Window Wiper settles into new
home
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Window Wiper turned in a solid
effort in her first start for Robin Clements and David Siegel, checking in a
close third in the Filly and Mare Open after sitting a tracking journey.
The 7-year-old daughter of
Island Fantasy was claimed from her prior effort here and co-owners Clements
and Siegel are looking forward to some good things with their new acquisition.
“I had watched Window Wiper
when she had been in the $6,000 claimers earlier and raced against Windsun T
Bird and almost claimed her a month ago,” trainer Clements related. “I loved
how she was so versatile and could leave a first quarter and how she had a huge
kick coming home.
“I had previously lost a few
horses either claimed or sold, and needed to replace them. I had talked to Dave
and asked if he wanted to partner up with me as he is a great owner and we had
just sold Every Day Hanover and Brandon's Colt had been claimed earlier from
us. Dave loved the mare as well, so we claimed her.”
Window Wiper finished third the
night she was red-tagged as the 3-2 favorite after having some traffic
troubles, then followed with the nice try at the Open level in her initial try
for the new connections.
“She has a few issues and is a
bull of a mare and needs to learn a few manners, but that will come in
time. She is a big and beautiful mare and should fit well with my barn.”
Silverlode gets top
billing in Open Trot
Silverlode has been assigned
the demanding No. 10 post position as she heads the cast for Friday night’s
featured $6,600 Open Trot.
Silverlode is going in
razor-sharp form for Steve and Vickie Desomer, and it will be interesting to
see how driver Luke Plano navigates the extremely outside slot as the mare
looks to continue her winning ways.
Thirteen races will be
presented by Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 5:55 p.m. and there will
also be a California Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters going as a
non-betting event prior to the regular card.
Looking at the co-featured
Open III Pace, Sandestin Hanover gets the nod. The 6-year-old son of
Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Little Bapa LLC, is conditioned by George Reider
and like Silverlode will be guided by Plano.
A 1:50 2/5 winner at a
4-year-old. Sandestin Hanover had one victory last season, a 1:52 4/5 score
that was recorded at Philadelphia Park. He closed out his 2016 campaign by
making his California debut in an Open II contest at this meeting on December
3, where he was no factor.
The Little Bapa
representative subsequently turned in a sharp qualifier on February 4 to get
his new year rolling, then followed that tuner by finishing fifth at the Open
level while chasing home China King in a tough February 10 contest.
Ideal Art comes into this
assignment having captured two of his last three outings and may very well
handle the step up in class. The American Ideal gelding is owned by Kathleen
Plested, Benvenga Racing LLC and Tyler Wiseman with Plested training and Steve
Wiseman handling the lines.
