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Friday, April 6, 2012

Calx1 - Albion Holds Aces In Saturday Featured Pace At Cal Expo

Albion, who has clicked in half of his 12 trips to the post this season and a romping winner at this top rung last week, looks to continue his good work in Saturday night’s (April 7) featured $4,500 Winners-Over Pace at Cal Expo.

A 6-year-old son of The Panderosa out of the Artsplace mare Arcatraz, Albion is conditioned by Matias Ruiz, who also co-owns with Dan Tullio and James Mascola.  Luke Plano will once again handle the lines.

The dark-hued performer is getting close to the $100,000 earnings plateau and sports a 1:51.1 lifetime standard that was established last year at the Meadowlands.  It was among the 10 wins he recorded from 33 appearances.

Albion comes into this assignment off two completely dominating scores.  Racing under optional claiming conditions on March 24, he brushed to the lead at the half, opened up turning for home and came to the wire with seven lengths to spare in a 1:53.1 tour.  His most recent decision at this top level was pretty much a carbon copy, as Plano moved to the top by the half, held a safe advantage turning for home and prevailed by four and a quarter lengths.

Cycle Power won back-to-back races on March 17 and 23 in impressive style before checking in fourth behind Albion last weekend.  Nathalie Tremblay owns and trains the Cambest offspring and James Kennedy has the assignment.  He likes to finish his races faster than he starts them and is dangerous if he can get a little help up front.

Amigo De Garcia is still looking for his initial snapshot of 2012 but has been knocking on the door for owner Robert Bacon and driver/trainer Steve Wiseman.  He clicked eight times last season and was runner-up in both the March 10 and March 23 clashes at this top level.

One And Only recorded his most recent decision off a class drop on March 2 for trainer Liberio Pacheco and Jim Lackey will guide, while Ivegotwhatuneed has gone some big miles over this layout and moves back up to the top level for conditioner Bob Johnson with Lemoyne Svendsen at the controls.


Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (April 6) & Saturday (April 7) 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.

Cal Expo currently offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s.  Additionally, all Late Pick 4’s now come with an increased $20,000-guaranteed gross pool.  Also, the Friday Late Pick 4 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.