Lodi Dorian Blues
ignites when it counts
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
The long-fused trotter Lodi
Dorian Blues continued his every other race a winner pattern last week, doing
the track-and-attack to perfection to score going away with Steve Wiseman in
the sulky.
The 8-year-old
California-bred son of New Age Hanover goes about his business for Scott
Ehrlich and George McCrystal with Kathleen Plested the conditioner and Lodi
Dorian Blues was shaving a full second off his lifetime mark with the 1:56 1/5
clocking.
“I've owned
horses since 1988,” said McCrystal. “From the very first time I started playing
the races, I always liked closers, especially trotters that could close.
He caught my eye early on because he always seemed to try hard.
“Since
my association with Steve and Kathie, I've had a lot of success.
When looking for a trotter, this little guy seemed to fit the bill.
“I've
owned faster horses, but in the 29 years I've been an owner, I've never had one
that tries as hard as he does every time he gets to race. Because of
that, he's my favorite horse.”
As
for Wiseman, who has been at the controls for two of Lodi Darian Blues’ last
four victories, he notes the trotter is a workmanlike individual with the right
attitude. “He's an honest little horse who gives his all on the track He's
a pleasure to be around and great in the barn.”
Can
the Ehrlich/McCrystal colorbearer make it two straight trips to the charmed
enclosure? Stay tuned.
Barbarian eyes encore
in Open Pace
Barbarian, fresh from a
coast-to-coast score at the head of the class, looks to keep the momentum going
in Friday night’s featured $6,600 Open Pace.
There will be 13 races
presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 5.55
p.m. The feature will go as the eighth race and there will also be a
non-betting California Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters decided before the
regular program.
A 6-year-old son of
Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare Righteous Renee, Barbarian is
owned by Robert Orr, takes his lessons from Sparky Clarke and will be handled
by Luke Plano.
Plano climbed behind the
pacer for the first time two weeks ago and it proved to be a great combination.
Sent off as the 7-2 third choice, Barbarian zipped right to the front and
rattled off modest fractions of :28 3/5 and :57 4/5 without pressure before
picking up the pace.
The Orr colorbeared turned
things on in the stretch, motoring away by four and a half-lengths over Why Ask
Why while stopping the timer in 1:52 4/5 that evening. He set his lifetime mark
of 1:51 3/5 as a 3-year-old.
Why Ask Why has been knocking
on the door with runner-up efforts in the last two dances at the head of the
class for the pacers. The 7-year-old son of No Pan Intended races for Windy
City Farm and is reined and trained by Chip Lackey, with his most recent
victory coming in an Open II event here on January 21 as the 6-5 choice.
Completing the field are
Jazzmanian Devil, Doc’s Deal, Bettermeboy, China King, Pancetta and McFoolery, with Barbarian leaving from the outside
slot in the field of eight.
