By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo
Harness
Bob Gordon Series, pair of Invitationals set
Two
divisions of the first leg of the Bob Gordon Pacing Series; an Invitational
Pace headed by Pancetta and a distaff Invitational featuring Show Runner and
Haggin Oaks are the main events on Saturday night’s 14-race program at Cal
Expo.
Pancetta
made a triumphant return to California last week for owners Richard Morita and
David Yamada, trainer Lino Pachecho and pilot Luke Plano. Sent off the 2-1
second choice in his first start since November 9 at Yonkers, he made a bold
brush to the lead at the half and went on to a four-length decision in a snappy
1:52 2/5 final clocking.
The
4-year-old son of No Pan Intended and the Life Sign mare Gingerbread Square is
now just $7,000 shy of reaching the $200,000 earnings plateau and established
his 1:51 1/5 standard earlier this season over the five-eighths Pocono Downs
oval. He has been assigned the testing No. 10 post position.
Leaving
from the from the first six slots are It’s Getting Hairy (Tim Maier); One And
Only (Chip Lackey); Somethinginthewind (Gene Vallandingham); Stueben Jumpinjack
(James Kennedy); Mobil Big John (Tyler Smith) and Emery Vern (Dave Siegel).
The
Bob Gordon Series will go as the third and fifth races on the card and the Gene
Vallandingham barn is well represented with three performers in the first
division and a pair in the second. He will guide After Alimony in the first and
Party Cove in the other section.
Looking at the distaff Invite, Show Runner is a
daughter of Little Steven and the Tyler’s Mark mare Peace Runner who comes into
this assignment with four straight wins and 18 snapshots overall from here 34
trips to the post. Denise Maier and Eileen Brodbar own with Tim Maier reigning
and training.
A
1:52 3/5 victress this summer at Running Aces, Show Runner is fresh from two
Sire Stakes score, an Invitational victory and a dominating Open performance.
Sent off the 1-9 chalk in last week’s stakes gathering, she made every pole a
winning one while showing the way home by a length over arch-rival and
pocket-sitting Strings. No matter how things shake out early, she’ll be tough
right back.
