in the sulky as Tim Tetrick will make his first ever appearance at The Raceway to guide the 4-year-old Riverboat King daughter.

 

 

Tetrick will be available for an autograph session, along with local favorites and top drivers Jody Jamieson and Trevor Henry, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Raceway’s front entrance.

 

 

This is the third annual Forest City Pace. The inaugural was captured by Southwind Madonna in 2009 and last year’s edition saw Dreamfair Eternal establish a stakes record of 1:54.3. Dreamfair Eternal will be back to defend her title and has drawn post six with Chris Christoforou in the bike. He guided her to last year’s victory as well.

 

 

The Raceway will be simulcast into California for the first time. They will be showing the Forest City Final and another race on the program as well.

 

 

The field will line up as follows:

1. Warrawee Koine (Trevor Henry)

2. Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon)

3. Seriously (Jody Jamieson)

4. Ginger And Fred (Trevor Henry)

5. Blissful Smile (Scott Zeron)

6. Dreamfair Eternal (Chris Christoforou)

7. Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick)

8. Chancey Lady (Luc Ouellette)

9. Ticket To Rock (Jody Jamieson)

SBOANJ THANKS GOVERNOR FOR ASSISTANCE IN FREEHOLD PURSE INCREASE

MANALAPAN, NJ – November 21, 2011 – Freehold horsemen have something to be thankful for this week – a purse increase.

The purse increase going into effect at Freehold Raceway on Friday is the end product of negotiations between the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey and the Office of the Governor.

“We want to thank Governor Chris Christie and his staff for working with us to reach the agreement that released Purse Enhancement Agreement [PEA] funds to benefit Freehold Raceway this year,” said SBOANJ President Tom Luchento. 

The PEA dollars came through the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which recently received and dispersed the funds.  Effective November 25, 2011, the purses at Freehold will be increased 30 percent for a daily distribution of $40,000.

“This will be a much needed boost to our horsemen who race at Freehold,” said Luchento.  “We will continue to work with state officials to find ways to enhance purses in 2012.”

--Submitted by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

El Azteca, Ra Ra Steven Leave No Doubt In Sires Stakes At Cal Expo

Sunday, November 20, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

Two $15,000 California Sires Stakes for freshman colts & geldings were the featured events at Cal Expo on Saturday night (November 19), on which El Azteca & Ra Ra Steven remained at the top of their class.

In the first division, this for the trotters, El Azteca made if four for four in his career, all in Sires Stakes.

Leaving from post-position two in the field of four for breeder/owner/trainer Marco Rios, the pair made an easy lead after a sixteenth of a mile into a very easy :32.2 opening quarter.  With the field now approaching the three-eighths mile marker, Rios had a bold and quick moving surprise from the longshot on the board.

"When I saw Lees Persuader (Jim Lackey), I wasn't going to let him go because I know the horse and he can make a break - - so I let out a notch on my horse," stated Rios. 

With Lees Persuader now at the wheel of El Azteca at the 7-16ths mile pole and prompting, the colt was still able to trot a :32.2 second-quarter while reaching the half-mile station, timed in 1:04.2.  Now on the final-turn and getting light whip taps past the five-eighths mile pole while rebuffing the challenge of Lees Persuader, El Azteca reached the three-quarter mile marker in 1:35.2.  With the field now at the head of the lane and El Azteca drawing clear by two-lengths, the pocket sitting Light Red (Lemoyne Svendsen) made a self-costing break.

"When Light Red made the break, that didn't have any bearing on the outcome because I hadn't used my horse - - he was very strong at that point.  And he stayed real strong, he was perfect through the stretch."

Opening up three-lengths with a little more than an eighth of a mile to go, the son of Panama Hanover-Jonathan's Girl would cruise home to a very easy victory ($3.60) by 3-1/4 lengths, in 2:05.3, a lifetime best.  Loose Cannon (Steve Wiseman) finished in second, and Lees Persuader finished another 11-lengths farther back, an inherited third.

"I haven't turned him loose yet at all in any of his four starts.  All he wants to do is win," finished Rios.

