By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
A $5,600 Open 2 Pace is the featured attraction
Saturday night, as the curtain falls on the winter/spring Watch and Wager LLC
meeting at Cal Expo.
“We
want to thank the horsemen and the fans for their support,” said General
Manager Chris Schick. "We look forward to returning in October for our
third year of racing and are planning to implement some exciting new
things, including a Jackpot Pick Six.”
I’m
An Athlete gets top billing in the main event. The 4-year-old son of Art Major
is owned by Ronald Retting-Zucchi with Gretchen Smith the conditioner and Tim Maier
handling the lines.
The
hard-hitting gelding has posed for pictures following four of his 18
appearances on the season. His most recent victory came in an Open 3 event on
April 11, where he prevailed by two and a quarter lengths with Patrick Galbraith
at the controls and lowered his lifetime mark to 1:53 2/5 in the process.
Since
that outing, I’m An Athlete has had to settle for a second and a pair of
thirds, including a show finish behind Shax in last week’s Open Handicap Pace.
He should be very much at home in this line-up.
Taking
him on are Lady’s Art with Chip Lackey’ Lifetime Louie, David Siegel; Gold
Duece for Gene Vallandingham; Scarboro Hanover; Silver Spir, Sean Smithpeters;
Split Ticket, Mooney Svendsen; Oompa Loompa; Laissez Moi Passer, Williams
Hernandez; and Ideal Smile, Steve Wiseman.
A
13-race card is on tap with first post set for 5::45 p.m. with the feature
going as the seventh event on the evening.
Axle taking
his show on the road
Axle
finished up this meet strongly for trainer George Reider, handling a
conditioned field two weeks ago and then just missing to Sharpshootennorris in
the Open Trot at most recent asking.
“He’s
going to Running Aces in Minnesota along with 11 of his barnmates,” Reider
said. “That’s where we claimed him last year and he won his first start for us
back there. He really seems to like that track, because it’s five-eighths with
a different surface.”
While
assistant trainer Kim Hines was on site last year at Running Aces, George
explained that he will be joining her for this summer’s assault. “I’ve decided
to come along this year and hopefully we’ll have a good meet.”
In
the meantime, Reider reports that he will have plenty of performers remaining
in California and they will be eyeing the return of racing here in October.
“I’ve leaving a half-dozen 2-year-olds and some race
horses at the farm here, and I’ll be back in August to resume their training
schedule. I’m really looking to forward to coming back and getting them ready
for the next meet.”
THIS IS CLOSING NIGHT, WHICH
MEANS THERE WILL BE MANDATORY PAYOUTS IN ALL WAGERS. A REMINDER THERE IS A
REDUCED 16 PERCENT TAKEOUT RATE ON THE 50-CENT PICK 5; THE 20-CENT PICK 4 AND
THE 10-CENT HI-FIVE ON THE NIGHTCAP.
