Tax
Relief, runner-up to the streaking Albion in last week’s top dance; and Haggin
Oaks, the classy mare who defeated that same rival two weeks ago, get the top
billing in Saturday’s (June 16) $6,000 closing-night feature at Cal Expo.
Tax
Relief is a 6-year-old son of Blissfull Hall out of the Direct Scooter mare
Flat Foot Fluzy who is owned by Raquel San Felipe, is trained by Matias Ruiz
and will have Dave Siegel in the sulky.
Since arriving from Fraser Downs in Canada, he has recorded two wins and
two fourth-place finishes from his four trips to the post.
In
last week’s assignment, the Ruiz trainee left into a stalking trip behind his
stable-mate Albion, who was 30 cents on the dollar. Tax Relief put in a solid :27 final quarter
to come within a length of the upset in a strong performance and will no doubt
appreciate not having to face his barn-mate this time around.
Haggin
Oaks lost all chance with an early break in that affair, but two back she did
the track-and-attack to perfection and hung a nose decision on Albion. The Hi Ho Silverheels mare carries the banner
of Shari Burns, Ferris Funk and Jerry Cimini with James Kennedy doing the
driving and training.
A
multiple stakes winner, the dark-hued 6-year-old comes into this weekend with
five wins from her 17 starts on the season, has $107,000 in her bank account
and recorded her 1:53.2 career standard over the Cal Expo layout last season.
Cowboy
Hanover was third in last week’s Winners-Over for owner Debra McCarthy and
driver/trainer Kevin Anderson. The
8-year-old old son of Western Ideal is
the richest member of the cast with his $186,000 bankroll and sports a 1:51.2
mark from three seasons back.
North America Cup Tops Saturday Cal Expo Simulcast Action
Saturday’s
(June 16) simulcast menu includes the full card from Mohawk Raceway,
highlighted by the $1.5 million North America Cup for 3-year-old pacers.
Heading
the cast are last week’s elimination winners Sweet Lou, who set a new track
record with his sparkling 1:47.4 victory; and Dapper Dude, who posted a 9-1
upset when capturing his division.
Sweet
Lou will be hard to deny if he can repeat last week’s mile for pilot Dave
Palone. It was the son of Yankee
Cruiser’s third win in as many starts on the year after coming off an
outstanding 2-year-old campaign that saw him prevailing in 10 of 12
appearances.
Among
those scores was his dominating tally in the Breeders Crown at Woodbine in late
October by seven and a half-lengths, en route to earning divisional
honors. Ron Burke trains and co-owns the
sensational performer.
“I
have so much confidence in him,” said Palone.
“He’s a once in a lifetime horse.
I just kind of stay out of his way and let him do his work.”
In
the other elimination heat, Dapper Dude came from far back to post a head upset
with John Campbell at the controls.
Robert McIntosh trains, co-owns and co-bred this son of The Panderosa,
who was recording his third win from four trips to the post this season.
Live
racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (June 15) & on closing night, Saturday
(June 16) 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 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
(mandatory payoff) will be broadcast on TVG.
