CalX1 - Winners-Over Pace Lures Haggin Oaks On Saturday At Cal Expo

Haggin Oaks, coming off two straight wins over the boys at the top rung, gets the marquee treatment at Cal Expo in Saturday night’s (January 21) $4,500 Winners-over Pace. She will once again do her work from the assigned outside post with trainer James Kennedy in the sulky.

A 6-year-old homebred daughter of Hi Ho Silverheels, Haggin Oaks carries the banner of Shari Burns, Ferris Funk and Gerald Cimini. She is looking to add to a $91,000 bankroll and sports a 1:53.2 lifetime standard that was established here last season.

The Kennedy trainee sat a pocket journey when prevailing in the December 31 clash at this top level, then took matters into her own hands two weeks ago when she made every pole a winning one. She will be dangerous no matter how things settle in the opening stages.

Marlin Hanover is looking to make amends after settling for minor prizes in his last three starts as the public choice. Prior to that, he had rattled off three wins from four starts to close out his 2011 campaign in style, including his 1:54 mark.

The 5-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight races for Richard Morita and David Yamada, takes his lessons from Liberio Pacheco and has Luke Plano once again at the helm. He set all the pace last time, was engaged with an eighth of a mile to go and weakened to fourth behind the fast-finishing Cycle Power, beaten only a neck for the runner-up spot.

Pacheco will also send out One And Only, who will have the services of Jim Lackey on Saturday night. The field is completed by Amigo De Garcia for driver/trainer Steve Wiseman and Glad To Be Back, who is up in class in search of another victory while departing from the cozy one-hole for trainer Jim Wilkinson Jr. and pilot Rich Wojcio.