By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo
Harness
Two divisions of the opening leg of the
Dr. Gary Budahn Trotting Series and an Open Trot featuring stablemates Franks
Best and Inside Broadway get the marquee treatment Friday night at the Watch
and Wager LLC meeting at Cal Expo.
A 14-race card is on tap with first post
set for 5:55 p.m. The action continues Saturday evening with the finale of the
Bob Gordon Pacing Series and a filly/mare Invitational Pace holding the
spotlight.
Franks Best and Inside Broadway are not
only both owned, bred and trained by Bob Johnson, but are half-brothers as they
are out of the American Winner mare Inside Edition. Franks Best is a 6-year-old
by Armbro Scribe, while Inside Broadway is a 4-year-old with Broadway Hall
being the sire.
Franks
Best comes into this assignment with $184,000 in his bank account and a 1:56
2/5 mark that was established at Running Aces last year. He has posed for
snapshots following three of his last five appearances at this meet, romping
home by five and a half-lengths at most recent asking with regular pilot Mooney
Svendsen.
Inside
Broadway had his win streak snapped last time when asked to do his work from
the demanding No. 10 post position. He had rattled off three straight
impressive victories coming into that mile with James Kennedy at the controls,
including a dead-heat with his half-brother in the November 29 Invitational.
Axle
is looking to make amends after finishing second as the 3-5 favorite in that
last clash at the head of the division. The 4-year-old son of Hard Rock is
conditioned by George Reider, who also co-owns with driver Dave Siegel, Bob
Thronson and Greg Robinson. He has a victory and two runner-up finishes from
his last three trips to the post here.
Looking
at the two divisions of the Budahn, High Dollar comes into the series having
posed for pictures following three of his last four starts for owner Kent Fox
and driver/trainer Tim Maier. Silverlode is also a nice fit under these
conditions with a race under the belt for Vickie and Steve Desomer.
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BEGINNING
THIS WEEK, THE PICK 4 GUARANTEE HAS BEEN RAISED TO $20,000 ON FRIDAYS AND
$25,000 ON SATURDAYS.
Just Plum Lucky sports caring connections
While
Just Plum Lucky has been a little too comfortable with the minor placings over
the last couple of seasons, with 20 runner-up finishes to go with her seven
victories, Richard and Marlene Thomas’ homebred comes to play each and every
week and does sport two snapshots at the meeting.
Trained
by George Reider and handled by the 20-year-old phenom Tyler Smith in her last
two appearances, the dark-hued daughter of Power Of Art was unable to match
strides with Lust in the lane but did keep to her task to complete the exacta
as the public choice at most recent asking.
“She’s a gem consistency, but she is the
bridesmaid an awful lot,” Reider said. “If l was going to have a family horse,
she fits the bill. Rick to Marlene really like her, and it shows since they
lost the horse once and claimed her back..
“She
definitely has her share of problems, but my assistant trainer Kim Hines knows
her like a book it and really takes care of her and we love having her in the
barn.”
Reider was around during the Western Harness Racing
days at Hollywood Park and like many people is saddened by the closing of that track,
even though they haven’t had the trotters and pacers there for decades.
“I
have so many memories,” George said. “I got the chance to watch Niatross and I
was really impressed by Direct Scooter. Steve Desomer also had a little trotter
named Dante Jay who was so much fun to watch week in and week out.
“Watching
Shelly Goudreau drive was something, and hearing Robin Burns call those races
was really special. There was so much excitement in the stands with the big
crowds and movie stars, and that’s the way I like to remember Hollywood Park.”
