Marlin Hanover is a 5-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight and the Big Towner mare Maura Hanover who carries the banner of Richard Morita and David Yamada with Liberio Pacheco the conditioner and Plano returning in the sulky.
In last week’s top dance for the pacers, the bay performer brushed to command past the quarter, moderated the fractions to the stretch and then had enough left to hold safe over the pocket-sitting One And Only by a neck in a 1:54.3 performance. It was the first win in three appearances on the season for Marlin Hanover, who sports a 1:54 flat career standard from last year.
One And Only has fired nothing but bullets in his three trips to the post in 2012, coming away with a win and two runner-up finishes. Another son of Bettor’s Delight, he also competes for the team of Morita and Yamada and trainer Pacheco with Jim Lackey once again doing the honors.
One And Only took the measure of a softer group on January 7, drawing away by two lengths that evening without being asked for his best. He was second to Cycle Power at this level the following week, then came a :26.4 final quarter to just miss to his barn-mate in another strong mile at most recent asking. e won eight of 28 tries last season while establishing his 1:54.2 lifetime mark. Taking on this pair are Cycle Power, Haggin Oaks and Amigo De Garcia.
Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (January 27) & Saturday (January 28) at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m. On Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4 each, while a Burger with fries is offered at $5. Saturday night’s simulcast action includes three stakes finals from the Meadowlands, headed by the $110,500 Presidential with Golden Receiver getting the top billing. The Presidential shares the marquee with the $74,000 Complex and $73,000 Clyde Hirt finals.
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.
