By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
After having to cancel last
week due to heavy smoke from the Paradise fire, racing is set to resume at Cal
Expo Friday night with Mr Varsity heading the $4,800 pacing feature from the
outside slot.
First post for the nine-race
Watch and Wager LLC program is 7:10 p.m.
Mr Varsity is a 4-year-old
son of Roll With Joe who is owned by Nikki Hudson and Dave Haness and is reined
and trained by Luke Plano. His first start at the meet came at the Open level
and he had to settle for a third-place check after sitting a pocket trip as the
7-5 choice.
Mr Varsity was a winner this
year at Hoosier Park and sports a 1:50 mark that was established last season at
the Meadowlands. He should be very much at home in this conditioned affair, but
the No. 9 post will certainly make things more challenging.
The Plano barn will also be
represented by Why Ask Why in the headliner with Chip Lackey guiding. The
gelding has eight victories on his card from 35 trips to the post this season,
including a lifetime best-equaling 1:53 2/5 tour here early in the year.
He was last seen taking bows
following a victory on September 21 at Hawthorne where he lit up the board at
46-1 after getting up by a neck that evening. The missed time is the biggest
question mark with this pacer.
Cantholdmebackmack looms a
major player with a race under his belt and a positive switch from the 9 post
to the No. 3 slot for this assignment. Jessie Pacheco owns and trains and Steve
Wiseman will once again be doing the honors. Completing the field are General
Time, Almost Cut My Hair, Bettor in The Bank, Mister Hat, Crusin For You and
Swagsasaururex.