In the second and final division, this for the pacers, Ra Ra Steven repeated.

Getting the lead after an eighth of a mile from post-three in the field of five for pilot Rich Wojcio, the gelding cut of first-half fractions of :29.2 & :59.1.  Letting out a notch on his pacer past the five-eighths mile juncture, then urging him once at the midway point of the final-turn, Wojcio made good use of his knowledge.

"He paces the turns well and from what I've seen of the two horses he has to beat, Hollywood Star (Lemoyne Svendsen) & Bloom N Doom (Bruce Clarke), they aren't as handy on the turns," noted Wojcio.  "So I figured if I could get a little cushion at that point that I should try to take advantage of it, and he responded very willingly when I called on him."

Richard Wojcio

Opening up strongly when asked and on top by 2-1/2 lengths at the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:28.2, the son of Little Steven-Ra Ra Rosa was in full gear and looking tough to catch, then under urging in the stretch opened up three-lengths and was home free despite under a strong drive to be kept to his task.

Bred in part by owner Billie Schwartz, and in partnership with David Rachford and trainer Jim Wilkinson Jr., Ra Ra Steven won ($4.40) by 2-3/4 lengths, in 1:57.1, a lifetime mark.  Hollywood Star had a nice late rally to finish in second, and Bloom N Doom finished 3-3/4-lengths farther back, in third.

"Each start he has gotten better, but this was by far his best because that was a pretty decent mile.  My thanks as always to Junior (Jim Wilkinson) and the owners for allowing me to drive the horse," concluded Wojcio.

This week will find an abbreviated schedule, with programs on Friday (November 25) and Saturday (November 26) at 6:00 p.m., but no racing on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24.  The regular three-night schedule will resume on Thursday, December 1 and continues through December 18.  On Friday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m.   Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Diva Las Vegas Leaves Them All Shook Up At Cal Expo

Saturday, November 19, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

Freshmen fillies, on both gaits, were featured at Cal Expo on Friday night (November 18) in a pair of $15,000 California Sires stakes.

In the division for the pacers, Diva Las Vegas "appeared" to be a longshot, but pilot Steve Wiseman disagreed.

Steve Wiseman

"I thought it was a wide open event," said Wiseman.  "But with the way my filly won her qualifier last week - - I thought I had a little bit of a shot - - otherwise I wouldn't have left out of there like I ended up doing."

Firing out and getting the lead after a sixteenth of a mile, Wiseman pushed the pace some before yielding for the pocket to Pismo Beach (Bruce Clarke) after a quarter, timed in :29.1.

"I was sitting right up where I wanted to be."

With the pace now slowing up, Diva Las Vegas had her nose right on the helmet of Clarke through a first-half mile, timed in :59.1.

"I was quite content right where I was and just figured it would be a sprint from the head of the lane home.  And with the headwind in the stretch - - I wanted to be up close."

With Pisno Beach and Twentyone Guns (Lemoyne Svendsen) now hooking up in a duel on the final-turn, a confident Wiseman and his charged eventually moved to second-over position just to the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:28.2.

"I thought I had a good shot because when I came out on Mooney's (Lemoyne Svendsen) back, my filly had a good hold of me."

Wasting no time in moving three-wide very late in the final-turn, Wiseman had good reason.

"I knew I had Pismo Beach and Twentyone Guns put away, I just had to see who was coming from behind."

Moving fast to the lead with less than 3-16ths of a mile to go and going on to the seven-eighths mile pole when urged once, Wiseman now had to deal with Little Anna Mae (Tim Maier), who was gaining while only 1-3/4 lengths behind.

"She fought on when Little Anna Mae came on and raced very good through the stretch to hold her off."

Holding on late while being driven, the daughter of Hi Ho Silverheel's-Prettylittlerebel won ($25.20) by a neck.  Bred in part by owner/trainer Denise Maier in partnership with Wayne Knittel, Diva Las Vegas stopped the timer at 1:58.2, establishing a lifetime mark.  The Denise Maier trained Little Anna Mae finished in second, and Pismo Beach finished 4-1/2 lengths farther back, in third.

