PLANO IN DEMAND AND IN COMMAND
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal
Expo Harness
As far as Luke Plano’s Friday and Saturday nights
are concerned, it’s safe to say he’s booked. As an example, Friday’s program
finds Plano suiting up for 13 of the 15 races on the evening, while Saturday
night has the pilot competing in all but one of the 15 contests.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Plano noted as he looks for his
second straight driving title under the Watch and Wager LLC banner. “Ideally,
if I was to sit out a couple, I would just as soon they be at the beginning or
the end of the night, because about a 12-race card is perfect and I prefer to
drive them all.”
Plano learned his lessons well from his father Rick,
who was a mainstay here in California for many years and now does his reining
and training in Florida and New York. “He taught me a lot, and I guess the area
where I’ve improved the most is knowing the horses.
“It’s not just the ones I’m driving, but the ones
I’m in there against. Once I get the program, I do quite a bit of studying, and
having just two horses of my own right now allows me a lot more time. I’d say
that is the biggest plus I have out there.”
Luke is currently locked in a pretty good battle
with Steve Wiseman for driving honors at the current stand, which is scheduled
to conclude at the end of May. Both drivers are very much in demand and make
the most of their opportunities. “Steve and I are good friends and it means a
lot to win the title and have the bragging rights,” Plano noted.
As for when the meet concludes, Plano has gone to
New York in the past, but is considering a trip to Minnesota this summer. “A
lot of the horsemen here are going to Running Aces, so I may just follow them
there because I know I’ll have the opportunities.”
Of more immediate concern, there are some 27 chances
to land in the winner’s circle over the next two nights, and Luke plans to make
the most of them.
OPEN TROT BRINGS OUT SHARP PERFORMERS
K D Amazin Spirit, who is the midst of a career year
for his owner/breeder/trainer Keith Willey and regular driver Scott Cisco,
looks to earn his seventh victory from eight seasonal appearances in Friday
evening’s $6,000 Open Trot at the Watch and Wager LLC meet at Cal Expo.
Among those set to line up against the streaking KD
Amaziin Spirit are Fort Valley As, who just missed after carving out all the
fractions in his first start of the year for Jennifer Sabot; and Franky
Provolone, who was third in that blanket finish for owner Robin Clements and
conditioner Vickie Desomer.
K D Amazin Spirit is a 7-year-old son of Thadrow out
of the Monterey Judge mare K D Charm who is the pride and joy of the Willey
barn. He is going in razor sharp form at the moment, putting his versatility on
display in the process. He went coast-to-coast for Cisco two back, then came
from last to get the job done in his most recent score while prevailing in that
three-horse photo.
Fort Valley AS needed his outing and could prove a
very elusive target this time around with Luke Plano in the sulky. The son of
Tom Ridge is the richest member of the cast with his $242,000 bank account and
sports a 1:55 standard that was established last season.
Franky Provolone has proven to be an excellent claim
by Clements and Desomer and Tim Maier will handle the lines. He was a 15-time
victor last season and set his 1:56 3/5 mark when capturing an Open Handicap
here on February 22. He sat a pocket trip behind Fort Valley AS last time and
fought it out gamely that night.
Completing the field are Franks Best with Steve
Wiseman at the controls; Shelby County for Rocky Stidham; Stars and Glides with
Bruce Clarke giving directions. The feature goes as the third on a 15-race
program with a 5:42 Pacific Time first post.
