A
mixture of conditioned and claimers distaffers, racing for a purse of $3,600,
were featured at Cal Expo on Friday night (February 24), on which Frankly
Scarlett won for the 28th time.
In
advance of starting on the outside in the field of six, trainer Steve Wiseman
knew what he needed and where he needed to be.
"I
thought I had a decent shot if I got the right trip - - which as it turns out
didn't happen," stated Wiseman.
"As far as strategy, I figured Blue Note (Luke Plano), who hadn't
raced since November 18, needed a start.
So I figured I could leave to try to take a shot and get in front of
her."
Leaving
and tucking in fourth as the field just entered the first-turn, Wiseman didn't
mind that he may have to sit, or come first-over.
"I
was quite content with the intention of trying to flush out Majestic Lass
(Lemoyne Svendsen)."
Remaining
in the cleanup spot through a deliberate wind-aided second-quarter into a :58.3
first-half, Wiseman's plan needed some different bait.
"I
was trying to get Mooney (Lemoyne Svendsen) to pull a couple of times to the
half, but I couldn't get him to bite, so I figured I had to be first-up. I, however, wasn't really concerned because
she felt pretty good and strong on the bit at that point."
Moving
first-over to the five-eighths mile pole and pacing nicely, the eight year-old
gained to the wheel of the pace-setting Sleigh Belle (Scott Cisco) to the
three-quarter mile pole (1:28), thus prompting Cisco to pop the earplugs of his
charge.
"I
figured Sleigh Belle would be tough once we straightened out because I know her
best game is in the lane - - which meant my mare would have to work hard to get
by her. But my horse still felt pretty
good at that point."
With
Sleigh Belle leading and maintaining a 1-1/2 length lead in the stretch,
Wiseman went to work on his mare at mid-stretch.
"She
did everything I asked of her when I got after her, then really got going in
the last sixteenth of a mile, which is her, because she likes to race, and she
was able to get up in the last steps."
Surging
late into a headwind, Frankly Scarlett got up at the wire to win ($6.60) by a
half of one-length, while pacing a :27.3 final-quarter. Owned by Robert Bacon, the daughter of Little
Steven-Romantic Music stopped the timer at 1:55.4. Sleigh Belle had to settle for the place
honors, and Bewareofthisaffair (James Kennedy), who never had much room,
finished 1-1/4 lengths farther back, in third.
"She's
a tough old mare for the problems that she has and never ceases to amaze
me. She fought all the way to the wire
and raced super - - it was a very good race for her," finished Wiseman.
On
Friday night, driver Lemoyne Svendsen not only started off the 15-race program
with a winner behind Dudis Angel, but the triumph was his 2,700th career
victory.
Live
racing continues at Cal Expo on Saturday (February 25) at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On Saturday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour from
4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4 each,
while Hotdogs, Fries & Sodas are offered at $2 apiece.
Cal
Expo currently offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s
(Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee). Beginning February 24, all Late Pick 4’s will
now come with an increased $15,000-guaranteed gross pool. Also starting this weekend, the Friday Late
Pick 4’s will offer a 0% takeout on all winning wagers made on track or at
Twinspires.com, while the Saturday Late Pick 4 will be broadcast on TVG.