"Denise said she was getting better each week, I thought she was getting better each week, and it was a very good race for her," finished Wiseman.

In the division for the trotters, this a non-betting affair held prior to the wagering card, Vari Forgetful won her fourth straight, all Sires Stakes, this event in a walkover.  Bred & owned by Jack Coffey, the Bob Johnson trained youngster trotted fractions for Bruce Clarke of :31, 1:01, 1:31 while on her way to a 2:01.1 final time.

Winners-Over pacers went at it for a purse of $4,500, on which Myra's Hi Ho got the hat-trick.

Cutting out fractions for Jim Lackey of :28.1, :57.3 & 1:27.2, the five year-old was game down the lane to win ($12.20) by one-length.  Owned by Hank Wieseneck & Marty Garey in partnership with trainer Bob Johnson, the gelding paced the mile in 1:55.2.  Shamderock (Luke Plano) finished in second and pushed his career earnings in just two years of racing over $100,000, and Cycle Power (Steve Wiseman) finished nicely late to be third, another three-quarters of one-length farther back.

Live racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (November 19) at 6:00 p.m. (PST).  On Saturday, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Saturday, its Dollar Night, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.

Franks Best Is Strong Like Bull At Cal Expo

Friday, November 17, 2011 - by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity – Cal Expo

A change in recent strategy and being at the top of his game made Franks Best way too tough.

Winners-Over trotters, racing for a $4,500 purse, were featured at Cal Expo on Thursday night (November 17), on which Franks Best won for the 18th time in 48 career starts.

In advance of starting from post-position five in the field of the same number, did driver Lemoyne Svendsen have a game-plan in mind?

"No, I was really just kind of waiting for the gate to swing to make that decision on what I was going to do," stated Svendsen.  "I ended up leaving on a bit of delay when I saw that D Man (Jim Lackey) wasn't leaving from the one-hole."

Moving up on the outside an eighth of a mile past the start, Svendsen took a look at the pocket.

"If James (Kennedy) had kept on going with Putoneonnetformom, I would have dropped in."

Lemoyne Svendsen

With no seat available, Svendsen moved his charge forward and got the lead after 3-16ths of a mile, but with no softening by Kennedy into a :29.3 opening quarter.

"I was surprised a little bit; I thought he would have taken me a little farther.  I kind of liked it that we got there that cheap because it was no effort at all for Frank."

Trotting an easy :30.4 second quarter, Franks Best reached the half-mile juncture in a comfortable 1:00.2, but with his archrival in the pocket.

"I knew we were going to have to sprint from there and I was kind of waiting for the right time to sprint.  But I definitely was concerned with Putoneonnetformom behind me because he races very well out of a hole."

Appearing to want to go on on the final-turn, Svendsen had good reason to let out a notch past the midway point of the final bend.

"I pretty much turned him loose when I did because he felt so good."

Trotting an effortless :29 third-quarter and now on top by two lengths at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:29.2, Svendsen knew his main foe had big time work to do.

"I was almost sure Putoneonnetformom wasn't going to catch me because Frankie was just way too strong."

In full gear to the head of the stretch, Svendsen applied the finishing touches.

"I popped the earplugs at the top of the lane and he was just like a rocket when I pulled them - - he took off."

Now on top by three-lengths with an eighth of a mile to go, Svendsen soon gave his four year-old a wheel-disc urge with a sixteenth of a mile to go to keep him to his task and there'd be no catching the gelding into a :27.4 final-quarter.

"He was amazing through the stretch - - just so fluid and smooth."

Bred, owned & trained by Bob Johnson, Franks Best won ($4.20) by 2-3/4 lengths, in 1:57.1, equaling a lifetime best.  Putoneonnetformom was clearly second best, and the Bob Johnson trained Giles L S Hanover (Steve Wiseman) finished four-lengths farther back, in third.

"It was a good a race as he has given us in a long time," finished Svendsen.

On the 10-race program, leading driver Steve Wiseman had five winners.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (November 18) & Saturday (November 19) night at 6:00 p.m. (PST).  On Friday, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m.   Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered. 

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee).  In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool.  On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.